Julia Kay: from making pizzas to co-founder of materials science company Great Wrap
What's the most valuable life lesson you've learned, so far? "Without love in your life, nothing is as fun. You exist outside of work!"
Short Cuts is an interview series in which Upside participants and faculty answer eight quick questions about their background, ambitions, and the superpower they’ve always wanted.
Julia moved from making pizzas at Eagle Boys to working in an architecture studio in Perth, where she designed wine bars.
She had always known that she wanted to have her own business, and after working in architecture for a decade, had a pretty strong idea of how she didn’t want a business of hers to be run.
Plantabl Packaging was born over piña coladas and, for Julia, is the perfect combination of challenge, creativity, and making things with her hands.
Julia lives in Melbourne with her husband, co-founder, and co-chef, Jordy, and a heap of resident backyard birds. Their favourite is called Eric.
👆 Julia (with her partner and co-founder Jordy) after winning Young Victorian of the Year last week 👏
Julia, who did you look up to when you were younger?
My mum and Britney Spears.
And who do you look up to now?
Still my family!
Tell us about the most valuable life lesson you’ve learned so far.
Without love in your life, nothing is as fun. You exist outside of work!
Describe what success looks like to you.
Happy with Jordy, sitting somewhere tropical. We’ve just taken my mum out for lunch and a walk on the beach. We’re healthy and we don’t have to worry too much about how much the meal cost us.
Tell us about something that you’re curious about at the moment.
So much! The first thing that springs to mind is the fastest way to become really good at playing my new bass guitar.
What brings you joy?
Jordy, my family, sharing food and wine with friends, art, music, and the beach.
Oh! And hot weather!
How would you describe your leadership style?
I cheated and asked a teammate in the office: “Umm, I feel like I would be describing your personality, but: warm, direct but not scary (lol), great memory, consistent, always there to help, you don’t ever overpromise - when you say you’ll do something, you actually do it, jack-of-all-trades, nothing is too hard, solution-oriented - you always find a solution for every problem, and calm. Also, it’s democratic leadership - you do the work with us and work together as a team.”
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
The ability to live underwater!
We’re all a work in progress.
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