Meet Kat Wade

 

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kat Wade. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kat , looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic is deeply rooted in my upbringing, thanks to my parents, who instilled in me the importance of hard work and paving my own way from an early age. They taught me that nothing in life comes for free—if you want something, you have to earn it. Growing up, I wasn’t handed things on a silver platter. Instead, I learned early on that effort and determination were the keys to achieving my goals.

A defining moment came during my junior year of high school when I was 15. I was taking German and had the chance to go on a two-week class trip to Germany—a dream for any teenager, especially one who loved the idea of traveling to Europe with friends. My parents told me I could only go if I raised the money myself. It felt daunting at first, but it was also a powerful lesson in responsibility and perseverance. I got a job working after school and every weekend at a retirement home, saving every penny until I had enough to fund the trip. Not only did the experience of traveling to Germany become a cherished memory, but the journey to get there taught me the value of setting a goal, working toward it diligently, and savoring the reward of my own hard work.

That sense of responsibility carried over into every job I held as a teenager. I worked at a pet shop, managed shifts at an ice cream shop, made sandwiches at a country club, and even took on multiple restaurant jobs. I did it all! Each role shaped my character in unique ways. I learned how to show up on time, take pride in my work, and adapt to different environments. I also gained a deep appreciation for the people working behind the scenes. To this day, I believe everyone should experience working in the service industry—it’s a crash course in discipline, the value of hard work, and an appreciation for teamwork.

The foundation my parents instilled in me carried over to my adult life. Early in my career, I had incredible mentors who reinforced the idea that hard work would pay off—and it did. I earned two promotions within my first few years at my first post-college job, and the lessons I learned from those experiences remain with me today.

Looking back, all of these jobs and experiences taught me invaluable lessons about responsibility, teamwork, and the satisfaction of earning my way. They’ve shaped who I am, and they continue to fuel my work ethic every day. I’ll always credit my parents for laying that foundation and for showing me that hard work doesn’t just lead to accomplishments—it shapes the person you become.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’ve been a marketing executive for more than 15 years, with a strong focus on the healthcare industry. Throughout my career, I’ve been passionate about building meaningful relationships and fostering collaboration between communities, brands, and audiences.

Because of my deep passion for wellness, I had always dreamed of bringing a unique wellness experience to the Tampa community—something that didn’t yet exist here. My husband and I spent a year exploring different opportunities. We spoke with a ton of different brands, but none felt like “the one.” Then we found The Tox®. There were so many variables that set The Tox apart from the other brands we explored, but what set The Tox apart was its innovative approach to an often-overlooked area of wellness: lymphatic health. With its focus on the lymphatic and digestive systems to detoxify the body and mind – the brand truly aligned with my passion for helping people feel and look their best. When I first experienced The Tox® Technique, founded by Courtney Yeager, at their SoHo studio in New York City, I knew immediately that it was the one. The experience was transformative—not only did I see visible changes in my appearance, but I also felt incredible. I felt lighter, more energized, and well-rested. It was unlike anything I’d ever tried, and I couldn’t wait to share it with others.

Now, I am the proud owner of The Tox Tampa that’s getting ready to open its doors soon. Our mission goes far beyond offering a service—we’re dedicated to creating a community rooted in empowerment, inclusivity, self-love, and body positivity. Every person who steps into my studio should feel these values reflected in their experience. I want our clients to love not only how they look but also how they feel after every treatment because a healthy body is a beautiful body. For us, The Tox is more than a treatment—it’s a lifestyle.

I’m also thrilled to expand further by opening a location in Sarasota later in 2025. I can’t wait to extend this transformative experience to even more people and continue building a community where wellness and self-care are celebrated.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

“The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity.” -Amelia Earhart

Three things have been the most impactful in my journey: the skill of marketing and cross-collaboration, the quality of empathy, and the determination to see my goals through. Each has played a critical role in shaping who I am and what I’ve been able to accomplish.

Marketing: The ability to effectively market ideas, products, or even yourself is invaluable. Marketing isn’t just about advertising—it’s about understanding people, knowing how to tell a compelling story, and creating connections. For me, it’s been a tool to build bridges between brands and audiences, communities and opportunities. My advice for developing this skill is to stay curious, keep learning, and pay attention to how great brands communicate. Study what resonates with you and why—it’s the foundation for becoming a great marketer.

Empathy: Empathy has been a cornerstone of my ability to connect with people, whether it’s team members, clients, or customers. When you can truly put yourself in someone else’s shoes, you build trust, foster collaboration, and create solutions that genuinely help people. To grow empathy, focus on active listening. Ask questions, seek to understand others’ perspectives, and be open to seeing the world through their eyes. Empathy is a superpower in any industry (and also in your personal life).

Determination: Determination has been the driving force behind everything I’ve achieved. It’s easy to set big goals, but it takes grit (and sweat and tears) to keep pushing forward when things don’t go as planned. There will always be obstacles, and you will definitely trip and fall along the way, but if you are determined enough-it will keep you going.
For those early in their journey, I can’t stress enough how important it is to never give up on your dreams. Shoot for the moon, even if it feels impossible. Hiccups and setbacks are inevitable—they’re part of life. But if you work hard, stay focused, and believe in yourself, you can truly make anything happen.

At the end of the day, success is as much about persistence as it is about talent or opportunity. So, stay resilient, embrace the challenges, and remember that every step forward is a step closer to where you want to be. It’s also important to avoid the trap of comparing your journey to someone else’s. Everyone’s path is different, and measuring your success against others can lead to doubt and discouragement. Focus on your own progress and CELEBRATE THE WINS (no matter how small they may seem)! True success is about becoming the best version of yourself, not about competing with others.

What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?

A year ago, I made the scary but exciting decision to purchase a franchise and start my own business. Since then, I feel like my life has been a constant exercise in growth and improvement because I’ve been navigating uncharted territory. I had never done this before, so every single step in the process has been a learning lesson. From purchasing the business, to negotiating commercial real estate leases, hiring a general contractor, figuring out business insurance requirements, handling payroll and accounting, and building a team—I’ve made plenty (and I mean PLENTY) of mistakes along the way. But each mistake has come with a valuable lesson, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

One area where I’ve grown but still have room to improve is learning to slow down and take a higher-level, big-picture view of decisions. In the early stages, I often found myself being reactive, rushing to make decisions just to keep things moving forward. This sometimes resulted in hasty choices that I later had to revisit or redo. I’ve learned that taking the time to think things through thoroughly not only saves time in the long run but also reduces unnecessary stress.

Speaking of stress, this past year has been the most stressful time of my life. I’ve learned that managing stress isn’t just about getting through the day—it’s about making intentional time to prioritize my own health and well-being. I’m realizing more and more that if I’m not healthy, the business won’t be healthy either. This has been a major area for improvement, and I’m working on carving out time for self-care, whether that’s exercising, eating well, or just stepping away to recharge.

Another area of growth for me has been learning to say “no” and set boundaries. Starting a business demands a lot of time and energy, and I’ve had to recognize that not everything and everyone fits into the season of life I’m currently in—and that’s OK. Saying “no” to things that no longer serve me isn’t easy, but it’s necessary to focus on what truly matters and stay aligned with my goals.

Overall, this journey has stretched me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. It’s been challenging, but it’s also been incredibly rewarding. The lessons I’ve learned this past year will continue to shape how I grow as a person and as a business owner moving forward.

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