Kate's Story
Where it began 
I have always been blessed with an optimistic nature and sailed through life seemingly unscathed by anything, yet with the birth of Amy in October 2000, even my optimism was challenged.
No one can prepare you for the shock of a complicated pregnancy and birth. As a healthy 28 year old, I was in a low risk category and all seemed fine. At 6 months it became clear that all was not well and after a month of waiting, Amy was delivered prematurely and the journey began. There was no clear diagnosis at the time and we were told to wait and see.
She was a tiny wee thing, yet surprisingly strong and she had a will to survive from the first moment that was unmistakable. She came home with us, after a stay in the special care nursery, at only 1.5kg and I was with her day and night, taking care of her every need. I think at the time, I was in denial and thought that a Mother’s love can heal all. I hoped that she would catch up and grow and that it would all be OK, but as the months & years went on she fell further behind. It took us 5 years to receive her diagnosis of a rare genetic disorder called Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome and Family & Friends support for Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome (RTS) - on Facebook.
When Amy was 8 months old I had to return to my job in a US based IT firm, managing a sales team for Australia and NZ. It was a full on job and required my full focus and long hours to do it justice. After a while it became crystal clear to me that I could not do the job well and be the Mother that I wanted to be and that Amy needed.
Our life was becoming more and more isolated as Amy’s difficulties grew. Everyday activities that we took for granted were not so simple any more. Going shopping or spending time with friends who had kids was difficult as Amy would get into trouble with inappropriate behavior and although people were nice about it, apart from the very few, it was clear that they were uncomfortable.
In the end I felt I was squeezed out of the job and found myself at home full time with Amy.
At the bottom
All my plans for the future, the illusion of a predictable life came crashing down. This was my lowest point and I fell into a depression. There have been times when I have stared at the same spot on the wall for hours with not a thought in my head and numb to my surroundings. I felt paralyzed and I didn’t recognize myself – where was that unstoppable, optimistic girl I knew? I had to find from deep inside the courage to claim my life back and to find a way to rekindle and re-find my passion.
Going Up
I decided to start my own business, a business that would allow me to reconnect to my passion for life. I have always been creative and love to make something out of nothing. I also love the exotic, deep rich flavours of spices and herbs and I have always travelled, to see other cultures, their traditions and foods and experimented with them. I fell in love with the spice markets of the Middle East when I was living there and the seed of Enspice and Table of Plenty was planted.
With each idea and step forward in the business, my confidence and enthusiasm returned. It was clear that no one was going to hand me my ideal life on a plate and I would have to create it.
My Motivation
I also knew that my reasons are the fuel that will get the business up and running and they are central to it today as they were then.
1) To reconnect to my passion for life – this was the short term spark that began it
2) To build a business that will be a platform to sustain Amy financially throughout her life - long term motivation
3) To build a business that will support organizations that help people with disabilities – long term motivation
The business Vision
My vision for the business was and is to create food products that will help other women like me to navigate their busy lives and be able to put a decent healthy meal on the table.
• Our products will use good healthy ingredients
• Our products will draw on my wealth of knowledge about spices, herbs and foods to be innovative and tasty
• Our products will be quick and easy to prepare
• Our customers will be able to trust what they are buying is good quality and good value
The business will also be family friendly and be flexible in allowing us to fulfill all our roles in life, as parents, as individuals and as bread winners.
Today
Today our business is still in its young years, but its roots are growing deeper as the months go by. Our products are now available in Coles, Woolworths/Safeway, Franklins, COSTCO and other supermarkets, speciality shops and health stores and include Mueslis, Dukkahs, Spices and Muesli Breads. We also export our products and blends to over 5 countries.
We are donating on an ongoing basis to organizations such as RDA (Riding for the disabled), MOIRA, Jewish Care, Yooralla, SCOPE and others.
My husband and I have worked closely throughout this unfolding chapter with Amy and now in the business and we have learned many things that we believe are of value. We now share our knowledge and skills with others through speaking engagements and workshops.
I am a founding member of Feminenza in Australia, a worldwide organization that supports women and girls and promotes mutuality between the genders. We provide education and tools for self development specifically designed for the feminine gender as well as support grassroots organizations financially in many places around the world, such as Kenya.
If you are a parent of a child with special needs (especially intellectual disability) you would know how it is almost impossible for others to appreciate the challenges. We are working now on some projects to bring more funding and help to carers and families including respite, which I have found invaluable, and I would welcome you to get in touch with me to help further this in any way. We have also found that just talking to other parents is very beneficial.
One of the things that provides me a lot of satisfaction is hearing from you (customers, suppliers, business partners and anyone else who comes across what we do) – your thoughts comments and feedback are always most appreciated and you are welcome to email and contact at any time.
This is just a brief description of my story and there is so much more that can be said about all the above.
As I heard once from a wise man: “All the great people of the past have gone; now it is our turn” and I would add that the best time to create the life that you want to lead is now. Let no excuse or circumstance persuade you otherwise.
Yours with respect,
Kate Weiss
Below is a family photo from my son's second birthday: from left, Amy, Tal, Ethan & Kate Weiss 
Amy Weiss 
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