Female Founder Spotlight: Cathryn Zielinski

7 March 2021|Latest Posts, Meet the Successful Founder

Cathryn launched Simplyseedz out of a need to change her lifestyle and eating habits as she had previously skipped breakfast and then snacked while out on the road in her former corporate life.  She started making her own breakfast cereals and toasting seeds purely for her own family’s health because she couldn’t find what she wanted in the supermarket. 

Fast forward 5 years and Simplyseedz is now online, available for UK-wide delivery and found in independent retailers. Brilliant for all year round health, Simplyseedz are a health-conscious company producing nutritious on-the-go porridge pots and Great Taste award-winning snacking seeds that are 100% vegan, dairy-free and low in sugar content. 

What would you love to share to encourage other women to start their own business?

I think that now, more than ever, it is a really good time to take the opportunity to start your own business. Most women have a great creative flair, but often, we don’t get the chance with juggling work and families, to be able to commit time. My own personal experience was that I looked at it as a project, rather than a business to start with. This made it easier in my mind, to gather information and feedback. Then run the idea alongside a job, before making any rash decisions and spend your hard earned money wisely! We’d all love to have overnight success, which is truly rare, but it’s not impossible either! Be passionate and authentic. That’s what will make the difference.

What are your top 5 tips for entrepreneurial success?

1. Listen to feedback – use it, some things you might not like to hear, but always think from your customer’s perspective.

2.Go back to the drawing board – not all ideas are an immediate success some you may have to tweak many times!

3. Keep the passion & be transparent in all you do. Your fans will love you for it!

4. Network as much as possible, grow your list of contacts and keep them up to date. 

5. Be cautious of being over promised and parting with cash. We’ve had our fingers burned a few times, which we’ve learned from.

Who are the 5 women who inspire you the most?

There are the obvious women who have made such a difference to the world –  Emily Pankhurst, Florence Nightingale, and more recently Michelle Obama. I’m inspired by Paralympian athletes such as Claire Cashmore and Kare Adenegan, with their dedication to their sport and the continual efforts to be the best, but also my own grandmother who said, be the best person you can. 

What is your favourite saying/inspirational quote?

“It’s possible to climb to the top without stomping on other people.” Taylor Swift 

I totally agree with this! 

Website & Socials

https://www.simplyseedz.co.uk/

@simplyseedz