Cat Fisher

Tell us about you!

I was born just outside Detroit, Michigan, and spent over 20 years building my career in retail before realizing my dream of opening my own

store in South Orange, New Jersey. I’ve been a South Orange resident since 2014 and am now the owner of Sadie’s and Kitchen a la Mode.

I’m also proud to support The Co-Lab—three community-driven shops that emphasize sustainability, local makers, and connection.

I live in a lively multi-family home with my sister, brother-in-law, their two children, and my beloved dog, Mr. Pickles. Deeply involved in my community, I volunteer with several local organizations, including The Jespy House—which supports adults with developmental disabilities—and the Founders Park Conservancy, where I help foster neighborhood engagement and pride.

Tell us about your business.

Sadie's , a clothing boutique for Women and Men is located at 19 South Orange Ave in South Orange. Kitchen a la Mode, a independent kitchen store that features brands like Made In, Staub, Shun and more. We also offer Knife Sharpening and Co2 canister exchanges for soda makers.

Where did you grow up?

Royal Oak Michigan

How long have you been in Maplewood/South Orange/The Oranges?

11 years

How many years have you been in business?

8 years

How long have you been doing the work you do?

20 years

How did you find yourself doing this work?

By accident- I started working in retail in college and worked my way up the corporate ladder before opening my own independent store.

What excites you the most about what you do?

The community connections, getting to know the people who live in our areas.

What inspired you to start your own business?

I was grossed out by the fast fashion world and wanted to open a store focused on sustainable brands.

What is it about you that makes you so good at what you do?

What makes me good at what I do is my genuine love for people and community. I’ve spent over 20 years in retail, learning how to create meaningful experiences that go beyond selling products. I’m passionate about building connections—between customers, makers, and neighbors—and creating spaces that feel welcoming and inspiring. I approach every decision with creativity, empathy, and a strong sense of purpose, which helps me lead with both heart and strategy.

What is your favorite thing you have worked on so far?

in 2023 we expanded Kitchen a la Mode to a brand new space in a brand new building- getting to design everything from scratch was very challenging but also very fulfilling creatively.

Do you have any magic tricks that you use in your business that you swear by and could share with others?

I like to think of my “magic trick” as a mindset: I assume there’s always a better way to do something, and I’m constantly testing new approaches to see what works best. Whether it’s improving how we showcase products, streamlining operations, or creating a more welcoming experience for customers, I treat every challenge as an opportunity to experiment and learn. That willingness to try, adjust, and refine is what keeps the business fresh and thriving.

What have you learned about yourself since becoming an entrepreneur?

Since becoming an entrepreneur, I’ve learned that I’m more resilient and adaptable than I ever imagined. Running a business requires balancing creativity, strategy, and problem-solving every single day, and it’s taught me to trust my instincts while staying open to feedback and new ideas. I’ve also discovered how much I value community—building meaningful connections with customers, neighbors, and local organizations has become just as important as the business itself.

Share a piece of advice you wish someone had given you when you started your biz.

One piece of advice I wish I’d received when I started my business is to be careful with short-term online loans, like those from PayPal or similar platforms. They can seem like an easy solution at the time, but the high interest and fees can create more stress than they solve. I’ve learned that patience, careful planning, and exploring alternative funding options—like community support, small grants, or incremental growth—are far healthier for a small business in the long run.

If your business had a theme song, what would it be and why?

If my business had a theme song, it would be “Thank You for Being a Friend”—the theme to The Golden Girls. Just like the show, our stores are all about warmth, community, and making people feel welcome. We aim to create a space where everyone feels like part of the family, can share a laugh, and leave a little happier than when they arrived.

Share a challenge you faced and how you overcame it.

One of the biggest challenges I faced was during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many small businesses, foot traffic disappeared almost overnight, and I had to rethink how to keep the business running. I quickly learned how to build websites to bring our stores online, offered local delivery, and found creative ways to stay connected with our community. It was a steep learning curve, but it taught me the importance of adaptability, problem-solving, and embracing new skills to meet changing needs.

If your business was a color, what color would it be and why?

If my business were a color, it would be warm, golden yellow—bright, welcoming, and full of energy. Just like the color, our stores aim to create a cheerful, inviting space where people feel inspired, connected, and a little bit uplifted every time they visit. It reflects the optimism, creativity, and warmth we try to bring to everything we do.

Best biz book/podcast you’d recommend

This is a tough one—there are so many great books and podcasts out there—but if I had to pick one, I’d say Profit First had the biggest impact on me. It completely changed the way I think about managing cash flow, prioritizing profitability, and running a sustainable business. It’s practical, actionable, and has helped me make smarter financial decisions every day.