We’re looking forward to introducing you to Katy Impellizzeri. Check out our conversation below.
Katy, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
People often assume Ethikli is super expensive because the shop is “pretty,” but accessibility is at the core of what we do. Our Pay-It-Forward Board and Memberships act as a mutual aid system where anyone can take free or discounted grocery credits, no questions asked. We also offer sliding-scale memberships for those who need a little extra help. And while we carry some higher-end specialty snacks, we always price our staple items—like rice, nuts, and beans—as low as possible.
We even have unhoused neighbors who shop with us regularly because the community has their back. Ethikli isn’t about exclusivity—it’s about making ethical, low-waste food truly accessible to everyone.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Katy Impellizzeri, founder of Ethikli Sustainable Market, a low-waste, vegan grocery store that exists to help people shop in alignment with their values and stop funding the oligarchy. We’re here to make boycotting exploitative corporations like Amazon not only possible, but convenient—because we know progress matters more than perfection.
Right now, we’re expanding our online presence so more people can access ethical, low-waste alternatives without giving up the convenience they’re used to. We’re even working on adding our Pay-It-Forward mutual aid credits online, so the same community care we offer in-store can reach anyone, anywhere. Ethikli is about creating real-world solutions: accessible, community-driven, and rooted in the belief that small, imperfect actions—multiplied by many—can change the system.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My parents both shaped my work ethic in different ways. My mom worked a steady 9–5 and always made sure we had everything we needed, no matter how tired she was. But my dad is the one who truly inspired me to become an entrepreneur. He immigrated from Sicily at eight years old, taught himself English, and as the oldest sibling, had to take care of everything for his parents because they didn’t speak the language. He started with almost nothing, worked any job he could, opened a small barber shop and Italian deli, and eventually built the Italian restaurant he now runs in Herndon, VA.
What inspires me most is that, even after all his hard work, he makes it a point to help others any way he can. His example taught me that building something meaningful isn’t just about success—it’s about using what you’ve built to care for your community.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
YES. All the time. There are definitely moments when it feels overwhelming, and I consider calling it quits. Especially in the beginning, when I wore all the hats, but even now, with an amazing team of fellow worker-owners, running a small, mission-driven business isn’t for the faint of heart. Sometimes we aren’t as profitable as we need to be, and I dip into my savings—or even my credit cards—to keep us going. But every time I think about stepping back, I remember why I started Ethikli: to build a better system, one that doesn’t leave a trail of suffering and destruction behind everything we buy.
I couldn’t do this without my team. Their passion and support remind me every day that we’re building something bigger than ourselves. Seeing our community show up—whether it’s someone using a Pay-It-Forward credit or a regular telling me they’ve stopped shopping on Amazon because of us—fuels me to keep going, because the impact makes every hard day worth it.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I believe food and water are basic human rights, and the whole idea of Ethikli is to make them accessible to everyone—no matter their financial situation or where they live. My vision is to grow our mutual aid system so anyone in the country can walk or bike to an Ethikli or order everything they need online, even if they have no money. That includes expanding our Pay-It-Forward credits online, building more Ethikli locations, and creating community produce programs where neighbors can donate and take free fruits and vegetables.
It may take years, but I’m committed to building a system where no one has to go without, and where ethical, low-waste food is truly accessible to all.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes. When I dropped out of college, I started a successful pet-sitting business, bought a house and car with it, and had a long-term boyfriend who I was on track to start a family with—I was basically living the dream most people think will make them happy. But I realized I wasn’t fulfilled. On paper, I had everything I was “supposed” to want, yet I felt stuck and disconnected from the life I actually wanted to live.
So, I sold it all and moved to California alone, with no friends or family, to start over and build a life that felt true to me. It’s been much more challenging, but it’s also been infinitely more meaningful—and I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ethikli.com
- Instagram: @ethikli | @katy_imp
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katy-impellizzeri/
Image Credits
I can email photos separately — I am out of time for today!
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
