Name: Megan Jones
Age: 25
Job title: Director and co-founder
Company & location: Xite Energy, Bristol
Education: Bath Spa University, Acting
Why did you decide to go for a career in food? Xite was born off the back of our need for a drink that fitted in with our healthy lifestyle and our want for better ingredients. There was no drink in the market at the time that ticked all the boxes, so we decided to create one ourselves.
There was a moment where [co-founder] Oli and I looked at each other and said ‘are we really going to do this?’ and the next thing you know we had hopped on a train to London to visit a drinks facility. Two years later and here we are!
Explain your job to us in a sentence (or two): As we are a small team, I wear many hats within the company. I do everything and anything from production to NPD, sales and marketing.
What does a typical day look like for you? Most days blend into one big chaotic blur. One day I might be producing a content shoot and holding team meetings, another I’ll be experimenting with new flavours and products. Two days are never the same. That is one of the most interesting parts of working within food and beverage. It’s always super-fast moving. Because it’s so fast-paced, I find myself constantly switching from task to task, making sure the business’s priorities are fulfilled.
“My ultimate career dream? I’m basically already living it”
What’s the best part about working for a food company? I’m a huge believer that what we use to fuel our body and mind is so important. I love knowing that I have created a product that really does offer great benefits without compromising on health. It’s great to see more products like ours being put on the shelves.
And what’s the biggest misconception people have about working in food & drink? People always seem to assume that once you have your finished product, that’s the hard part done. Far from it! Having a good product is only the first step. It’s how you make it accessible, that’s when the work truly starts.
What advice would you give to other young people looking to get into the food & drink industry? Work with brands that align with your morals and interests. There are so many amazing brands both large and small that are disrupting the industry right now. They are always looking for innovative people to help drive the sector forward, so take advantage of that.
What’s your ultimate career dream? I’m basically already living it. I’m just enjoying the journey trying to turn Xite into a globally recognised brand.
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