Welcome to Zerocater’s Culture Club where we’ll introduce you to the standout stars working behind the scenes to make sure our customers have delicious office meals and snacks, each and every time.
Jessica’s energy, drive, and passion for our business help her to build strong relationships and partnerships with her clients. She is always seeking ways to make herself and those around her better. In her sales role, Jessica is opening new doors, working her network and truly adding value to our startup in Chicago!
Name: Jess Kwan
Title: Associate Account Executive
City: Chicago
What does Zerocater do?
Zerocater connects companies with amazing local restaurants. We curate custom food solutions that help companies feed their people and promote culture. We do all of this while providing top-notch service and support to our clients and vendor partners. We truly care about what we are doing!
Tell us about your role on the team, and how it’s grown since you started.
I am currently an Associate Account Executive in Chicago. When I started in February of 2016, I came onboard as a Client Success Coordinator. Throughout these past two years, I’ve worn many hats in a remote office. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with every region. I was able to visit and work from our HQ in SF, and I helped with training CSAs in ATX a few times. I also managed several NY accounts and learned so much from that CS team. I expressed my interest to transition to our sales team in late summer of 2017, and here I am now!
What were you doing before, and why did you decide to join Zerocater?
Prior to Zerocater, I was working in the restaurant industry as a Reservations and Events Manager. My favorite prior job was working at Siena Tavern, an extremely popular restaurant in the heart of the River North neighborhood in Chicago. I have always loved the hospitality industry but was looking for the role that would allow me to learn more and to grow as a professional. When I came across the job listing for Zerocater, I was immediately drawn to the opportunity to speak about what I love and know (food and restaurants), and the opportunity to learn from a growing tech startup.
What is the hardest part of your role at Zerocater?
I think the hardest part of my role is balancing my time between menu planning for current on-demand clients and onboarding new clients. Some days are busier than others, and holiday celebrations are always a busy time for me! I am improving in finding this balance and it helps that I can ask for help from my colleagues and manager when needed.
What is the best part of your role at Zerocater?
The best part of my role is the people I work with! I really enjoy being a part of the Chicago team, and I have some great people that work next to me (and remotely) on a daily basis. I also love my clients and it feels great when I can help them and know that they can rely on me to plan a perfect meal or event.
What are the opportunities for growth at Zerocater?
I have grown so much at Zerocater, it is truly phenomenal. I have had the opportunity to grow into other roles; I have learned so much, and continue to learn. I am growing my skills in account management, project management, direct sales, and a bit of marketing. Zerocater also offers an education benefit which allowed me to take a CRM course at DePaul University. There are so many opportunities to grow!
At this moment, what are you most excited about at Zerocater?
I’m so excited about my colleagues earning well-deserved promotions! Seeing the growth of this company and knowing that hard work does not go unnoticed, drives me to strive for my very best.
How do you start your day?
I wake up and walk my dog, Piper, around the neighborhood for at least 30 minutes (rain or shine). Then I enjoy a good cup of coffee to get my day started, with a little sprinkle of social media catch up, and then I work my way to my email.
Tell us two lies and one truth about yourself?
I have traveled all over the world
I have lived in Chicago my whole life
I like scary movies
If there was a movie made about your life what would the movie title be and who would you want to play you?
I would love to have an animated movie made about my life similar to “Kung Fu Panda” or ”Happy Feet”, and yes, I would want to be an animated panda (I just love pandas). My movie title: “Follow Your Dreams: A Panda Story” and I would like to do my own voice over and play myself. But, I would like Michelle Obama to narrate my story like how Planet Earth is narrated between different scenes.
What do you like to do when you’re not at work?
I am currently enrolled in a 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training, and I love practicing yoga. I also really enjoy cooking (and reading cookbooks) and I cook dinner almost every evening.
Last question, what is your favorite meal you’ve had at Zerocater?
Everything we have is so good, but if I had to choose, I have two items I really crave. It’s definitely a tie between the Kimcheesy Rice Balls from Yum Dum Truck and Avanti Caffe’s Penne ala Vodka. *insert drooling emoji face*
And for the record, the truth is…Jess has lived in Chicago her entire life.
