Professional Speaker, Businesswoman, Entrepreneur, Single Parent and Risk taker. Katherine is the Founder of Australia’s Largest Sandwich Franchise, Healthy Habits, and now the brains trust and owner of an exciting new business venture, Hello Sam Burgers. Katherine is available for speaking events and business coaching.

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About Katherine

“I want to make my mark on the world, I want the world to know I’ve been here”

Katherine Sampson started life in a Big Fat Greek Family. Leaving school at 16, marrying at 18 and having her first child at 25, she had no aspirations for a career outside of the home. Life took a turn, when facing life as a single mother with 2 children, she decided to create a future for her family and in 1992 bought a run down sandwich bar in Knox City Shopping Centre for $300k. She worked hard, upgraded the store and renamed it Healthy Habits.
Healthy Habits was soon after awarded Food Retailer of the Year three years in a row, and the following year, she was named Best Retailer at Knox City Shopping Centre. Katherine decided to open additional Healthy Habits stores at Southgate and Glen Waverley and shortly thereafter, a Café concept called Infusion was launched.

The businesses were growing and life was comfortable for Katherine and her children, but her dream and vision for a franchise were never far from her thoughts.
In 2004 Katherine took the next step and started the Healthy Habits franchise. 41 stores were opened in Victoria, Canberra, New South Wales, Queensland and Christchurch New Zealand. In 2009, Katherine decided it was time to bring on additional expertise and funding and sold 80% of her business to the Dymocks Group of Companies. In 2012, the remaining 20% was also sold to them.

After taking a well-deserved break and rebalancing her life, Katherine recently launched a new Burger concept called HELLO SAM. She is working on the model and intends to expand it in the near future.

NOTEWORTHY HEALTHY HABITS BUSINESS AWARDS:

  • 8th – BRW Magazines Fast Franchises 2009
  • 4th – BRW Magazines Fastest Growing Start-Up Companies 2008
  • Winner – My Business National Awards Best Young Business 2008
  • Winner – Small Business Champion Awards Best Young Business 2007
  • Finalist – Amex National Retailer Award Best Franchisor 2007
  • 7th – Smart Company Awards Top 50 Companies 2007

PERSONAL AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS:

  • Finalist – Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2008
  • Finalist – Veuve Clicquot Award Australia 2008
  • Finalist – Amex National Retailer Association Award 2008
  • Winner – Knox City Council Local Hero Award 2007
  • Finalist – Amex National Retailer Association Award 2007
  • Winner – My Business Awards Overall Excellence Award 2007
  • Finalist – Victorian Small Business Champion Awards 2007
  • Finalist – Telstra Business Women’s Awards 2006
  • Finalist – PWC Excellence in Franchising Awards 2006
  • Finalist – Telstra Business Women’s Awards 2005
  • Winner – Hellenic Chamber Greek Business Person of the Year 2003
  • Winner – Knox Council Awards Corporate Citizen of the Year 2003
  • Finalist – Telstra Business Women’s Awards 2002

Professional Speaking 

“It’s better to have tried and failed than to die wondering”

Let Katherine take you through her journey. She has had many highs and some lows, which she will share with you.

  • How did she have the courage to take such a big step?
  • How did she manage life as a single mother and businesswoman?
  • How did she fund her business venture?
  • How did she cope with the pressures placed upon her?
  • Why did she sell?
  • Were there times that she regretted her decision?
  • What is the next step?

Katherine’s honest and raw presentation is unique and absolutely perfect for people wanting to take a step into the unknown, or for others heading along a similar business journey. Katherine is available to present throughout Australia.

PRESENTATION TOPICS:

  • Women in Business
  • Starting a Franchise
  • Small Business Owners
  • Building a Brand
  • Partnerships
  • Business Owners
  • Husband & Wife Teams in Business
  • Taking on Investment Partners
  • Food Businesses
  • Taking a Chance in Business

Featured Clients

KEY BRANDS PRESENTED TO: 

Katherine has had the pleasure of working with businesses and associations across a broad range of industries, presenting her story and coaching people on how to overcome challenges and achieve success in business and in life.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS: 

Below is a highlighted list of speaking appointments and events Katherine has been involved in supporting over the years: 

  • Entourage Unconvention – Featured Speaker
  • Soar Collective – Guest Speaker
  • Aussie Home Loans – National Featured Speaker
  • Channel 9 – Your Business Success TV Show
  • Glen Eira Council – Guest speaker
  • Smart Company – Money Expo Session Speaker
  • Custodian WealthBuilders – Keynote Speaker
  • BRW Franchising Forum – Session Speaker
  • Rich Business Summit – Keynote Speaker
  • Australian Institute of Management – Speaker
  • BRW Magazine – Round Table Discussion
  • Wesley – International Women’s Day Breakfast
  • FCA – Recruitment Strategies Breakfast Panelist
  • CPA Congress – Tips to Drive Business Session
  • Centro Properties – Conference Guest Speaker
  • Qantas – Talking Business Presentation
  • RMIT – Strategic Business Guest Speaker
  • Glenferrie Road Traders Association – Speaker
  • Networx – Breakfast Keynote Speaker
  • Cairns Women in Business – Guest Speaker
  • Just Be You – Career Change Panelist
  • Strathcona Girls Grammar – Guest Speaker
  • Wealth Creator – Wealth Seminar Speaker
  • FCA – Keeping Franchise Model Relevant Panel
  • Million Dollar Mindset DVD – Featured Speaker
  • VECCI – Women’s Network Keynote Speaker
  • Melbourne Franchise Expo – Guest Speaker
  • Brisbane Expo – The Journey of Franchising Speaker
  • Channel 10 – Bread TV Show Featured Speaker
  • FCA – National Conference Keynote Speaker
  • Wealth Creator Entrepreneurs Course – Speaker
  • Harcourts International – Guest Speaker

  • Katherine’s story is all the inspiration one needs for success. An informative and engaging speaker, she shares her own business journey through refreshingly honest storytelling. At our event, she left 60 businesswomen motivated and confident that they too had the ability to achieve such success, even if met with challenges along the way. I highly recommend Katherine Sampson as a speaker for any event and look forward to inviting her to present at another of ours someday.

    Jess Jones - Soar Collective

  • Katherine has a great presence on stage and was great at captivating the audience of 100 young female entrepreneurs at the event. The story of her life journey was deeply inspiring and left the audience knowing that they can also pursue their dream and make it a reality if they have a vision and work hard at it. Her unique story of creating and building a well known Australian franchise is a story that needs to be heard by not just entrepreneurs and business owners but those that need to hear an authentic story of someone that worked hard at their dreams, had sheer determination and perseverance to turn their vision into reality. These principles apply to all aspects of life whether it be in financial, personal or career success.

    Sarah, Liz, Marie & Sheryl - League of Extraordinary Women

  • Katherine met and exceeded our expectations. Katherine could relate to our small businesses and was a real person with a real story. She shared with us the incredible highs and also the major setbacks along the way. Everyone walked away filled with enthusiasm and inspiration.

    Michelle Ross - Yarra Ranges Shire Council

  • Katherine you are an absolute superstar! Thank you so much for touching the lives of over 2,000 young entrepreneurs with such impact. I really appreciate your support.

    Jack & The Entourage Team

Media Highlights

Over the years Katherine has featured in some of Australia’s most prominent and credible media sources. Here are some of the most popular:

VIDEO: ‘YOUR BUSINESS SUCCESS’
VIDEO: ‘FRANCHISE SUCCESS WITH REUBEN’

Contact Katherine

“SEIZE EVERY OPPORTUNITY FOR PERSONAL GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT”

Katherine has decades of experience, always investing in personal growth and training along the way. She has engaged with some of the best in the business and put everything on the line to get where she is today, and she wants to share everything she has learned with you. 

Please submit your details and some information about your event and Katherine will contact you.