search by region
Pacific-West West Central Mid-West South-East North-East
  • Region
Pacific-West West Central Mid-West South-East North-East
  • Location
  • to search by radius, close this filter and enter a zip code in the search box above
  • Category
  • Type
  • Compensation
Kitty Brosnan
Owner
Pontem – Farm to Table Marketing
June 17, 2014

It used to be the common refrain when we talked about what Good Food Jobs is: 'But, are there really that many jobs in food, besides restaurants and stuff?' Kitty has done us proud in proving our point - that there are endless ways to work with food, whether you're in or outside of the kitchen - by creating her own marketing company to help sell the great products that her clients create.

When did you know that you wanted to work in food?

While in school, I met people from all corners of the world and I was very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work and study abroad.  This was an eye opening experience - an introduction to multiple cultures from all over.  However, despite all of our cultural differences, everyone had one thing in common - FOOD.   Food is a bridge. It brings people together and we all need it to survive. While in grad school, I toyed around with the idea of what I could do in the food world. Through networking, I met the founder of a South African wine company - a young woman that started working in corporate America to running her own enterprise. She gave me advice that has stuck with me for years: "Do something different than your friends."  And that's what I set out to do when I created Pontem.

How did you get your current good food job?

I started it! I decided to take the leap and begin my own company. After many discussions with various food producers, importers, farmers, etc., I saw a marketing need for these companies.  In most cases, these entrepreneurs are bakers, farmers, vintners, fermenters first and foremost!  That is their specialty. That is where they thrive.  That is what they're good at.  I'm not saying that they can't do marketing, but in my conversations with many of them, I found that they'd much rather be elbows deep doing their craft versus developing marketing programs. And that's where I come in - developing marketing programs for this industry is what I enjoy.  It's a win-win!  For example, I've been working with a farmers market in Massachusetts, helping them to expand their vendor base, start up an internship program, identify advertising outlets, create partnerships in their community and developing a series of classes and food demos.  I've also been working with a Seattle based food import company, helping them organize and arrange an east coast client/prospect event.  Given my location in NYC, I am acting as their onsite Marketing Manager.

How did your previous work or life experience prepare you for a good food job?

I have 15+ years of marketing experience in the corporate world in various industries. I apply similar programs but customize them to the industry, to the client and to the end customer. You've got to be a people person and be open to trial and error. Things don't always pan out the way you expect, so you must be receptive to that (embrace the times you fail and learn from that!) as well as be creative in order to find a different way to achieve your goal.

What was the greatest obstacle you had to overcome in pursuing your Good Food Job dream?

Validation was my tough obstacle. "Do people need marketing support? Would they hire me?  Can I deliver what they want and need?" Everyone I spoke with - clients, vendors at a farmers market, my network of colleagues in the industry - they all encouraged me.  They felt Pontem was a great idea, that there is a need and that I should go after it.

What can you identify as the greatest opportunities in food right now?

I think Food Hubs are pretty interesting right now, especially since they can be found in many different formats with many different definitions. I also think as food allergies receive more and more attention, especially among children, that there will be opportunities for different types of food producers and food education.

If you could be compensated for your work with something other than money, what would it be?

Perhaps traveling to different parts of the world.  I think that would be a nice exchange!  And then during my travels, I could help small producers from different parts of the world market their products to the US.

Related Jobs