Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Kwong.
Jessica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am the founder of Jack & Friends, a company creating plant-based jerky for any lifestyle. My background is a little less traditional than most food entrepreneurs, as I graduated with a bachelor’s in Food Science from Cornell University after learning about technical areas like sensory analysis, quality, safety, etc. During my four years there, I led Cornell’s IFTSA & Mars product development team to national and international wins and gained R&D and commercialization experience in everything from yogurt to baby food to baked goods at companies ranging from startups to multi-billion-dollar corporations like Hain Celestial and Mondelez International. The initial concept for a jackfruit-based jerky stemmed from a product I created as the leader of this competition team, and I felt there was a huge amount of potential for continued development. The plant-based market in general was so attractive as a food scientist because there’s an incredible amount of opportunity for product innovation, and jackfruit as an ingredient is extremely versatile in terms of its flavor capacity and textural properties. Although it is used in meat alternative meals, jackfruit was underutilized, in my opinion, in snack applications. More importantly, I was (and still am) passionate about establishing a brand that embodied inclusivity, and it seemed like a perfect ingredient to serve as a foundation in creating products that fit under this platform. It was this passion and my confidence in my technical skill set that led me to turn down a full-time offer from Mondelez to pursue Jack & Friends full-time immediately after graduation.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey through entrepreneurship has definitely not been a smooth one—and I’m sure almost all founders will feel the same! There haven’t been many days where I’m not putting out some sort of fire (especially as a young, solo founder), but the most challenging aspect of growing Jack & Friends has been the scale-up process, as our product is unique and comes with non-conventional manufacturing compared to many other CPG products. Finding a contract manufacturer that not only has the capabilities to produce our jerky at scale and at the desired quality but is also open to working with an early-stage startup was not easy. Now, over three years after our soft launch, we are finally making that transition to a wonderful partner to scale up our production. In general, navigating the first major inflection point or growth phase—and all the manufacturing, marketing, fundraising, etc., that comes with it—as a brand that has largely been bootstrapped to date is a constant (and demanding) learning experience.
As you know, we’re big fans of Jack & Friends. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Jack & Friends believes in inclusivity—especially when it comes to food. We are committed to crafting products you can feel good about eating, regardless of your lifestyle or diet, so you can enjoy food without compromising on quality. Too many foods (especially snacks) force us to sacrifice one benefit for another: high protein but not allergen-free, low fat but not low sugar, plant-based but inconvenient. Even within the vegan jerky category, consumers are forced to choose between high protein content and allergen-friendly status among the current options. While there is no shortage of plant-based jerky or better-for-you snack brands, no other product has the complete combination of taste, texture, nutritional benefits, and lifestyle inclusivity of Jack & Friends as a jerky that is not only vegan and top 8 allergen-free, but also a good source of protein and fiber with no added sugar. Whether you’re a vegan fitness enthusiast in need of plant-based protein or an overworked analyst looking for convenient desk snacks, a health-conscious student buying fuel for study sessions, or a parent purchasing food for an allergen-sensitive family, Jack & Friends jerky can seamlessly and deliciously fit into your lifestyle. Future product lines that are outside of the jerky category and more “center of the plate” but still fit under the Jack & Friends brand and mission are also in ideation and early R&D to expand Jack & Friends’ portfolio and allow us to satisfy a greater portion of consumers’ lifestyles.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I really love the diversity of landscapes and cultures within and adjacent to LA. There are not only a variety of distinct neighborhoods within the city but also completely different natural landscapes (forests, deserts, rock formations, etc.) an hour’s drive outside of it. I definitely envy that accessibility as someone based in New York! I will say that I don’t envy LA traffic—my least favorite aspect of the city haha.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.jackandfriendsjerky.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/jackandfriendsjerky
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jackandfriendsjerky
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jackandfriendsjerky
