Katherine Sampson is a professional speaker, accomplished businesswoman, and entrepreneur, best known as the founder of Healthy Habits, Australia’s largest sandwich franchise. After selling the business to the Dymocks Group, she has continued to build her portfolio, launching several innovative food brands. Her story is one of resilience, strategic vision, and bold decision-making — an inspiring journey she now shares with audiences across the country.

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About Katherine

Katherine Sampson is a seasoned entrepreneur best known as the founder of Healthy Habits, which she grew from a single sandwich bar into a 43-store franchise across Australia and New Zealand.

Starting in 1992 as a single mother of two, she transformed a run-down store in Knox City Shopping Centre into an award-winning brand, earning multiple Food Retailer of the Year titles and Overall Best Retailer Award at Knox City Shopping Centre.

After selling Healthy Habits to the Dymocks Group in 2012, Katherine returned to the hospitality industry with a portfolio of innovative food concepts, including HELLO SAM Burgers, Sam’s Cali Cantina, Little Green on Chapel and Chez Paul.

Her career reflects resilience, strategic growth, and a passion for creating successful, customer-focused brands.

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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”

Katherine Sampson’s journey is one of courage, resilience, and determination. In her honest and engaging presentation, she shares the highs and lows of building a national franchise while raising two children as a single mother.
She answers the questions many aspiring entrepreneurs ask:

  • What gave her the courage to take such a big step?
  • How did she balance life as a mother and business owner?
  • How did she fund her venture?
  • How did she manage the pressures of rapid growth?
  • Why did she sell, and were there moments of regret?
  • What comes next?

Perfect for audiences ready to step into the unknown or navigate their own business journey, Katherine’s story offers both inspiration and practical insight. She is available to present at events across Australia.

PRESENTATION TOPICS:

  • Women in Business
  • Starting and Growing a Franchise
  • Small Business Success Strategies
  • Building and Sustaining a Brand
  • Pivoting a struggling business
  • Navigating Business Partnerships
  • Working as a Husband-and-Wife Team
  • Attracting and Managing Investment Partners
  • Running and Scaling a Food Business
  • Taking Strategic Risks in Business

Featured Clients

KEY BRANDS AND ORGANISATIONS KATHERINE HAS PRESENTED TO:

Katherine has worked with businesses and associations across diverse industries, sharing her story and coaching audiences on overcoming challenges and achieving success in both business and 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
  • Channel 10 – Bread TV Show Featured Speaker
  • FCA – National Conference Keynote Speaker
  • Wealth Creator Entrepreneurs Course – Speaker
  • Harcourts International – Guest Speaker
  • 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
  • Glen Eira Council – Keynote Speaker
  • Veriu Hotel Group – Conference Guest Speaker
  • Punthill Apartments – Conference Guest Speaker
  • Western Downs Regional Council – Keynote Speaker
  • Cranbourne Park Shopping Centre – Event Speaker
  • Jaycar Electronics – Guest Speaker
  • Murrindindi Shite Council – Keynote Speaker
  • Direct Appliance Rentals – Conference Guest Speaker

  • 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

  • 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

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’
VIDEO: ‘A CURRENT AFFAIR’

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.