Meet Katrina Hart

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katrina Hart a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Katrina 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 get my work ethic from my parents. Both of them were incredibly hard workers, and I grew up watching their example. They valued timeliness, punctuality, attention to detail, and always following through. They were also big problem solvers, able to think quickly and make the best decision in the moment. One phrase I heard often was “just do your best.” That stuck with me.

At 15, I started working at a local restaurant as a face painter. From there, I worked my way through nearly every role in the dining room, drive-thru, and kitchen. By 17, I had stepped into a leadership role, which challenged me to take responsibility and guide others at a young age. Working in such a fast-paced, customer-facing environment taught me urgency, problem-solving under pressure, and the importance of caring for people.

Those lessons from my parents and those early work experiences are the foundation of how I run my businesses today. I don’t shy away from hard work. I focus on the details and I always follow through. Work ethic, to me, is about consistency, problem-solving, and showing up fully. That is something I carry into everything I do.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m the owner of The Itsy Bitsy Veggie Co., a small family-run microgreen farm based in Willowick, Ohio. What started in the spring of 2023 as just a few trays in my basement has grown into a thriving business that supplies fresh microgreens to local families, restaurants, and markets across Northeast Ohio.

What I find most exciting about this work is how something so small can make such a big impact. Microgreens are packed with nutrients and flavor, and I love showing people how easy it can be to introduce them into everyday meals. From parents looking for healthier options for their kids to chefs creating beautiful, elevated dishes, our greens find their way onto so many tables. That is incredibly rewarding.

What makes Itsy Bitsy unique is that we do everything fresh to order. Our microgreens are harvested just before delivery, grown without chemicals or pesticides, and we use heirloom, non-GMO seeds (organic whenever possible). We also make sustainability a priority by reusing our large pet grass containers, donating post-harvest “scraps” to friends with chickens and ducks, and providing fresh pet grass donations to local shelters including the Euclid Animal Shelter, Lake County Dog Shelter, and Lake Humane Society.

We’re always finding new ways to connect with the community. This year, we’ve been hosting dinner events and workshops where people can not only try our greens but also learn more about how they’re grown and the benefits they bring. We’ll be at the Willoughby Farmers Market the first Saturday of every month (except October, when we take our seasonal break), along with pop-up and wellness markets throughout the season. We also offer local delivery and subscription services within 15 miles of Willowick.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue building relationships with local restaurants, expanding our subscription service, and creating more events that bring people together around food. Itsy Bitsy Veggie Co. is still growing, both literally and figuratively, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

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?

For me, the three that stand out are my marketing skills, consistency, and adaptability.

My background in marketing and design gave me a big advantage when starting The Itsy Bitsy Veggie Co. I was able to create a brand, design my own packaging, website, and share our story in a way that connected with people. Marketing is not just about selling. It is about building relationships and trust, and that has been invaluable.

Consistency has also been key. Running a business that depends on living products means there are no shortcuts. Seeds need to be planted, watered, and harvested on schedule. Showing up every day, even when it is hard, has built trust with our customers and partners. They know they can count on me, and that reliability has been a huge part of our growth.

Finally, adaptability has allowed me to keep moving forward. Things do not always go as planned. Crops fail, events get canceled, and new opportunities pop up. Being able to pivot quickly, learn from mistakes, and adjust has kept us resilient and growing.

My advice for anyone starting out: lean into learning and practice. Build your marketing muscle by telling your story, even if it feels imperfect at first. Develop consistency by setting small, repeatable habits and sticking to them. And do not fear change. Embrace adaptability as a skill, not just a reaction. The more you practice these three qualities, the stronger your foundation will be.

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

Right now, the biggest challenge we face is time. It is my husband and I, with a five-year-old and three-year-old that I homeschool. While my husband and parents help with planting and markets, there is not much time left for anything else. Balancing family life and business responsibilities can feel like a juggling act.

To counter that, we have been talking about the next phase for Itsy Bitsy. We are exploring the idea of moving out of our home setup into a warehouse or growing space that could also have a small storefront. The possibilities are exciting, but it would also mean a big shift for our business. It would no longer be just family. We would be hiring like-minded individuals to join us.

It is both a challenge and an opportunity. The hope is that by building Itsy Bitsy bigger, we can free up more time for family while also expanding our ability to serve the community.

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