EP 223: FROM COFFEE DREAMS TO COMMUNITY IMPACT WITH NATALIE KRACHT– PART I
Natalie Kracht is the owner and creative force behind Natural Grind and The Collective in Grundy Center, Iowa. What started as a small coffee shop dream has grown into a thriving community hub known for its warm atmosphere, inspired merchandising, and deeply personal touch. Natalie has built her businesses with an artist’s eye and an entrepreneur’s heart—curating clothing, home décor, gifts, and coffee experiences that make people feel seen, welcomed, and connected. She brings together quality craftsmanship, trend-forward style, and intentional storytelling, earning Natural Grind recognition among Iowa’s standout coffee shops and establishing The Collective as one of the area’s most thoughtfully curated boutiques.
In this episode, Natalie walks through the leap from healthcare to hospitality and retail, how she turned a coffee shop into two thriving retail concepts, and the pivots that kept her business growing through COVID and personal tragedy. She shares practical buying and merchandising lessons, how to set the right price points for your market, and why community-first service fuels repeat business.
What’s inside
- How Natalie went from healthcare administration to opening a coffee shop—and eventually a boutique—with no prior retail experience
- The lessons she learned from blending coffee, apparel, and gifts under one roof (and when it makes sense to separate them)
- Honest insights on pricing, merchandising, buying apparel, and adapting your business to your market and seasons
Mentioned In This Episode:
Instagram
Facebook
The Natural Grind Website
