Dreaming of Donuts: Our Journey at kasdan co.

At kasdan co., we believe that every donut tells a story—and ours is a tale of passion, perseverance, and community. Nestled in the heart of Sault Ste. Marie, we’ve transformed our love for handcrafted donuts and specialty coffee into an actualized growing small business. Which feels amazing! There is no feeling quite like dreaming something up on paper and then building it in reality. Every entrepreneur will certainly understand that. Even when the going gets tough, and the challenges of entrepreneurial life come for you, it’s those little moments that make it all worth it. There is a lyric from “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” that always stuck with us. “Don’t dream it, be it.” (10 House Cup Points to any reader who sang that to themselves in an enthusiastic Tim Curry impersonation.)

But like all great adventures, our journey didn’t come without its share of challenges. And this is just the beginning. There are many more challenges ahead. 

A Sweet Start

It all began about one year ago at the Soo Market, where we set up shop every Saturday morning from 9 AM to 2 PM. There wasn’t a ton of space for what we were looking to do, equipment was very expensive, and we did not have a ton of free time to pour into this. Perfect conditions to start a business, right? NOT. 

Our vision was clear: we wanted to serve inventive and delicious donuts crafted from a secret recipe using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. We were in a position where we were waiting on some major equipment shipments (mostly related to the production of donuts) but otherwise we were ready to open. It was a holding pattern, forcing us to adapt and launch the business without donuts on the menu. But, at least, we were able to open. Kind of/sort of the way we wanted to.

Our first menu was sparse—limited to hot drinks. The response was great and encouraging, but financially limiting. We just didn’t have enough to offer. There is so much out of your control as a small business owner that we learned to embrace the iterative process of building things up. Rome wasn’t built in a day, as they say. 

Kass had a lot of experience as a kitchen manager in a popular café in Quebec. She knew that once the donuts were launched that she would be in her element. But she felt the pressure of stepping into the world of coffee. She was teaching kindergarten full-time and imposter syndrome was creeping in. But everything in life is figureoutable. She leaned into the challenge, enrolling in an industry standard barista course to sharpen her skills. She practiced tirelessly to get better and learn more about the expansive world of specialty coffee. Approaching the world like a wide eyed, fresh-faced student is a great way to be, as a small business owner. You’re never done learning. Everyday is an opportunity to get better, learn more, and dive deeper.

Finding Our Footing

While the early days were tough, they also taught us invaluable lessons about resilience and patience. And patience truly is a virtue. We focused on refining our menu and cultivating a strong relationship with our customers. And just when we thought the wait would never end, we finally launched our donuts—and the response was overwhelming. 

We initially felt a bit insecure about being a donut shop that doesn’t sell donuts. For weeks people would ask us about them. We’d give out updates on where we were at and when we hoped to be able to serve donuts. Our signage read “Donuts & Espresso.” But all we were able to deliver at that time was the “& Espresso” part. But there is also that thing that happens sometimes where people knew that donuts were coming. Eventually. Our customers were on the journey with us. There was something to look forward to. Something beautiful and delicious was on the horizon. 

And that’s a great business/life lesson, too. The windshield is bigger than the rearview mirror for a reason. Where you’re headed next is the most important thing. You don’t need to wait for the perfect conditions (spoiler alert: they don’t exist) and every single little idea to be in place before you start something. In fact, sometimes that approach can lead to stagnancy and paralysis. Oftentimes, a better approach is to be more like Disneyland. The park is ALWAYS under construction. It will never be “finished”. It never wants to be finished. That’s just not the goal of its existence. There are always new ideas, new technologies, new characters, etc. And that’s what keeps it evolving.

Building a Dream

Now that we had established a loyal customer base of the coolest human beings on the planet, we began dreaming bigger. The journey to expand our business brought a new set of challenges: building counters, designing a website, mounting exterior signage, and crafting an inviting atmosphere for our customers. Each step required creativity, teamwork, and endless hours of sweat equity.

We also realized that a successful coffee shop isn’t just about great drinks and delicious donuts. We expanded our menu to include soups and sandwiches, ensuring that every visit to kasdan co. would be a delightful experience for our guests. Designing digital menus, and installing the necessary plumbing for our equipment tested our resolve, but every challenge was met with determination and a shared vision.

Light at the End of the Tunnel

As we stand on the brink of transforming kasdan co. into a full-time donut shop, we are taking time to reflect on the journey that brought us here. It’s a journey filled with moments of doubt, hard work, and triumph. The path of entrepreneurship is never easy, but it’s rewarding beyond measure.

To all of the aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners out there, remember this: every great achievement begins with a dream. There will be obstacles, and you may feel overwhelmed, but don’t lose sight of your vision. Surround yourself with a supportive community, learn from each setback, and celebrate every small victory along the way.

At kasdan co., we are driven by our passion for crafting exceptional experiences. As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain committed to our core values—serving you the best handcrafted donuts and specialty coffee, creating memorable moments, and fostering a vibrant community.

So come visit us, and let’s celebrate this journey together. Taste the difference, enjoy the atmosphere, and remember: you have the power to turn your dreams into reality. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s shining bright for all who dare to reach for it.

Don’t Dream It. Be It.

Here's to dreaming big and savouring every bite!

— The kasdan co. Team 🍩☕