Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Kay.

Hi Catherine, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Ever since I was a child, I have loved drawing and creating magical stories. Inspired by my love for anime, manga, gaming, and Disney, I was always drawn to the world of cute yet inspiring storytelling.

As I grew older, my love for art and design evolved into a true passion—one that allowed me to craft stories and share emotions, whether they were fun, wholesome, or nostalgic. At the age of 11, I discovered digital art, and from that moment, my passion only grew. Every evening after school, I would rush home, study other artists, follow tutorials, and teach myself Photoshop, graphic design, and digital illustration.

By the time I was 13, I had learned to code my own website using HTML and launched my very first “Pixel Doll” website.

As I entered my teenage and young adult years, I knew I wanted to pursue a creative career, but I wasn’t sure what that would look like. To take a more practical path, I decided to study graphic design, knowing that in some capacity, I would be able to create and build brands.

During my studies, I realized that brand building was one of my favorite aspects of design. It allowed me to create my own world, craft a brand story, and use visuals to bring that story to life. However, growing up in a small town meant that graphic design jobs were limited.

Throughout my education, I worked multiple jobs and eventually took a position at a local company, where I handled graphic design, photography, receptionist duties, and social media management. At one point, I was juggling two part-time jobs and a full time job, before being offered a permanent full-time role. But as the months passed, I felt a nagging sense that this wasn’t the path I was meant to be on. I started searching for inspiration, reading Etsy’s “Quit Your Day Job” blog series, and listening to the stories of other creative entrepreneurs.

That was the spark I needed. During my breaks at work, I began jotting down ideas in my sketchbook for my next venture. And that’s when Katnipp was born.

Since then, I’ve been on an incredible journey growing my brand. Today, I have two studios and a close-knit, family-run team, working alongside my husband, Dean, and my brother-in-law, Mike.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

There have been many ups and downs along the way. For the first three years of building Katnipp, I worked a full-time job—at one point, even juggling two additional part-time jobs. But it quickly became unsustainable.

As I grew Katnipp, I managed to secure my first office while still working at the small business where I was employed. Eventually, I transitioned to a part-time role, then moved to freelance work, which allowed me to continue my original job while working from my new Katnipp office.

Those early days were incredibly challenging, balancing multiple jobs and putting in countless hours of hard work. But I wouldn’t be where I am today without those tough years—they laid the foundation for everything I’ve built.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

I specialize in designing and manufacturing kawaii, adorable merchandise made to bring a smile to people’s faces. A lot of my inspiration comes from brands like Sanrio, Pusheen, and Disney, and I’ve been building my own kawaii and wholesome lifestyle brand ever since.

We started with pins, greeting cards, and stationery, but we’re now expanding into apparel, home decor, and more. Every product in our brand is illustrated and designed by me, and many of our items are proudly manufactured in our studio.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?

I love listening to motivational podcasts from entrepreneurs, such as Grace Beverley’s Working Hard or Hardly Working, Diary of a CEO, and many more. I also enjoy reading stories and biographies of inspiring creators like Tove Jansson (Moomins), Walt Disney, Charles Schulz (Peanuts), and Beatrix Potter. Their journeys and achievements inspire me, and I aspire to build a legacy as impactful as theirs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katnipp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katnippstudios
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Katnippillustrations/?locale=en_GB
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KatnippStudios