Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Seymour.
Hi Katie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I worked in the corporate world, at Hallmark Cards Inc., for nearly 14 years as a product manager. I helped develop products and business strategies and was able to work with some of the most creative people in the world. Once I had my son (who is now eight), I decided to go part-time at Hallmark and was fortunate to have a career that gave me a great work life balance. After having all three of my kids, I was trying to balance being a working mom and still wanting to stay involved with my kids. In November of 2019, I decided I would start a party planning business that featured sensory kits as a party activity and takes home favors. In February of 2020, my sensory kits were starting to take off as something that kids could play with to entertain them and also offer parents reassurance in something that was helping their kids develop and learn. In March of 2020 when parents were home with their kids 24/7 and searching for activities our sales skyrocketed. The rest is history! My mission for Lemon Squeezy will always be to help parents by giving them an activity they feel good about giving to their kids. We’ve sold and shipped to every state in the U.S. and have created countless sensory kits for kids of all ages. We create homemade, non-toxic sensory dough and pair it with sensory items to match the theme. We offer so many different themed sensory kits and sensory dough and are constantly launching new themes! We also offer monthly subscriptions and have a large base of subscribers. Starting this Fall, we will have our product to purchase across many local KC retailers!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The first several months were insane! In the best way possible. I was still working for Hallmark at the time and the pandemic hit which meant that everyone was home with their kids 24/7 and looking for activities. In addition, it was late February/early March and everyone was purchasing kits for Easter. My kids were home with us 24/7 and I was pulling all-nighters most nights. I was also making the sensory dough out of my kitchen with my kitchen aid mixer. Looking back on it all now, I realize if I can do that, the rest seems easy!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are the first and original creators in Kansas City of sensory dough and themed sensory kits. Each of our kits comes with homemade, non-toxic sensory dough and matching sensory items for kids to imagine, create and play. Each kit and dough is custom made-to-order and we put a lot of time, energy and love into each order. We make our sensory dough in small batches to keep it fresh. As a mom of 3 young kids, it is super important to me that each kit works together as a theme to create an environment for kids to learn and imagine. I allow my kids (ages 3-8) to test each completed kit out and I analyze each piece before finalizing my themes. It’s a lot of fun! We’ve partnered with SO many amazing Kansas City businesses and will begin selling with some local retailers this fall! We believe in partnership and collaboration in this amazing community of entrepreneurs! There is so much goodness when we can all work together.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
As previously mentioned, the community of entrepreneurs and local business here is unmatched. I’ve had countless contacts from across the country reach out to me and tell me how lucky we are to have this community of Kansas City businesses that all work together. Since I spent most of my career brainstorming with others, it’s been so great to find like-minded people in the community to dream with.
Pricing:
- Sensory Dough starting at $12
- Sensory Kits starting at $25
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.kclemonsqueezy.com
- Instagram: @kclemonsqueezy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kclemonsqueezy
Image Credits:
Morgan Jane Photography
