Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katherine Tozduman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Katherine, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
When I was working 8+ hours per day in corporate, I noticed that one of the biggest mood improvers for me was remembering to take breaks and make space for additional creative outlets to feel refreshed. The benefits of this practice always trickled into my work and helped me be more productive, relate to my colleagues differently, and positively impact my wellbeing.
Our events give your colleagues permission to add fun into their days again, spark curiosity and creativity, and give them space to naturally build the perfect company culture. With my background in horticultural therapy and my lifelong connection (& obsession) to everything “crafts,” we see all our activities as a form of personal therapy meant to empower and improve a team’s mental state.
Katherine, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Katherine Tozduman, and I am the founder of The Crafty Kit, a company dedicated to bringing creativity, connection, and wellness into workplaces and communities through engaging hands-on experiences.
My journey into this industry was shaped by two things I care deeply about: creativity and human connection. I’ve always believed that creating something with your hands can be incredibly therapeutic. Whether it’s painting, gardening, crafting, or learning a new skill, creativity has a unique way of helping people slow down, connect with themselves, and connect with others. What began as a passion for crafting evolved into a business focused on helping organizations foster stronger cultures through meaningful experiences.
Today, The Crafty Kit specializes in virtual, hybrid, and in-person corporate workshops that combine creativity with employee wellness and team building. We provide curated DIY kits and guided experiences ranging from painting, terrariums, bonsai, resin art, soap making, candle making, and seasonal crafts to customized workshops designed specifically for our clients’ goals and company culture.
What sets us apart is that we don’t simply provide a craft—we create an experience. Our workshops are intentionally designed to encourage relaxation, spark conversations, and bring people together regardless of where they’re located. In an increasingly remote and fast-paced world, many employees feel disconnected, stressed, or burned out. Our programs help solve that challenge by creating moments where people can step away from their daily responsibilities, be present, and engage in something creative and enjoyable with their colleagues.
Another aspect that makes our company unique is our flexibility and customization. We work with organizations of all sizes and tailor experiences to fit their budgets, themes, wellness initiatives, employee appreciation events, ERG programs, and team-building goals. We understand that every company is different, and we take pride in creating experiences that feel personal and memorable.
On a personal level, my work has been heavily influenced by my own life experiences. As a lymphoma survivor, I’ve experienced firsthand the importance of finding moments of joy, creativity, and healing during difficult times. Creativity became a source of comfort and resilience for me, and that perspective shapes how I approach every workshop we offer. I understand the value of creating spaces where people can decompress, recharge, and focus on something positive.
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is seeing the impact our workshops have on participants. We regularly hear from clients who tell us that our events helped remote teams feel connected, provided employees with a much-needed mental break, or introduced people to hobbies they continue long after the workshop ends. Knowing that our work creates lasting positive experiences is incredibly rewarding.
For potential clients, partners, and followers, I want them to know that The Crafty Kit is about more than crafts. Our mission is to create opportunities for connection, creativity, and wellness. We believe everyone is creative, and sometimes all they need is the opportunity and encouragement to explore it. Whether we’re working with a Fortune 500 company, a small team, or a community organization, our goal remains the same: to help people create something meaningful while creating meaningful connections with each other.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the most defining experiences of my life happened completely unexpectedly. After losing my beloved boxer, Jax, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Anaplastic Large T-Cell Lymphoma. What started as a period of grief quickly became a fight for my life. I underwent aggressive chemotherapy treatments and eventually a bone marrow transplant. The journey was physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting, and there were moments when the future felt uncertain.
What made this chapter especially challenging was that it coincided with one of the most important periods in my business. While undergoing treatment and navigating a life-threatening diagnosis, I was also leading and growing The Crafty Kit. Despite the countless doctor’s appointments, hospital stays, and recovery periods, I remained committed to my team, our clients, and our mission. Remarkably, that year became our most successful year yet, as we grew the business to its first $1 million in sales.
Looking back, I’m still amazed that I was able to help scale a company while fighting for my life. There were days when I was managing client calls from hospital rooms and making business decisions while facing some of the toughest personal challenges imaginable. It required an incredible amount of perseverance, adaptability, and support from the people around me.
That experience changed me forever. It taught me that resilience isn’t about being
How’d you meet your business partner?
My cofounder is actually my husband, and our partnership is a story of love, resilience, and stepping up when it mattered most.
When I first started The Crafty Kit, I was running the business independently while my husband operated his own successful plumbing business. He was always supportive of my entrepreneurial journey, but he wasn’t involved in the day-to-day operations. We each had our own businesses and focused on our respective careers.
Everything changed when I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Anaplastic Large T-Cell Lymphoma. Overnight, our lives were turned upside down. As I began aggressive chemotherapy treatments and prepared for a bone marrow transplant, it became clear that I would need significant support—not only personally but also professionally.
Without hesitation, my husband made an incredible sacrifice. He stepped away from his plumbing business to become both my caregiver and a leader within The Crafty Kit. During one of the most challenging periods of our lives, he took on the responsibility of helping oversee operations, supporting our team, and ensuring the business continued to thrive while I focused on surviving and recovering.
What makes his decision even more meaningful is that he wasn’t just helping with the business—he was helping me hold onto a dream that I had worked so hard to build. While he was driving me to treatments, sitting beside me during appointments, and supporting me through recovery, he was also learning the business, solving problems, and helping manage the growth of the company.
Together, we navigated one of life’s greatest challenges while simultaneously growing The Crafty Kit to its first $1 million in sales. Looking back, I don’t know how we would have gotten through that year without each other. It tested us in every possible way, but it also strengthened our partnership and showed us what we are capable of accomplishing as a team.
Today, our business is truly a reflection of our shared values: resilience, creativity, community, and supporting others through life’s challenges. What started as a marriage evolved into a business partnership forged through adversity, and I am incredibly grateful to have a cofounder who was willing to put everything aside to help me fight for my life while helping our company continue to grow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecraftykit.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopthecraftykit
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopthecraftykit
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-crafty-kit/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thecraftykit
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-crafty-kit-westwood
Image Credits
https://www.clarawangphotography.com/
https://www.bojanhohnjecstudio.com/