50 Leading Women: Kat Smith

In honor and celebration of our Women’s Division‘s 50th Anniversary, we will be spotlighting 50 Leading Women making an impact, raising their voice, and leading the next generation of women in the workforce and Plano community.

Introducing, Kat Smith, Co-owner, of Mudleaf Coffee. As soon as you walk into Mudleaf, you are welcomed into their space with “Love Everybody (and coffee) Always” featured prominently, written in white paint on a black wall. The signage speaks straight to the heart & desire behind the business. Kat began this journey with her cousin after an experience with a coffee catering company at her wedding. Her passion to provide top notch customer service and love others well, has been the driving force to making Mudleaf Coffee, a reality. What started as a coffee catering company, focused on large scale events such as weddings, church gatherings, and conferences, spurred off into a physical, coffee shop at the corner of West Parker Road & Independence Parkway. With the support of their local church, Kat and her husband Jordan were able to open Mudleaf in 2018. In building their own business, Kath & her husband have continued to build up other small businesses by exclusively serving Cultivar coffee, a Dallas based coffee roaster, food sourced from local bakeries such as Mom’s Buns, and even creating The Leaf Market stocked FULL of local artisans, artists, and vendors. In need of a place to host a business meeting or know any local students needing a space to host a study group? Mudleaf offers their private meeting room, the Mudroom, to the community to rent during normal business hours. Kat and her entrepreneurial journey have been featured on critically acclaimed podcasts such as, The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey and The Girl Gang Podcast. She has successfully created a home away from home at Mudleaf Coffee. We can not wait to see where this journey takes her and her family next!

1. Describe your leadership style and how you lead others.

I would say I am a ‘free range’ leader. I set the rules/boundaries and let my team loose. I do not micromanage but step in when needed.

2. How can women develop their leadership skills in the workforce?

Start at the bottom and work hard. Watch other leaders and find out what you like and don’t like.

3. What are the most important decisions you make as a leader?

Right now, making sure my staff feels seen, heard, and cared for. When your team is treated with respect they tend to enjoy and want to work for/with you.

4. What has been one of your biggest joys as a leader?

My staff/team! They are truly a joy!

5. What has been your greatest career disappointment? What did you learn from it?

Learning not to take criticism so personally. Being in the service industry means that everyone feels they can give you their advice, opinion, and how they would do things better. It is hard to hear it sometimes and not be disappointed that something you’ve poured yourself into, isn’t everyone’s favorite.

6. What strategies could be used to promote inclusion in the workplace?

Treating staff/team like humans. Remembering they are a person with a soul and created just like you, celebrate differences. 

7. What advice would you give your 25-year-old self?

Maybe don’t open a coffee shop? Just kidding, but know it is going to be the hardest thing you ever do.

8. What advice can you give to the next generation of female leaders?

Work hard, learn at every position you are in and don’t give up.

9. Who inspired you and why?

Kelli Trontell, she opened a coffee shop in Montana and watching her be a mom, boss, and loving people and the Lord well was and is inspiring. Shanna Mavis, (business coach) another mom boss who works so hard because she believes in her purpose not because of the paycheck. Who follows what the Lord has for her and trusts the money will come eventually.

10. What do you want to be remembered for?

Loving people well. I want Mudleaf to feel like home.