Kat D. Williams flourishes as the owner of Nature’s Storehouse, Inc., an organic food and supplement store in Tyron, North Carolina, which opened in 2023. Her lifelong love of learning is the driving force behind her successful business, as she stays informed about emerging studies and research on vitamins and supplements. Before assuming ownership of the business, Ms. Williams worked and gained knowledge under the previous owner, John. She developed a close relationship with him, benefitting from his mentorship, industry experience, and emphasis on the importance of building connections with customers.
The store operates in a small town, allowing Ms. Williams to know her local customers by name. By genuinely engaging with her patrons, she has developed a loyal customer base, fell in love with the business, and ultimately decided to take over running Nature’s Storehouse, Inc., when John retired and entrusted it to her, paving the way for a smooth transition. Ms. Williams takes pride in continuing his business legacy. Most important, she appreciates the continuing rapport she has with customers, many of whom have become her friends through the years. Their unwavering support and business are immeasurable.
With expertise in business operations and customer service, Ms. Williams is responsible for handling all payroll paperwork and ordering products. She purchases from distributors and directly acquires goods from companies. Nature’s Storehouse, Inc., specializes in dairy-free and gluten-free options, including snacks, cheeses, yogurts, and protein bars. They also offer a wide selection of bulk spices and herbs. Ms. Williams provides exceptional customer service by being honest and attentive to the needs of her patrons. She is willing to learn alongside them when faced with relevant, yet sometimes unfamiliar, topics and questions. Beyond food, the business offers vitamins, supplements, and nutritional goods such as protein powders. In addition, the previous owner’s wife offers highly skilled massage therapy services and is often fully booked. Ms. Williams notes that her customers appreciate that she has kept the business in familiar hands and continues to operate it as a needed fixture in the community. Her values of integrity and quality go a long way in preserving and growing her client base, and she refuses to take her loyal customers for granted.
Looking to the future, Ms. Williams has a series of key goals and priorities for the growth and development of Nature’s Storehouse, Inc. First, she hopes to attract more young adults to the company to complement the current valued, longtime, older patrons. To broaden her customer base, she plans to leverage multiple avenues and spheres in society to attract the attention of younger sets. Ms. Williams believes that the store’s presence on social media will be crucial going forward as she delegates the responsibility of maintaining an online presence to an employee with vast knowledge and expertise in the space. By using platforms like TikTok, for instance, the store informs its audience about new products and trends. This keeps the business up to date with the modern needs of younger demographics. In addition, the store showcases skincare products through its social media channels to attract a broader audience.
Ms. Williams also stays involved with her local business community and maintains her professional network as a member of the local chamber of commerce. She gives back as a donor to a fine arts center and volunteers with Steps to Hope, a nonprofit charity that supports victims of domestic and sexual violence. Moreover, Ms. Williams dedicates her free time to volunteering for bicycling races. Away from working and giving back to her community, she has fun with her pets and enjoys the great outdoors most often by going on hikes.