We were lucky to catch up with Katherine Zimmer recently and have shared our conversation below.

Katherine, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us 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.

Hi! My name is Kat, and I’m the owner and founder of Sassy Kat Goods.

Sassy Kat Goods officially began in November of 2023, but the roots of the idea planted themselves long before then. At first, our business looked completely different — we were a chocolate company. We spent our early months hand-crafting fun, indulgent treats like chocolate-covered popcorn, pretzels, Oreos, and more. We packed up our tables, showed up at farmers markets and vendor events, and watched people light up when they sampled our creations. It was fun, it was creative, and we loved it.

But things shifted in a very personal way.

Around that same time, our nephew was diagnosed with celiac disease. Watching him suddenly have to navigate strict food rules — and seeing how limited the “safe” options were — struck us deeply. So we started making him a gluten-free banana bread as a treat. Every time we handed him a fresh loaf, his face would light up. And honestly, it became a bit of a challenge we were proud to take on — making something gluten free without tasting gluten free.

We’d share the bread with others, and the reaction was always the same: “You’re kidding… this is gluten free?” That consistent surprise told us we were onto something.

At our markets, we kept hearing similar requests over and over: “Do you have anything gluten free?” The more stories we heard — people struggling to find safe, delicious options, or feeling left out at events where they couldn’t enjoy treats everyone else could — the more it tugged at us. With my culinary background, I understood how sensitive gluten-free baking can be. Even a tiny trace of gluten can make someone sick. That’s when we made the pivotal decision: we would become a fully gluten-free business. Not a side option, not a “maybe,” but a dedicated, safe, completely gluten-free bakery.

And then something unexpected happened — something that truly shaped who we are today.

One evening, my husband, Alex, was scrolling and saw a video of someone who built a little self-service, honor-system bake stand. Something about the idea sparked his imagination. Within days he was out in the garage, tinkering away with scrap materials he had lying around. Piece by piece, he brought this charming little bake stand to life — simple, handmade, full of character.

We placed it out by the road, not knowing what to expect. At first, we just set out a few items for neighbors to grab. We figured maybe a couple people a day would stop by.

But then… people noticed.

Cars slowed down. People walked up to check it out. Word began to spread in the most organic, heartwarming way. And then came the moment that still gives me chills: one afternoon we went out to restock, and suddenly there was a line — real people waiting patiently at a tiny bake stand built in our garage.

That was the moment we knew.
This wasn’t just a hobby or a side project.
This was a need.
This was a community.
This was our calling.

We didn’t just come up with a business idea — the idea grew out of love, necessity, and listening to the people around us. Our excitement came from realizing we could genuinely fill a gap: offering delicious, safe, thoughtfully crafted gluten-free baked goods to a community that desperately needed them.

And that’s how Sassy Kat Goods became what it is today — rooted in family, built with creativity, fueled by purpose, and carried forward by the incredible people who stop by that little stand on the side of the road.

Katherine, 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?

My name is Kat, and I’m the owner and founder of Sassy Kat Goods — a 100% gluten-free micro-bakery built from passion, purpose, and a deep love for creating food that makes people feel included. With a culinary background and years of baking under my belt, I originally started Sassy Kat Goods as a chocolate company, selling fun treats at local markets. But everything changed when our nephew was diagnosed with celiac disease. Seeing how difficult it was for him to find safe and delicious gluten-free baked goods inspired me to shift our entire focus. I realized this wasn’t just about baking — it was about filling a real need and creating treats that didn’t taste gluten free, but simply tasted amazing. That challenge sparked a mission: to create a safe, dedicated space where gluten-free customers could trust every ingredient, every process, and every bite.

Today, Sassy Kat Goods offers small-batch gluten-free breads, cookies, bars, and seasonal treats, all made with intention, high-quality ingredients, and zero compromise on flavor. What sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity and community; our honor-system bake stand has become a beloved local spot, built to give people easy access to treats they can enjoy without worry. We solve a real problem for those who often feel left out of traditional bakeries, and I’m incredibly proud that our little idea — born from caring for family — has grown into something that genuinely impacts people’s lives. If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s that Sassy Kat Goods exists to make gluten-free customers feel seen, valued, and excited about baked goods again. We’re here to show that gluten free can be soft, flavorful, joyful — and truly delicious.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

We built our audience mostly through TikTok, along with a few other social media platforms. We focused on being consistent, sharing our products, and showcasing our gluten free bake stand. TikTok helped us reach people well beyond our local area, and over time that steady visibility turned into a loyal and engaged audience.

For anyone just starting out, my advice is simple: post consistently and stay authentic. You don’t need fancy content — just show what you offer, why you do it, and what makes your brand different. Short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram are great for getting in front of new people quickly. Keep it genuine, keep it simple, and keep showing up.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

We sell directly through our own website, sassykatgoods.com. For us, having our own site allows complete control over the customer experience — from how our products are presented to how our brand story is told. It also gives us the flexibility to update items, offer specials, and communicate clearly with our customers without the restrictions that come with third-party platforms.

The biggest advantage of selling on our own site is ownership. We control our branding, our pricing, and our customer relationships. The main challenge, of course, is visibility — when you run your own site, you’re responsible for driving your own traffic. But for us, the trade-off is worth it. It allows us to stay true to our brand, connect directly with our customers, and grow at our own pace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sassykatgoods.com
• Instagram: /sassykatgoods
• Facebook: /sassykatgoods
• Other: TikTok – SassyKatGoods