Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katie Seamons. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Katie with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I was raised by entrepreneurs so I knew what that looked like from a young age.
I don’t know that I really learned work ethic from anywhere specifically. I just know that growth and opportunity only come from work in some form or another.
I’ve developed a mindset of I can either dwell on what’s wrong or lacking, orrr…. I can do what is in my power and control to improve it to the best of my ability. It’s not often pretty at first, but its still better than nothing or at least a step or two closer to the end goal.
My husband and I prioritized my being a stay at home mom for 15 years to our 3 boys. During that time my husband was an owner-operater in the trucking industry. During Covid and for a bit after I homeschooled our boys. When it came time for them to go back to school, it was time to start a career. I had a side hustle of cinnamon rolls, orange rolls, and dinner rolls during the holidays. It’s how we handled the extra expenses during the holidays. So after applying for a few jobs that didn’t pan out, I decided to see where the side hustle could go!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a proud wife and mom, and fairly recently added entrepreneur to the list!
9.5 years ago I had a friend that needed help paying for her educational program. Her husband at the time didn’t want to finish funding it and she thought she was going to have to quit. I told her quitting the program wasn’t the solution, I would help figure something out. We sold pies for thanksgiving. We sold 63 pies and made it about half way to the end goal. We needed another one. So I developed a roll recipe and sold them for Christmas. We reached our goal! I thought it was a one-and-done. Didn’t think anything of it. The next year people asked if I was going to make them again. I hadn’t planned on it but thought it would be helpful to pay for Christmas. It grew every year to eventually 200 dozen rolls during the holiday season. A year and a half ago that side hustle turned into a full time gig.
My husband and I prioritized my being a stay at home mom for 15 years to our 3 boys. During that time my husband was an owner-operater in the trucking industry. During Covid and for a bit after I homeschooled our boys. When it came time for them to go back to school, it was time to start a career. I had a side hustle of cinnamon rolls, orange rolls, and dinner rolls during the holidays. It’s how we handled the extra expenses during the holidays. So after applying for a few jobs that didn’t pan out, I decided to see where the side hustle could go!
Katie’s Bakes started at the Greeley Farmers Market, now it has expanded to Estes Park Farmers Market, and Cheyenne’s Community Connections Farmers Market that runs from August-mid October. We also have expanded into a food trailer and catering company that sets up for events, sports tournaments, rodeos, and anywhere there are enough hungry people!
My husband owns and runs SeaMac Excavation. We partner with plumbers and electricians, homeowners, and anybody who has more dirt or rocks to move than they’d want to with a shovel. Septic certified!
We dig holes AND make rolls in our family!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Being a self starter is so important as a business owner. There isn’t anybody telling you when to do anything.
Resiliency- being able to bounce back when things go wrong. Because they WILL go wrong. Learn to acknowledge when things are terrible. Know that it isn’t the end all-be all. Theres always a rebound and room for improvement.
Optimism- knowing that things will work out eventually. And no work is wasted work. At the very least… you will learn something!
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
What has been the most helpful to me is meeting and learning from other business owners in the area. I joined Chamber of Commerces in the area and met so many amazing people doing so many amazing things. The seminars they put on were so helpful. I also have taken a few classes that the SBDC has put out, participated in their Women’s Day last year.
I also got involved with a few big events in the area. Greeley Stampede and the Farm Show.
Doing some of these things take me out of my comfort zone. Waaaay out. But no growth comes out of staying cozy.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/katiesbakes970
Image Credits
Some Photos were taken by AJO photography.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
