Kay Diggs is the founder and CEO of Tappetite, an app that allows you to buy fresh, homemade baked goods from nearby vendors. Kay spends her time working on Tappetite and caring for her two children.
What part of Arizona do you call home?
I call Phoenix home.
How did you get started as an entrepreneur?
After becoming unemployed, I wanted to work as a baker and open a bakery. It is a passion I had for long time, and I wanted to be independent. I actually went to school for something totally different, another great passion of mine, science.
How did you come up with the idea for Tappetite?
Three years ago, I was looking into starting a bakery when I was faced with so many challenges. Brick and mortar meant risk, loss of social life, and big money up front. There was a huge home bakery market on Facebook, but it was a chaotic scene for a baker to handle, and pay-per-click gets expensive for a home baker. During my research I met with many home bakers who were facing the same issues. I met also with newcomers to the country, like immigrants and refugees who spoke no English, but wanted an income to sustain them and their families.
I thought of all the women who are stuck at home who really want to support themselves and their families, but are limited by either their circumstances, like having to stay home with their children, or limited by their language. They also may not have the education necessary to enter the workforce. Baking many women’s passion, and since the state of Arizona licenses bakers to utilize their kitchen ovens to sell certain types of baked goods and confectionaries, I thought I had to find a solution for these women.
What is your favorite part about running a business?
My favorite part about running a business is meeting all the great people. The nature of my job gives me the honor to meet many women from different segments of our society as well as other entrepreneurs and community leaders.
What was the biggest challenge in executing your business idea?
The biggest challenge hands down has been technology. Finding the right technical partner is not an easy task.
How long have you lived or worked in Arizona?
I have lived in Arizona since 2001.
If you could only describe your city with one word, which word would it be?
Empathetic.
What’s your favorite thing about living in Arizona?
I love the sense of community we have here in Arizona. Working on a social venture has made me proud to be a part of this amazing, giving community.
What’s your least favorite thing about living in Arizona?
I would say the traffic. Getting stuck on I10 or I17 is not fun at all.
The foodie scene is growing bigger and bigger by the day here in Arizona. What is your favorite place to get breakfast in your city?
I love breakfast at The Henry.
What’s your favorite place to grab lunch?
The Viet Kitchen on Cave Creek and Loop 101 is the best place in the west Valley for pho.
What’s your favorite dinner spot?
Takamatsu Restaurant. Korean BBQ is a family favorite.
What’s your favorite place to work in your city aside from your office?
I previously worked at CO+HOOTS a lot. I will be working at Seed Spot when they open their new location in the warehouse district soon.
Best place for a meeting over drinks?
I’m not picky when it comes to meetings over drinks. Although I have to say I love The Duce’s atmosphere.
What is your favorite memory from Arizona?
Taking my children to Flagstaff in the winters to experience the snow, and horseback riding at my friend’s ranch.
What is something about living in Arizona that only a local would know of?
“It’s a dry heat” is something we comfort ourselves with when it is burning hot outside. But we love it no matter what.
Any tips for new Arizona residents?
Get ready to enjoy hiking and experiencing winter like you never have before, if you are coming from a cold state.
