Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Deves.
Hi Catherine, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Pumpkin Spice KC started from a simple idea: bringing a little more joy to people’s homes during the fall season.
I’ve always loved decorating for fall, but every year I noticed the same thing…finding the time to shop for pumpkins, load them into the car, unload them, and create a beautiful display was harder than it looked. Between work, family, and everyday life, decorating often became another task on an already full to-do list. I wondered why no one offered a service that handled everything from start to finish.
In 2023, I along with the help and encouragement of my mom and husband decided to create Kansas City’s first concierge pumpkin delivery and porch styling service. The idea was simple: customers could choose a package, and we’d source the pumpkins, deliver them, professionally style their porch, and even return after the season to remove everything. We wanted to make decorating for fall effortless while creating something that made people smile every time they came home.
Like many small businesses, the journey hasn’t been perfectly linear. Building a seasonal business means every fall is incredibly important, and we’ve learned something new each season. We’ve refined our packages, expanded our designs, streamlined our operations, and continued listening to what our customers wanted most. Every year has helped us create an even better experience.
Today, Pumpkin Spice KC has become about much more than pumpkins. It’s about helping families create traditions, giving businesses beautiful seasonal curb appeal, and bringing a little extra happiness to neighborhoods throughout the Kansas City area. One of my favorite parts of the season is seeing customers share photos of their finished porches and hearing how excited their kids are when the pumpkin delivery arrives.
As a full-time professional, entrepreneur, wife, and mom of three young children, building Pumpkin Spice KC has required plenty of late nights, early mornings, and a willingness to take risks. But seeing an idea grow into something that has become part of so many families’ fall traditions has made every challenge worthwhile.
As we head into our fourth season, I’m incredibly grateful for the support of the Kansas City community. What started as one idea has grown into a business that celebrates one of the most beloved seasons of the year, and we’re excited to continue creating memorable fall experiences for years to come.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think any small business owner would say the road has been completely smooth, and Pumpkin Spice KC has certainly had its share of challenges.
One of the biggest hurdles has been building a business that’s almost entirely seasonal. We have a relatively short window each year to generate enough momentum, book orders, source inventory, and execute every installation while also balancing unpredictable Midwest weather. Unlike businesses that operate year-round, every fall season matters.
Another challenge has been educating people about a service that didn’t really exist in the Kansas City market. When we first launched, many people loved the idea but didn’t realize concierge pumpkin delivery was even an option. We spent a lot of time explaining what we do, showing the value of having someone else handle the shopping, styling, delivery, and cleanup, and building trust within the community.
On a personal level, balancing a full-time career, raising three young children, and growing a business has been both rewarding and challenging. There have been plenty of late nights, early mornings, and moments of wondering if I could juggle it all. But every message from a customer saying we made their fall easier or helped create special family memories reminds me exactly why we started.
Those challenges have ultimately made us stronger. Each season has taught us how to improve our operations, better serve our customers, and continue growing in a thoughtful way. Looking back, I’m grateful for the obstacles because they’ve shaped Pumpkin Spice KC into the business it is today.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
By day, I work as a Program Manager for a global commercial insurance brokerage, where I lead leadership development programs, coordinate large-scale events, and manage projects that require a high level of organization, communication, and attention to detail.
Outside of my corporate career, I’m the founder and owner of Pumpkin Spice KC. While the two businesses may seem very different, they actually rely on many of the same skills—careful planning, logistics, creating exceptional customer experiences, and making sure every detail comes together seamlessly.
At Pumpkin Spice KC, we specialize in concierge pumpkin delivery and custom porch styling for both homes and businesses throughout the Kansas City area. From sourcing high-quality pumpkins to designing each display and handling delivery, setup, and even seasonal cleanup, our goal is to make fall decorating effortless for our customers.
What I’m most proud of is creating a business that helps people slow down and enjoy the season. Whether it’s a family excited to come home to a beautifully decorated porch or a local business welcoming customers with a festive entrance, I love knowing we’ve created something that brings joy to our community.
I also take pride in building a business around service. We aren’t simply delivering pumpkins—we’re delivering an experience. We focus on reliability, thoughtful design, and taking one more thing off our customers’ busy to-do lists. I believe that’s what has helped Pumpkin Spice KC continue to grow through word-of-mouth and repeat customers.
As a working mom of three young children, I hope our story also encourages others who have an idea they’ve been sitting on. You don’t have to choose between a career and entrepreneurship—you can build something meaningful with passion, persistence, and a willingness to start before everything feels perfect.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
There are so many ways to support Pumpkin Spice KC, and every one of them means the world to our small business.
Of course, the most direct way is to book our concierge pumpkin delivery for your home or business during the fall season. We also love partnering with HOAs, real estate professionals, corporate offices, community events, schools, and local organizations to create festive seasonal displays or pop-up pumpkin patches.
If you’re not in the market for a pumpkin installation, supporting us can be as simple as following along on social media, sharing our posts with friends and family, or recommending us to someone looking to decorate for fall. As a small business, word-of-mouth referrals have been one of the biggest reasons we’ve been able to grow, and we’re incredibly grateful for every recommendation.
I also love collaborating with other local businesses and creators. Whether it’s a fall event, a styled photo shoot, a community partnership, or another creative idea, I’m always excited to find ways to support fellow entrepreneurs while creating memorable experiences for our community.
At the end of the day, Pumpkin Spice KC exists because of the incredible support we’ve received from the Kansas City community. Every order, every referral, every social media share, and every kind word has helped turn what started as an idea into a growing business. I never take that support for granted, and I’m excited to continue serving our community for many fall seasons to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pumpkinspicekc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pumpkinspicekc/
