Port High grad opens nutrition store in Grafton

Katherine Gordon wants to help people get healthy, so she recently opened Resilient Nutrition in downtown Grafton.

“I’m amazed with the turnout so far,” she said. “I didn’t think people would notice me.”

On May 3, Gordon launched her business at 1207 11th Ave. in the former U.S. Cellular store that was there about 15 years.

Gordon graduated from Port Washington High School in 2016 and went on to pursue a social work degree, but she decided to engage in another venture after working for a nutrition club at the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

“I want to help people who want to be helped,” she said. “I want this space to be a resource for others who want to escape a negative situation and improve their wellbeing.”

Gordon said she grew up in foster care and relied on her teachers from the Port Washington-Saukville School District to help her navigate to where she is today.

“When I was setting up this place, my teachers and mentors helped me paint and install a bar and TV screens here,” she said. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without them. Not only did they help me start this business, they helped me grow up and be where I am today.”

Gordon offers her customers smoothies, teas, coffees and meal replacement shakes that promote nutrition. She said the coronavirus pandemic has spurred many people to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

“During the pandemic, I’ve notice many people have been changing their eating habits and lifestyles and they want to continue that process after the pandemic subsides. That’s why I’m here,” Gordon said.

As her clientele grows, Gordon said, she wants to offer classes and other opportunities for people to gather at her store to learn about healthy lifestyles.

"So far, this has been a really cool experience talking and interacting with people. I’m feeding off of their ideas and I want to provide more resources for them,” she said. “Every day I have a new idea of what I can do. I want to create a positive environment for people who have been in my shoes.”