With a mission to make caviar more approachable, Petra Bergstein Higby co-founded The Caviar Co., a San Francisco-based caviar purveyor, with her sister, Saskia. Bergstein Higby is also in the process of opening a Champagne and caviar-tasting room in Tiburon. Learn about Petra Bergstein Higby…
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
First job: My first job was working as an office assistant for an audiology office that fits hearing aids.
Favorite ways to spend your free time in CA: Exploring everything California has to offer with my family, whether it’s tasting our way through wine country, sailing on the San Francisco Bay, or driving down Highway 1.
Your biggest accomplishment and why: Being a businesswoman while being a mother. There are certainly challenges juggling the two, but the reward is far greater. I get to look forward to going to work every day and loving what I do. I also get to be filled with love, hugs and kisses when I get home. Neither would be possible without my husband.
The biggest obstacle you overcame: Of course, during this particular time, COVID-19 has certainly been an obstacle for the books. This past year has been a roller coaster of emotions, stress and very big decisions. Understanding new regulations, making sure my employees feel safe, all while trying to run a business has provided many challenges. However, with the support of my team, we were able to pivot and get creative with our “new normal.” Offering virtual caviar tastings, curbside pickup and delivery options are all examples of changes we have made to keep moving forward.
Someone who inspires you and why: My father inspires me immensely. Some days, he could be awake and leaving for work in Texas before I am even asleep in California. He has shown me what it means to turn obstacles into triumphs and how important it is to treat your employees with respect and appreciation. He has also been the perfect example of how to run a successful business with a combination of hard work and the highest of ethical standards.
Advice to someone pursuing a career path in what you do: Take one step at a time. You honestly never know where life will take you and what great opportunities lay ahead.
Favorite quote: “Never lose sight of the fact that the most important yardstick of your success will be how you treat other people–your family, friends and coworkers, and even strangers you meet along the way.” –Barbara Bush
Something someone would be surprised to learn about you: I am really quite shy and pushed out of my comfort zone on a daily basis.
What makes someone fabulous: I think what makes someone fabulous is how they make other people feel. Everyone deserves a smile, a “have a good day” and to feel welcome.