Investing in Clean Cuisine
WHO IS STRAY DOG CAPITAL?
Stray Dog Capital is a Venture Capital firm that drives alternative ways to the use of animals in the supply chain through investments, expertise and support. The largest goal for the company is to shift away from animal use into more innovative, delicious and nutritious food. “I saw an opportunity with Millennials, because the generation is already eating this way,” Lisa Feria said. Some of the companies the Capital was able to fund include: Beyond Meat, Eat your Coffee, Good Seed Burger and Memphis meats.
Fun fact:
Lisa Feria is a triathlete. Not only does she maintain healthy eating habits, but she also makes sure that her wellness is complimented by physical activity.
Lisa Feria, CEO of Stray Dog Capital, leads a venture capital firm that drives the green market offering plant-based products, like Beyond Meat, Eat Your Coffee, Good Catch, among other brands.
PUERTO RICAN entrepreneur Lisa Feria is not just living the American Dream, she is the true definition of the term. With values deeply rooted in the heart of San Juan, Puerto Rico, Feria strives to become a woman out of the ordinary. “My undergraduate began at the University of Puerto Rico,” Feria said. “But I always had this thing in me.”
The thing Feria is referring too, would best be described as “ambition.” Ever since she was young, Feria never experienced life outside of Puerto Rico. The ambition she possessed wanted her to achieve more in life and expand her boundaries. “I wanted to achieve and fight for a better life,” Feria said. “I wanted to try my luck in the United States.”
Soon after moving to the U.S., the powerful Latina decided to expand her educational opportunities by starting school at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The transfer posed no challenge for Feria, as her biggest problem came from the acquisition of the English language.
“I had to adjust and expand,” Feria said, when discussing the transition from Spanish to English.
She was able to land her first job out of college. An opportunity was presented to work at General Mills. “At GM, I was in charge of operations and I had the responsibility for running the third shift,” Feria said. “Right after college, I had over 100 employees reporting to me.”
As a Hispanic, one thing she knew she could not do was, “letting yourself be drown by the situation.”
Sticking to with an ambitious mindset, the courageous Latina pushed herself once again. “I started to do my MBA at the University of Chicago,” Feria said. During her time as an MBA student, Feria kept receiving more opportunities, this time to teach as a second-year student. Shortly after, Feria decided to move on and join Procter & Gamble.
“During my time at P&G, I became vegetarian,” Feria said. This life-altering decision led Feria to take matters into her own hands. “I realized I wanted to find alternative ways to fund and feed ourselves and the growing population,” Feria said. “I really wanted to help more people find healthier, better food for the environment. “
In September of 2015, Feria joined the company Stray Dog Capital as CEO. Feria’s plans to change how and what people consume were now in the palm of her hands. “I really want to make this world a little bit better,” Feria said.
As a successful Latina herself, Feria hopes that other women of color can follow in her footsteps.
“I think we should never be intimidated by that fact that we want to learn and improve and grow,” Feria said. Feria has plenty of advice for Latinas hoping to break out in the business spectrum: “Surround yourself with supportive people and make sure you are in the right place.”