Meet Kathy Fenech, owner and creator of Sassy Kathy’s Vanilla Shoppe. Kathy traded in her stilettos and designer bags to make her own homespun vanilla extract. We talk to Kathy about how she got started and her most popular items below.

Q. Tell us about your business? Are you strictly online? 

A. I own Sassy Kathy’s Vanilla Shoppe.  I make and sell 100% pure vanilla extract and products with vanilla, such as vanilla-infused honey, vanilla bean maple syrup and strawberry vanilla jam.  I also make sweet treats, such as chocolate-dipped pretzels, marshmallow pops, candied almonds and chocolate dipped Oreo cookies.  I often include some or all of these products in
gift baskets for occasions such as Christmas gifts or teachers gifts.  The honey, maple syrup and sweet treats are amazing gift favours for weddings, showers and religious events.

I sell mainly through my website (sassykathysvanillashoppe.com), as well as Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sassykathysvanillashoppe) and Instagram (instagram.com/sassy_kathys_vanilla_shoppe).

Now that restrictions have eased, you can also find Sassy Kathy’s Vanilla Shoppe at many local markets.  It is so nice to meet people, especially those that follow me and know me through social media.

Q. What made you want to start your business?

A. I am a mom to 3 girls (7 year old & 5.5 year old twins).  During the 1st year of the pandemic, they were in virtual school.  As many parents can attest to, these were very challenging times.  I wanted to do something other than cook, clean and homeschool.  Since I was doing A LOT of baking during the pandemic and going through numerous bottles of vanilla extract, I decided to
make my own and then decided to turn it into a small business.  The pandemic totally brought out my creative side!
 
Q. What products do you make? 

A. I make and sell 100% pure vanilla extract and products with vanilla, such as vanilla-infused honey, vanilla bean maple syrup and strawberry vanilla jam.  I also make sweet treats, such as chocolate dipped pretzels, marshmallow pops, candied almonds and chocolate dipped Oreo cookies.  I often include some or all of these products in gift baskets for occasions such as Christmas gifts or teachers gifts.  The honey, maple syrup and sweet treats are amazing gift favours for weddings, showers and religious events.

I try to support other businesses in the production of my products.  The vanilla bean I use, I purchased from two women entrepreneurs that used to live in Madagascar, and now import and sell vanilla beans in Toronto.  The honey and maple syrup I purchase from farmers up north.

Q. How can people contact you for orders? 

A. I can easily be contacted through email (sassykathysvanillashoppe@gmail.com), through my website, sassykathysvanillashoppe.com, as well as Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sassykathysvanillashoppe) and Instagram
(instagram.com/sassy_kathys_vanilla_shoppe).

Q. What are your most popular items?  Tell us a bit about your process.

A. When my business started, my most popular item was (and still continues to be), vanilla extract.  Sassy Kathy’s vanilla extract is 100% pure.  Only two ingredients (Grade A vanilla beans from Madagascar & alcohol).  Since the extract is pure, it has an infinite shelf life…the longer it sits, the stronger the taste becomes! Candied almonds are also very high on the list of popularity.  Every market that I attend, candied almonds sell out quickly! My gift baskets are very popular gifts for Christmas, hostess gifts and teachers’ gifts.  Real estate agents also use them as closing gifts, to welcome their clients into their new home!  Every gift can be customized and can include all or a selected few products.

Vanilla-infused honey is one of my most popular gift favours for weddings, bridal and baby showers and religious events, such as baptisms and First Communions.  If someone is looking for a unique and fun loot bag treat that every child is sure to love, Sassy Kathy’s marshmallow pops, chocolate dipped pretzels & Oreos and S’mores kits are very popular.