This New Era

Sarah has honestly been one of the biggest supporters of The Family Tie Project long before it was anything more than a pipe dream. Early on, there was consistent encouragement around creativity, ideas, and growth in a way that made bigger possibilities feel attainable. Sarah is one of the most passionate people imaginable, and everything she touches receives an incredible amount of energy, dedication, and care. Moving an entire life to the Catskills to follow a dream says everything about the level of commitment brought to both life and business.

She is also an absolute shark when it comes to sales.

Any vision becomes something tangible in her hands because the vision is seen clearly from the start. Ideas are translated into excitement for others in a way that feels natural and convincing. Value is increased through instinct, and experiences are elevated through a strong understanding of detail and guest perception. There is also a very strong awareness of trends within the hospitality industry, especially throughout the Catskills, which consistently shows in her work.

There is a certain energy brought into every project that makes things feel exciting and fun. Not to mention, a natural ability to bring people together while still shifting quickly into execution when needed. The phrase “always be closing” reflects the approach accurately. Opportunities are often created simply through the ability to see potential and communicate it clearly to others.

Our story goes back to 2018, about a year before joining Foster Supply Hospitality, when Sarah and I would cross paths at local events in Callicoon and she would begin referring me to her couples for wedding coordination work. Both of us were living in Callicoon during that period, and it was not until a morning meeting at the Callicoon Café that things took a real turning point. That conversation shifted the entire perspective on what the future could look like. Sarah brought a light and a level of vision that was not yet fully seen internally at the time, and it opened the door to a completely new way of thinking about where things could go.

Looking back now, that conversation reads as the beginning of a much larger creative partnership that would continue to evolve through different seasons, life changes, and into a new era of collaboration.

Fast forward to the pandemic; the events industry expanded rapidly as postponed weddings and celebrations flooded our calendars. The 2022 season became one of the busiest and most creatively demanding periods experienced in hospitality.

During that time, there were constant opportunities to rethink presentation and guest experience. This was also the period where the bond strengthened, as both parties worked toward a shared goal, vision, and standard of execution that continuously raised the bar.

Both of us were growing within the company and stepping into larger leadership roles together. Going through promotions, increased responsibilities, high-pressure seasons, and constant growth alongside one another became a major part of the partnership itself. The pace was intense, but it created a strong foundation built on trust, creativity, and a shared standard for execution.

At the time, elevated catering displays were not nearly as common as they are now. What started as simple setups became a shared focus on building more intentional and elevated guest experiences. Even something like a pizza station turned into a moment to define a standard rather than just fill a space, evolving into something that reflected detail, value, and design.Together, there was a consistent effort to push expectations forward, turning a shared vision into a lasting approach that influenced the way events were executed.

Some of the best memories from those years came from planning company parties together. Space Cowboy became one of those themes that people still talk about, and our Prom theme somehow turned into the perfect combination of chaos, nostalgia, and hospitality magic. Those parties reflected the same approach that now carries into Smokd Catskills. Nothing is ever done halfway, whether it is a birthday party or a wedding. Every detail matters, and every experience needs to feel immersive, intentional, and memorable.

Now that both chapters at Foster Supply have closed, which still feels surreal in many ways, the same creative energy and standards that were built over the years have naturally carried into something entirely new.. None of it was planned or organized as you might expect, which somehow makes this next chapter feel even more meaningful..

This weekend marks the beginning of Smokd Catering X TFTP alongside a 50th birthday celebration filled with thoughtful details, including a crudité station, salad station, barbecue station, desserts, and late-night snacks that are especially exciting.

More than anything, this new chapter feels full circle. Years of hospitality, creativity, problem solving, celebration, and very big ideas somehow continue to lead back to creating experiences together.

-KW

Let's Do This