Meet KPU: Sara Jonsdottir

Jonsdottir sent the following responses in an email statement to The Runner. 

When did you join the KPU community and why?

I joined KPU in 2012 when I packed my bags and moved from Iceland to Canada literally the day before classes started! I had lived in Canada when I was younger and decided to return to study at the Wilson School of Design. My goal was to become a technical designer and pattern master. I had heard amazing things about KPU, and a successful interior design alum I knew spoke so highly of the school that it sealed the deal for me. It was a bit of a whirlwind, but looking back, it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

What’s your favourite story of your time at KPU?

This might sound chaotic (and it was), but my favourite time was in my final year when I juggled three part-time jobs while finishing school. I loved the program, but I was equally passionate about getting real-world experience, so I worked at three different design companies in Vancouver — one corporate giant, one mid-sized company, and a small local design shop.

That experience completely shaped my career path. By the time I graduated, I knew I didn’t want the “glamorous” corporate job where I had little responsibility. I wanted to be somewhere mid-sized, where I could take on a lot and grow quickly. That decision made all the difference in my career. It was at this midsized company that I learned a lot of my skills that directly translated into the early start of my business.

What’s something you’d like to say to people new to the KPU community?

Make connections! You never know who might be reviewing your resumé one day or who might introduce you to your dream job. The people around you — your classmates, your professors, even the person you sit next to in the library — could be part of your future network. Never burn bridges, and always leave people with a good impression.

But don’t just leave a good impression — leave a lasting one. The connections you make now can shape your future in ways you can’t predict. In fact, I even ended up bringing my fourth-year professor on as our VP of business development at Revol Cares. You never know how these relationships will evolve, so be yourself, be memorable, and build real connections.

What are you working on right now?

Right now, my nine to five — and beyond — is Revol Cares, a company I founded that’s growing like crazy. We make high-absorbency reusable period and incontinence products, and in January, we wrapped up a $2-million seed round — such a huge milestone! 

But my five to nine project is digging into menstrual and women’s health policy. I’ve been looking at things like the unfair tax differences between menstrual products and male health products, and now I’m finally in a position to do something about it. It’s exciting work, and I feel like I’m just getting started. 

What’s something you’d like people to know about you?

I’m a mom! I think it’s so important to show that women can be incredibly successful in business, make an impact, and build a family — all at the same time. It takes a lot of support (and I have a great team around me), but I never let it hold me back from going after my goals. It also helps that my husband, Mayo Santos, is my business partner, so I get to work alongside my best friend every single day.