In this episode of WP Legends, we sit down with Katie Keith, co-founder and CEO of Barn2 Plugins. From running a small WordPress agency in a converted barn to building one of the most successful WooCommerce plugin brands, Katie shares her journey of transitioning from client services to product development, scaling a fully remote team, and expanding into new markets like Shopify.
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From Agency Life to Product Vision
Katie’s journey began in 2009 when she and her husband Andy launched a small WordPress agency. What started as building client websites soon revealed the limitations of agency work—low scalability and constant demands. This motivated them to shift focus toward product development, where they could create solutions with long-term value.
Launching Barn2 Plugins
In 2016, Katie and Andy launched Barn2 Plugins, starting with WooCommerce extensions that quickly gained popularity. Their first major hit was WooCommerce Product Table, a plugin that made it easy for store owners to display products in fast, filterable tables. This success paved the way for a growing portfolio of plugins that solved practical problems for WooCommerce store owners worldwide.
Scaling to 100,000+ Stores
Today, Barn2 Plugins powers over 100,000 WooCommerce stores in 100+ countries. Katie credits this growth to a focus on simplicity, excellent documentation, and strong customer support. By solving specific problems like quick ordering, product filtering, and content protection, Barn2 became a trusted brand in the WooCommerce ecosystem.
Expanding into Shopify
In recent years, Katie led Barn2’s expansion beyond WordPress by launching apps for Shopify. This move reflected her philosophy of diversifying product offerings and tapping into new markets, while still keeping the company’s roots in WooCommerce strong.
Leadership & Remote Team Culture
Katie runs Barn2 as a fully remote company, prioritizing flexibility, balance, and a supportive culture. She emphasizes the importance of hiring the right people, empowering them to work independently, and maintaining a focus on customer-first values.
Lessons & The Road Ahead
From her early days in a countryside barn to leading a global plugin company, Katie’s journey highlights the power of focus, adaptability, and listening to user needs. Looking ahead, Barn2 Plugins aims to expand its WooCommerce portfolio, grow its Shopify presence, and continue empowering online stores around the world.
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