Kurtis Warren ‘04 on finding success his way

Kurtis Warren '04 is an entrepreneur, investor, and part-time developer. Despite his many successes, he hesitates to be celebrated, saying he has never felt like the quintessential Meadowridge graduate. We beg to differ. While some graduates enroll in the standard, four-year undergraduate degree, others take a more meandering path. Kurtis is one such graduate, someone who has established himself through a mix of experience, smart decision-making, and an insatiable curiosity. 

Finding His Place at Meadowridge
Kurtis's journey to Meadowridge began with a bit of conflict. "I had been getting into trouble at my old school, and my parents thought a smaller community might help— especially going into Grade 9," he recalls. Starting fresh was daunting. "It felt like I was beginning my social journey from scratch," he says. But those fears quickly faded.

Surrounded by supportive teachers and a close-knit group of friends, Kurtis found his place.

Meadowridge's small community encouraged him to explore new activities. Kurtis, who had never been involved in cocurriculars before, joined volleyball and musical theatre, participating in school productions and plays. "It was hard to fall through the cracks here—people knew you and wanted you to succeed," he reflects. Whether making rap videos in drama class or diving into physics, Kurtis found the support he needed to grow.

Twists, Turns, and Lessons Learned
As graduation approached, Kurtis received several university offers. "I was the public-school kid turned private school student who managed to turn things around," he laughs. He enrolled in Computer Science at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), excited for some independence without straying too far from home.

However, university life wasn't as smooth as he expected. Without structure and with what he now sees as a bad bout of self-doubt, Kurtis began skipping classes and missing deadlines, eventually dropping out and returning home. But his love of learning never waned. Determined, Kurtis landed a job as an IT technician, working across British Columbia and Alberta. After three years, he took on a leadership role as Head of IT at a financing company. He later transitioned to tech sales, where he discovered a passion for strategy and management.

It was during his time at a tech start-up, with the encouragement of an old Meadowridge classmate, that Kurtis truly hit his stride. Over seven years, he worked his way up the ladder, embracing new challenges and constantly learning. 

“I’m using the cafe as place to bring the Bitcoin community together to share ideas and cultivate change, which is important to me because I believe Bitcoin will create more freedom and prosperity in the world by overturning structural inequities.”

From Tech to Coffee—and Beyond
Then, an unexpected opportunity came his way. A friend invited Kurtis to become a partner in a new venture—a hybrid brewery and coffee roaster. Though hesitant at first, Kurtis accepted, keeping his day job while signing on as a silent partner. A few years later, he committed fully to the business, helping to market their coffee and build the brand from the ground up.

"We made amazing coffee, but no one knew about it," Kurtis remembers. Ever the problem solver, he dove headfirst into marketing, tackling everything from branding and packaging to wholesale and retail expansion. He secured the company's first wholesale client and soon opened their flagship café, FUNK Coffee Bar, in downtown Vancouver's Coal Harbour.

The café, known for its thriving community calendar, TikTok-famous photobooth, and unique blend of House of Funk coffee and craft beer, has quickly become a neighbourhood favourite. "We modelled ourselves after 19th-century coffee houses, places where people gathered, collaborated, and made connections," Kurtis explains.

Kurtis remains involved in all aspects of the business, from strategy to hands-on work. Whether launching a new happy hour program, managing the café's tech needs, or even stepping in to serve customers, Kurtis thrives on the dynamic nature of his role. "It's perfect for me—I've got a short attention span," he laughs.

A Life of Balance and Curiosity
Outside of work, Kurtis is an active member of the Bitcoin community—an interest that has him currently developing an investment app—and finds balance in life through meditation, climbing, and travel, including an upcoming African safari with his mother. He also enjoys quiet moments at home with his girlfriend and their dog.

Determined, well-rounded, wise, and willing to learn, Kurtis may not have the conventional story of every student, but he is undoubtedly a quintessential Meadowridge graduate.