Kate Stevens and her wife Sam founded Garden of Oz, a business committed to sustainability through upcycling byproducts from the brewing industry based on their passion for sustainable living. The company produces two key products: bokashi, a composting aid made from upcycled grain, and Brew Bites, an upcycled dog treat.
For Kate, a longtime public school teacher, the transition to running a business felt daunting so she applied to the Business Accelerator. She hoped the program would help her better understand key business strategies and provide guidance. “Having access to resources and knowledge and feeling like someone was invested in our success was the big pull,” Kate said.
She credits the mentorship and cohort collaboration for helping her focus on what truly mattered in her business, especially refining her product offerings and sales strategies. The program helped her understand customer segments and prioritize actions that contribute to growth. “It felt like we went three years in just six months,” Kate reflected.
Garden of Oz has grown tremendously since graduation, doubling its sales in just one year. The venture now has an Amazon storefront and just closed a partnership with The Street Dog Coalition to donate a portion of sales to help provide veterinary care for pets of people experiencing homelessness. “EforAll helped us focus and stop wasting time on things that weren’t growing our business. We wouldn’t be where we are without EforAll,” says Kate.
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Published: October 2024