CFE’s Jessica Henry sat down with UM Alumna and entrepreneur Kay Feker to answer a few questions about her life as an entrepreneur and founder (Revive Foods) and team member (Square) in the Bay Area. Jessica met Kay a few weeks ago to learn more about how she balanced both roles (including prepping for a Kickstarter campaign), her perspective on entrepreneurship, and what her post-Michigan life looks like today…

 

Tell us about yourself in 160-characters (or less!)

I’m a food-loving, travel craving, dog obsessed, film fanatic who is just looking to learn.  I work for Square and co-founded Revive Foods, a mission-driven food company fighting food waste.

 

What did your day look like yesterday?

Yesterday I started off my day around 6:30 AM. I didn’t have to go into the office this Friday for Square because I worked the last two Sunday shifts. I love cooking when I have the extra time, so I walked to the market and grabbed some things to make for breakfast with my boyfriend. We made sweet potato home fries, poached eggs, bacon, and topped it with Revive’s tomato jam.  After breakfast, I had to finish some work for Square which took around 2-3 hours. I then worked for 2.5 hours on Revive stuff which involved writing the script for our upcoming Kickstarter, locking down a food safety consultant, and crafting our Kickstarter strategy. At 1 PM I went to meet the purchasing manager of Off The Grid, a large food vendor in the Bay Area, for a potential sales account.  After our meeting, I made my way to our kitchen in Berkeley and made a large batch of our Vanilla Pear jam with my co-founder. We made around 12 gallons of jam. Once I got back into the city I met some friends for dinner and drinks then headed home to finish up the 4th season of Game of Thrones.

 

What is your definition of “entrepreneur?”

My definition of “entrepreneur” is someone who is crafting, creating, or building something. This can be anything. Whether you’re interested in opening your own cafe or developing the next big app, if you’re working to build something from scratch, I consider that an entrepreneurial endeavor.

 

What’s the best – and worst – advice you have ever received?

Best: “Never stop exploring, there is so much in the world to see and learn from.” – My dad

Worst: “You can’t have it all.”

 

What is your go-to read/listen/watch?

Read: I am a big fan of Chuck Palahniuk. I also love to read good cookbooks.

Listen: I am on that Podcast train. If not a podcast, then I listen to most any genre of music besides country. I love funk and soul – Leon Bridges is my current go-to.

Watch: I am currently plowing through Game of Thrones. But, a show I could rewatch over and over again, Parks and Rec.

 

What three words would best describe the Bay Area innovation culture?

Passionate. Competitive. Driven.

 

How can we learn more about Revive and/or Square?

If you signup for our newsletter at revivefoods.co, you’ll be kept up to date with all of our latest happenings. To learn more about Square, you can follow any of the latest articles in TechCrunch or our social media.

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