In the heart of Napa Valley, a visionary emerged from a tapestry of dreams, passions, and a deep desire to make a difference. Katie Shaffer, the Founder of Feast it Forward, has woven a captivating journey that seamlessly intertwines her love for food, wine, and philanthropy. Her story is a testament to how life’s unexpected turns can lead to remarkable accomplishments, and how one woman’s determination can inspire transformative change.

Just over two decades ago, Katie made her move to the picturesque Napa Valley with aspirations of forging a career in the realm of food and wine. Her journey took an unexpected turn when, while overseeing events at a local winery, her mentor’s daughter was diagnosed with the rare Rett Syndrome. Despite being relatively new to the wine country, Katie recognized this as an opportunity to give back and make a meaningful impact, while uniting all the elements that ignited her passion.

In the year 2004, the Erika Van Giesen Foundation was co-founded by Katie Shaffer, alongside the launch of an annual culinary extravaganza named Erika’s Dream. The purpose was to lend support to the foundation. Through the funds raised, Katie played an instrumental role in establishing Katie’s Clinic at Children’s Hospital Oakland in 2006. This clinic continues to provide vital assistance to young girls and their families affected by Rett Syndrome across the Western United States. Erika’s Dream became a canvas for merging Katie’s loves – FOOD, WINE & PHILANTHROPY – while also hosting a remarkable celebration that showcased her flair for entertaining.

The year 2009 witnessed the emergence of Wine, Women & Shoes, an event centered around gastronomy and wine that would evolve into a highly successful national fundraising platform. In the same year, Katie introduced her inaugural wine label, Toolbox Wine Co. The mission behind this venture was to craft accessible, high-quality wines with a charitable component. A pivotal moment during Erika’s Dream in that same year led Katie to take a courageous step forward in turning her dreams and visions into reality.

With her eyes wide open, she embarked on a transformative journey, giving birth to Feast.Network. This digital platform aimed to captivate and inspire audiences through collaborations with master chefs, actors, tastemakers, athletes, and musicians. For nearly five years, original content was filmed across the country. As 2016 approached, Katie set her sights on erecting her flagship venture from the ground up – The Studio by Feast it Forward. After an intensive construction period spanning almost two years, The Studio opened its doors in downtown Napa in 2018. This remarkable live marketing space functions as a fusion of a film studio and an experiential showroom. Every aspect, from the moment visitors cross the threshold the expansive property is curated for on-camera sponsorship. Brands can seamlessly engage with guests through a virtual hub for shopping and a multi-winery tasting collective, offering glasses, bottle sales, and flights across the expansive property. Esteemed vintners like B. Wise Vineyards, Layne Family Wines, and Acre Wines are official sponsors, embedding themselves as integral components within the cinematic tapestry of the studio.

Amidst numerous community events hosted by The Studio, live stream sessions in the film studio take center stage. Notably, 100% of the audience’s ticket fees from these sessions are channeled toward the charity chosen by the visiting talents, adding another layer of philanthropic commitment to Katie’s enduring journey.

Turning Setbacks into Spectacles

Innovation and risk are tightly woven threads in Katie’s story, where she firmly believes that authenticity and passion can sway people to embrace the unconventional. As fortune would have it, the pandemic opened the door for her to take over an empty property behind their existing location, giving birth to The Yard by Feast it Forward. This outdoor event and music venue introduced a world of possibilities, featuring two-story IPME shipping containers for brand activations, picturesque Instagram spots, an array of food trucks, pop-up retail vendors, captivating art installations, and a vibrant stage. This expansion of experiential sponsorship opportunities marks what she lovingly refers to as an ongoing festival-like experience, regardless of the season.

Even as the pandemic left its indelible mark on society, Katie managed to navigate its challenges and turn them into opportunities. She harnessed her resources to bring The Yard to life, effectively transforming adversity into a sweet glass of lemonade. Through this venture, she seamlessly integrated all her creative facets and amplified the significance of her purpose-driven platform.

The Yard by Feast it Forward stands as a dynamic testament to Katie’s knack for innovation and adaptability, a tangible expression of her resolute dedication to harmonizing diverse elements into a seamless and immersive encounter. In the midst of pandemic uncertainty, she showcased a distinctive ability to convert setbacks into stepping stones, forging a space that exudes authenticity, fervor, and an unwavering commitment to making a positive difference.

Full Circle Giving

Katie adheres to the popular notion that what goes around eventually comes back around. Guided by this perspective, she places immense importance on providing an experiential playground that supports organizations aligned with her beliefs. The commitment to this approach is reflected in the array of fundraising events hosted at their venue. Notably, the film studio sessions they conduct contribute to charitable causes by directing audience ticket fees to the chosen charity of the on-camera participants.

Drawing from her own experience as a parent of two young children, Katie established a weekend lemonade stand situated in front of their Studio. This initiative serves a dual purpose: raising both awareness and funds for organizations benefiting from their bustling venue in downtown Napa. This lemonade stand venture not only cultivates a sense of community engagement but also imparts valuable lessons to children about social responsibility, the principles of entrepreneurship, and the significance of kindness. Through this simple yet impactful endeavor, Katie is fostering the growth of young minds attuned to making a positive impact on the world around them.

A Purposeful Journey

During her upbringing, Katie nurtured a variety of dreams, from excelling in sports against male counterparts and pursuing an artistic path to singing for crowds and the ambition to host events like Martha Stewart. Her educational journey took her through an art degree combined with collegiate sports, a brief stint in Nashville for singing, and a year in the nascent semi-pro soccer league. Embracing a nomadic spirit, she ventured into diverse passions fearlessly.

Her competitiveness was matched by an understanding that not every endeavor is about winning. Over time, her experiences coalesced into a quest to discover what truly resonated. Upon relocating to Napa Valley, she aimed to unify her myriad inspirations, transcending singular career pursuits. Witnessing the transformative power of bringing people together over exceptional food and wine, she birthed Feast it Forward.

This venture encapsulates Katie’s commitment to a purposeful life that makes a positive difference. It harmonizes her joy with a meaningful impact, creating a platform that amplifies shared experiences through culinary and oenological delights. Her journey embodies passion, resilience, and a dedication to effect change.

Forging Ahead with Grit

Katie possesses an uncanny ability to anticipate challenges and foresee obstacles before they even emerge, a skill that often draws skepticism and resistance. Unexpectedly, she thrives when backed into a corner. This propensity might stem from her competitive athletic background, where the understanding that victory isn’t guaranteed but the fight is obligatory fuels her spirit.

Owning a business necessitates a Gumby-like adaptability – constantly flexible and ready to be pulled in myriad directions. This dynamic resilience arises from being stretched thin but ultimately returning as a cohesive whole. Embracing failure is intrinsic to her approach; fearlessly attempting is her motto. The truth is, without trying, one can never truly know. The landscape of entrepreneurship is dotted with risks that can yield rewards, yet it’s in moments of failure that growth is most profound. Each setback becomes a stepping stone to finding the right path.

The cornerstone of Katie’s journey is a steadfast belief in her vision, matched only by her unwavering persistence and relentless passion. Through these elements, success ultimately takes root

Trailblazing Transformation

Katie firmly upholds the conviction that the customer-centric experience and uplifting lifestyle embodied by Feast It Forward will serve as a blueprint for reshaping how businesses interact, engage, and market their brands. Beyond this, its role as a media network through its streaming platform holds the power to unite partners spanning diverse industries, yielding a genuinely mutual benefit.

The realm of possibilities is dizzying, with myriads of opportunities unfolding before the company. Microsoft stands as a vital technology partner, supplying innovative products that have not only propelled Feast It Forward’s growth but also captured the undivided attention of its consumers. Within its showroom, the “shop the look” hub beckons guests to explore products in depth or make purchases with a simple click. Its media network, encompassing both live streaming and produced shows, establishes a vital link with fans and visitors who share an ardent interest in Feast It Forward’s core elements. All this is encapsulated by Feast It Forward’s tagline: “All things food, wine, and philanthropy with a taste of music… spiked with design.”

Vision for Feast It Forward’s Growth and Impact

Katie’s aspirations extend to the establishment of additional experiential Studio venues throughout the nation. This exciting endeavor will not only offer Feast It Forward’s vintner partners and national sponsors increased visibility in various markets but also infuse each venue with a distinct design aesthetic and interactive partners that resonate with the local culture and ambiance.

Although Feast It Forward’s current “products with purpose” retail line is modest, Katie envisions the creation of a robust lifestyle product range that champions social causes, potentially in collaboration with a major retail store. Her bold approach embraces grand visions, and she wholeheartedly believes that Feast it Forward possesses the potential to evolve into a renowned household lifestyle brand, deeply rooted in its authentic purpose. This vision, when realized, would solidify its role as a transformative force with a genuine impact.

Wisdom for Aspiring Difference-Makers

Katie’s guidance to those aspiring to make a difference is characterized by its broad applicability. She advocates for dreaming big and harnessing the energy that comes from facing challenges and bouncing back. With every fall, she encourages individuals to rise up stronger and keep moving forward. Persistence and hard work are crucial ingredients in this journey. Amidst the cacophony of negativity, she underscores the importance of letting the applause and encouragement resonate louder.

Katie’s philosophy involves embracing setbacks without hesitation, understanding that it’s part of the journey. She urges not to doubt one’s dreams, emphasizing authenticity as a cornerstone. In her eyes, each person is utterly unique, making their individuality irreplaceable. Her wisdom serves as a beacon for those seeking to blaze their trail, reminding them to stay steadfast, genuine, and unwavering in the pursuit of their aspirations.