We recently connected with Catherine Waite and have shared our conversation below.
Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.
I learned out to make my product out of my kitchen. Much trial and error led me to the product you see on the shelves. I had started my journey attending farmers markets on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton. I met amazing vendors and we were able to share our stories. I knew I needed a DHEC approved kitchen but had very little funds to start. I walked into every business in Bluffton sharing my story and asking if I could share their kitchen space. I was turned down time after time, eventually I walked into a bakery in Bluffton called The Sugaree. I met this amazing couple and was finally presented with a “yes”. They gave me a change of making my dream a reality. Next, I applied to the markets I so badly wanted to be a part of. I was so grateful to have been given the opportunity to be a part of the Hilton Head Island market first and then the Bluffton Farmers Market. When I began working the markets, I only had a plastic table cover and baked one tray of muffins. I was so nervous but was thankful to be surrounded by very supportive business owners who shared their advice and own experience. I was working 3 jobs at the time and I will never forget my manager of the restaurant I worked at showing up for my first day at the market. I learned through mistakes and time how to run Cappys and how important education would be. Learning the government agencies, licensures and procedures was a huge learning curve. A year later I was ready for Forsyth in Savannah and have been so grateful to be welcomed into that community. I have met so many amazing people and heard astounding stories of fighters living with life threatening allergies and health issues. Cappys now has four wholesale accounts and is continually improving and expanding.
Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.
I have had a life-threatening allergy to nuts my entire life. After I became diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, my diet became even more limited than it already was. I was frustrated with the options that were available to me. I worked as a civil engineer in heavy highway construction and being on the road, there was nothing available to eat. If I did not pack enough food for the day, I was not going to be eating. I started questioning why there were not more allergen friendly options. I started experimenting in my home making nutrient dense food. I was also a bodybuilder and valued quality of each ingredient. After a journey of reflection and self-preservation, I decided to start Cappys. I wanted to reconnect people to high quality nutrient dense food that was allergen friendly. My career was spent paying off my degree and so I had very little money going into this venture. I worked 2 part time jobs and started my business working at farmers markets outside those times and baking at night. I was running myself into the ground and ran off the road one night out of pure exhaustion. I cried thinking I could have hurt someone or myself. A police officer followed me the rest of the way home that night to make sure I was safe. I told my dad I had two options to either pull back from the business or to go all in. My father said, “If you do not give this all you have, you will never know and will regret it for the rest of your life”. I quit my jobs knowing I did not have enough money to survive and took a leap of faith. My community stepped up and my colleague, who would become a mentor, gave me confidence that this would work. I now stand here with an employee and 4 wholesale accounts and am continually growing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cappysfreshfood.com
- Instagram: cappysfreshfood
- Facebook: Cappys Fresh Food
Image Credits
Jo Rackliff Photography