We recently connected with Crystal Burditt and have shared our conversation below.

Crystal, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Six and a half years ago a friend helped me leave my home in Ohio to get away from a bad living situation. I relocated to Mid-Michigan and ending up living in the Shelter House of Midland where I was allowed one pet. Aside from rescuing myself from my own life, I ended up rescuing my best friend, a long hair buff colored tabby I named Calcifer. While at the shelter I realized the positive impact Calcifer had on the other residents as well and thought to myself “how can I apply this to my life and make a difference”. From there I came up with the idea to help save cats and at the same time I am able to do something else I love as well, cooking. With the idea in my head, I now had even more challenges ahead of me as I moved with no money, no vehicle, and no home. But I didn”t give up, long story short after meeting wonderful new people, finding a location, and then getting a variance for the location, my dream was coming to life.

Crystal, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

In addition to the previous response, I feel what I do is very important because I have the opportunity help so many people in the community and they help me as well. I have many people who are neurodivergent and on the spectrum who volunteer and it gives them a chance to connect with others including myself who is OCD/ADHD. My business, which is also my home, is a place for all walks of life to meet and get to know one another. Myself and my volunteers host neurodivergent game nights, DnD game nights, birthday parties, and of course at any given time we have the shelter side with the cattery which usually contains around 2 dozen free roaming adoptable kitties. On the cattery side we have all ages visit with the cats including having days where senior citizen facilities bring residents to spend time with the cats. Cozy Cats Cafe and Shelter is truly a place for everyone.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source for new clients right now for me I believe is expanding my presence on social media platforms. Social media is the way of the future and I am utilizing it as much as I can. Of course, I would like to throw out that word of mouth from previous visitors is also extremely helpful.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

I personally was making the food in my cafe however when I decided to expand my menu that changed some requirements to the building and have to change some things. However, wonderful volunteers are currently doing required renovations and as soon as they are complete we will be making food full force again. In the meantime, I do make some things that I sell in the “Local Boutique” as I call it along with 20 other local artists ranging in age from 6-82. With not being able to currently serve food, it has been very difficult making ends me as the cafe side helps fund the shelter side. I am blessed to have gained so many wonderful friends and the community who helps with donations and I appreciate all of them so much.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://share.google/yLsMGq8xKSVyhDYt4
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086582289494