Interview with Jessica Kates — Private Equity Investor and Rellevant Co-Founder The Irresistible Factor

Two years ago, Jessica Kates co-founded Rellevant, an early-stage growth equity firm, unique because of the way they conduct business — they provide strategic advice, rooted in real business experience. That work experience comes through Jessica’s long line of diverse and exciting job opportunities — from investment banker to hedge fund manager, from CFO of an online consumer products retailer to CEO of a fashion startup in New York.On The Irresistible Factor, Jessica tells host Kristi Bridges why she’s created a niche working with food-related, lower-middle market companies, particularly restaurants and restaurant technology.Jessica and Kristi discuss the value that Rellevant brings to their partners, some of the exciting companies they are investing in, and how they decide what to put their time and money into. Jessica also shares valuable advice for founders with companies in the early stages of growth: “Make sure what you’re doing is on point with your strategy, and also work simultaneously to improve the brand equity. Because that’s the only thing you can really speak to at these early stages.”