Business Profile: Café Natüra is a whole food café and nutraceutical dispensary located in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and co-located with the Elgin Integral Health Centre. Café Natüra sells professional-grade vitamins, minerals, homeopathic and herbal supplements and self-care aids. The café provides breakfast, lunch, healthy snacks and organic and fair-trade beverages with an emphasis on fresh foods free from artificial flavors, additives, dyes, trans-fatty acids and genetic engineering. The café also accommodates special requirements such as gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian and vegan diets.

Her Story: Café Natüra is a dream come true for entrepreneur Kelly Burton. As a Registered Nutritional Consultant trained in nutrition and orthomolecular health, Kelly often witnessed firsthand the power of lifestyle and dietary change with her clients. Kelly figured that by opening a café dedicated to healthy lifestyles and healthy eating, she would be able to pass on her knowledge and education to all in the Sault Ste. Marie community.

Café Natüra opened its doors in 2008 – offering a comfortable atmosphere and a variety of healthy foods, beverages and supplements that support her holistic
philosophy.

“I love being an entrepreneur because it has allowed me the opportunity to be
responsible for my own successes,” explains Kelly. “I love to have the creative
freedom to ‘think outside of the box’ and being an entrepreneur encourages that line of thinking with everything I do and every decision I make.”

As a young entrepreneur, Kelly drew on her educational background in Political
Science, as well as her experience managing health food stores both in Arnprior as well as Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

As a successful entrepreneur, Kelly has learned to ask for help when needed, leveraging her vast network of professionals who have helped to develop Café Natüra and her business plan. Karen Bird, her CYBF mentor, played an important role in guiding her through the financial and accounting aspects of her business and instilling confidence. Her resourcefulness has been one of her greatest strengths.