Meet Katie Kane | Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie Kane and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Starting my own business wasn’t a decision that happened overnight. It’s something I’ve thought about for years, but I never felt I had the right idea or the timing wasn’t right. A big driver behind my decision was a desire for more creative freedom and control over my time. My background is in HR, and I’ve always been passionate about engagement and culture-building—bringing people together through shared experiences and creating moments of joy. That’s what truly excites me. I knew I wanted to build a business which reflected those passions, and what better way to do that than with a Candy & Snack Truck? It’s something completely unique to Charlotte, and when I realized there was nothing like it here, I knew I had to jump on the opportunity and bring it to Charlotte.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Palmetto Sweets Co. is a mobile candy and concessions company based in Charlotte, NC. We bring the candy store experience directly to events with our Candy & Snack Truck, our Candy Cart, and our custom candy party favors. Our motto is: life is short, let’s make it sweet—and that’s exactly what we aim to do!

What sets us apart is our ability to bring people together through shared moments of joy, whether it’s at a Sweet 16, a wedding, an employee appreciation event, or even a 90th birthday. We love being part of these special celebrations and leaving guests with big smiles and bellies full of delicious sweets. The most rewarding part of what we do is knowing we’re creating lasting memories for our clients and their guests.

The journey hasn’t been easy, though. Not only are we a relatively new company, but we’re also introducing an entirely new concept to the Carolinas. We’ve had to educate people on the unique, interactive candy experience we offer, which has required a lot of effort in brand awareness. Through social media, word-of-mouth, and networking, we’ve slowly but surely expanded our reach—and along the way, we’ve learned so much about our business, our customers, and what it takes to succeed.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m relatively new to the area and haven’t had the chance to explore the city much yet, so I’d probably take them to a few places near where we live and then head into Charlotte to try some new spots.

We’d start the day with a walk on the Riverwalk Trail along the Catawba River in Rock Hill, SC. Then, we’d grab brunch at Poppyseed Kitchen in Fort Mill, SC—the food is amazing, and they have gluten-free options, too! After that, we’d head into Charlotte to the Charlotte Collective for some shopping (I love supporting other small businesses!). For dinner, we’d go to Optimist Hall, where there’s something for everyone to enjoy and plenty of other cool vendors to check out. I’ve been dying to try Rosie’s Coffee & Wine Garden, so we’d head there after dinner for a glass of wine or two.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband deserves much of the credit for my decision to start this business. He’s all about taking risks and jumping on opportunities when they present themselves. His belief in this idea—and in my ability to bring it to life—has been one of the driving forces behind the brand.

I also want to give a shout-out to my family. My kids, for recognizing and adjusting to the shift in our family dynamic over the past year so I could turn this idea into a business. And to my parents, sister, and brother-in-law for stepping in when I can’t be there to take my kids to games, practices, etc. Knowing my kids are surrounded by people they love and who love them gives me peace of mind and allows me to focus on what needs to be done in the business.

Finally, I want to give credit to the amazing community we’ve built around Palmetto Sweets Co. The people who have supported us from the beginning, and the friends we’ve made along the way—each of them has contributed to our success in some way. Their trust, encouragement and enthusiasm for what we do have kept me going through the tough moments.

Website: https://www.palmettosweetsco.com

Instagram: palmettosweetsco

Facebook: Palmetto Sweets Co.

Image Credits
Julia Fay Photography