Introducing Brenda… Brenda was born and grew up in beautiful Santa Barbara, California. She attended college at Concordia University in California, achieving degrees in Psychology and Social Work. After graduating with her master’s degree in social work, she worked in a variety of settings, including special education and corporate health insurance. When I asked Brenda how she found her way from California to Nebraska, she shared that her husband is a minister and was offered a church in rural Minnesota, bringing them closer to Nebraska. While in Minnesota, Brenda continued to work remotely for the insurance company, processing mental health claims. Working for the insurance company generated income, but it was not fulfilling, and she went looking for alternative employment. Brenda noted that she found incredible joy as a working as a para-educator in her local high school with students with intellectual and developmental disabilities… “she loved the job.” The seeds for her Lincoln business, Rose Cat Coffee, were then planted with Brenda. While living in Minnesota, she remembers her community had great coffee but no bakery. This connection becomes relevant later in our story.
Just before January 2020, Brenda’s husband was invited to join a church in Lincoln and their family with three daughters moved to Nebraska. Three months later the COVID Pandemic shut the world down and building a new community in a new city came to a halt. During the Pandemic, Brenda home-schooled all three of her daughters and then continued to home school her oldest daughter (and provided telehealth therapy) as the world resumed its new sense of normalcy. Given Brenda’s life journey, I was curious and asked her how did she became an entrepreneur creating Rose Cat Coffee? She responded, rooted in the harsh realities of the Pandemic… “she needed something to ground me.”
Rose Cat Coffee… Rose Cat Coffee idea jelled in February 2023 and later in March, Brenda created a for-profit limited liability corporation with the State of Nebraska. Choosing to become a for-profit business was a thoughtful and challenging decision for Brenda as she studied similar businesses and considered forming a nonprofit corporation with charitable status as well as a for-profit business. I asked Brenda about her “business experience” and she responded… “none!” Her mother was a kindergarten teacher; her father worked for a CA university in media production and her husband is a pastor. But Brenda is smart, a lifelong learner, she did her research, relied on people who knew more than her and she has a determined quality, about her with an intense desire to create empowered employment opportunities at Rose Cat Coffee.
BRENDA KASATY STORY
Before we move on with the Rose Cat Coffee story, we should explain the name in Brenda’s own words, shared on her website … “How we got The Rose Cat Name… The name Rose Cat comes from a very special girl who was full of spunk, silliness, and heart. Her short life left an incredible impact on her community as she embodied the ability to love Jesus, love others, and find joy and humor even in the most challenging of circumstances. When her movement and voice were slowly stripped away by a degenerative muscular condition Rose Cat (complete with cape and cat ears) became her alter ego. One where the limits were endless, where possibilities soared, and dreams of unbridled potential were realized.”
In April 2024 Rose Cat Coffee opened its doors. The full business name is… “Rose Cat Coffee & Reading Society.” Its mission is more than making money, and serving coffee as it’s tag line asserts… “Coffee, Connections & Collective Change.” Brenda and Rose Cat Coffee have a deeper mission to provide… “Growth, Opportunity, and Earnings” for persons with developmental disabilities. Brenda is passionate about providing jobs “like everyone else” for these remarkable human beings. Brenda shared that… “80% of individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities are unemployed nationwide.” In her own small way, Brenda is creating meaningful employment opportunities and working to reduce the tragic unemployment rate in the I/DD population. She noted that she has a waiting list of at least 40 individuals wanting to work for Rose Cat Coffee.
I asked Brenda what her greatest challenges have been in creating Rose Cat Coffee… she sighed and responded “money” as the “biggest stressor”. Brenda and Rose Cat’s financial challenges are far from over and she is still looking for capital until this business becomes profitable. Other challenges Brenda shared included “a lot of nos along the way”, finding and securing commercial real estate, and securing bank support. Her effort to secure a loan was denied. But Brenda is scrapy and was driven to make this dream a reality.
Helping Hands…. Despite Brenda’s lack of exposure to and experience with business, she is a networker and has put in the hard work to find solutions. She initially worked with a business coach and took connecting with people that led to other meetings and so on. One meeting with Alex with the Lincoln Community Foundation connected her to the Nebraska Enterprise Fund* (NEF) which allowed her to secure a microloan. In turn NEF introduced her to the Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act Program administered by GROW Nebraska. NSBAA provided Brenda grant funding for initial critical business equipment.
Brenda also shared another outcome of her networking approach to solutions. She connected with Hardy Coffee Company in Omaha through NEF. They collaborated providing guidance and training. Hardy Coffee became Rose Cat’s wholesale coffee roaster and supplier. Brenda also shared an important lesson for all startup entrepreneurs… being money smart. She purchases cheaper used equipment versus new and makes her own syrups to cut costs. Keeping costs low early in a startup can enhance survivability and ultimate success.
Finally, Brenda smiled and shared the support from her husband. Not only did he embrace her dream with moral support, …”he pitches in” as a fix-it man and even covers at the shop when staff are delayed or cannot come in. She also recognizes her three daughters (ages 8, 11, and 13) for all their sacrifices sharing their mom with Rose Cat Coffee, including those times doing homework while mom, and even dad, are working at the shop.
Brenda believes it will take three to five years to turn a profit. Nothing is ever guaranteed with any business and particularly small businesses. We encourage folks to visit Rose Cat Coffee at Plaza South (5600 South 48th Street in Lincoln, Nebraska. We will be watching Brenda’s and Rose Cat Coffee’s story unfold.
Best wishes Brenda and your wonderful employees!