BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: Sissa

DECORAH — Early last month, Katie Kollasch quietly opened the doors to one of Decorah's newest businesses. Sissa is a shop and studio rooted in connection, bringing together practices, people, and thoughtfully curated goods that support embodied living. It's a space to gather, reconnect, and build community. The shop, located at 111 E. Water Street, offers a curated selection of books, apothecary, candles, and artisan goods that are mostly ethically sourced, organic and free of synthetic fragrances and fillers. Many of the collaborating artists and companies give back to the land and community. Alongside the shop, Sissa hosts a rotating selection of classes and gatherings, including yoga, sound baths, workshops, circles, and one-on-one sound sessions. Offerings are led by Kollasch and other local or visiting practitioners, welcoming collaboration with those who feel aligned with the space. DecorahNews.com spoke with Kollasch about her experience with opening Sissa. DN: What inspired you to start this business? KK: Sissa grew out of a personal journey of learning to slow down, trust my instincts, and reconnect with my body in a more attentive way through mindfulness, movement, and a deeper awareness of what I need. Over time, that became a desire to create a space where others could explore that for themselves, in a way that feels grounded and approachable. It's about reconnecting with all parts of ourselves and creating shared experiences that help bridge the gaps between our stories. DN: What is your background, and how did you develop your skill set? KK: I graduated from Pacific Grove High School in California. Much of my learning has come through life experience and continued personal study. My first job was at a shop called Rabbits and More, a gift store centered around, you guessed it, rabbits. As it turns out, I'm quite allergic. I discovered this the hard way, with swollen eyes, trouble breathing, the whole scene, all while trying to help customers with adoptable rabbits. With a house bunny on site and rabbits in the shop every Saturday, it wasn't exactly a sustainable career path, so we eventually parted ways. My background is rooted in both formal study and personal practice. I've trained in sound healing, meditation, EFT for trauma and PTSD, Reiki, and other energy-based modalities, along with practices in yoga, Ayurveda, and somatic movement. Over time, this work has come together through hands-on experience, shaping how I support others in a way that feels practical, intuitive, and accessible. DN: Tell us how you market your business to grow sales. KK: I'm still building this piece, but my focus has been on networking and forming genuine connections within the community, which has been the most meaningful part so far. I also use social media and local resources like Decorah Now to help spread the word and reach new people. DN: What has been your biggest success to date? KK: Opening the doors has been my biggest success so far. DN: What is the best thing a customer ever said about your business? KK: "You can feel the heart and intention in this space. It just feels good to be in here." DN: What has been the biggest challenge that you were able to solve? How did you do it? KK: One of the biggest challenges was bringing the physical space to life in a way that could shift between retail and classes. I envisioned warm wood, a welcoming feel, and flexible pieces like a sales counter on wheels and displays that could easily move to open up the room. I was lucky to work with a talented local carpenter and friend, Paul Cutting, who helped bring that vision to life. His craftsmanship not only elevated the space, but made it incredibly functional for how the studio is used day to day. DN: If you believe you've embraced technology well in running your business, tell us what you did or how you did it. KK: I'm still getting there. I've been learning as I go, building the website myself and getting familiar with my POS system. It's been a hands-on process, but it's helping me better understand how everything works together. DN: What inspires you to get out of bed every morning? KK: My family, a strong sense of purpose, and the opportunity to share and build community. I genuinely love life in all its layers, and that continues to inspire me each day. DN: What is the best business advice you've ever received? KK: Not everything needs to be perfect right away. It just needs to be created with intention. From there, you keep evolving and shaping it into what it's meant to be. DN: What are the one or two things within your business that you need to improve upon over the next 12 months? KK: Time management and balancing all the moving parts of the business. Over the next year, I hope to create more space for facilitation and creativity, bring on support for administrative work, and continue building strong connections within the community. I will also continue learning and expanding my knowledge so I can grow alongside the needs of the community. DN: What interesting fact about your business don't most people know? KK: The name for the business, Sissa, came in an unexpected way. As I was falling asleep the night we put in the offer on the building, after going back and forth on names, I suddenly saw "Sissa" on a cobalt blue storefront. It's not like me to settle on a name or a color so quickly, but this one felt clear. Every time I questioned it, it kept coming back. Sissa was my mother, Melliss's (no 'a' on the end), nickname. She was someone who loved big, was never afraid to share it, and who always held space for those who needed it. The name also echoes the word "sister," carrying a sense of connection, familiarity, and belonging. That spirit continues to shape the space. DN: What is your favorite book? KK: I could never choose just one. Books have been a big part of my life, from working in libraries, newsrooms, and bookstores to now curating them in the shop. Even the original Sissa always had her nose in a book. There are just too many that have meant something to me, and I like to think there are always more waiting to be discovered. DN: What is your favorite genre of music or favorite musical group? KK: That's a tough one. My taste in music is pretty vast, but if I'm in the mood to sing along, I tend to gravitate toward anything with a blues influence or a good musical. DN: Of all the places to which you've traveled, what has been your favorite and why? KK: Honduras. I was only there for a short time, but it left a lasting impression. It's incredibly beautiful, and there was something about the energy of the place, the people, the pace, the feeling of it, that felt really special. DN: What civic causes do you belong to, or how do you give back to the community? KK: Back home in Skagway, Alaska, I was involved in a number of volunteer efforts, including work with breast cancer awareness and childcare organizations, and I have been a long-time member of the Elks, Emblem and Eagles clubs. Since moving to Decorah, we are still getting our footing with family and our businesses, but I look forward to becoming more involved in local community and civic efforts over time. DN: When you're not working, what is your favorite thing to do? KK: Spending time with my family, being social, and getting outside whenever I can. I love going on little adventures and always have a book nearby. My interests tend to be all over the place. DN: What one bit of advice would you give to a young person looking to get started in operating their own business? KK: You'll never feel fully ready, but if you're passionate and have the support around you, it's worth going for it. Editor's note: Business Spotlights are produced by the newsroom of DecorahNews.com and are not a paid advertisement. The goal is to recognize area businesses by telling their stories. It is challenging to be an entrepreneur, regardless of the type or age of the business. DecorahNews.com recognizes the huge role that businesses play in our rural communities. If you own a business in Decorah or Winneshiek county and would like to be considered for an upcoming Business Spotlight, tell us about your business here.