Victor Fein came to the University of Illinois after serving in the US military. Eventually, Victor became a co-founder of a local co-op called Earthworks. The co-op started out as a small art studio selling handmade wood and leather good. It eventually grew to include a clothing shop, pet store, and grocery. Victor and his wife also opened a restaurant, Metamorphosis, out of the co-op.
On his relationship with his brother, another UIUC student active in social and political protests, Victor said:
"My brother Vern was very involved in the political movement as you are aware of. Myself, I was involved in demonstrations but felt the approach to changing the system was through changing each persons values. Because we are brothers he influenced me toward the more go after the government shortcomings approach and I influenced him to my way of changing things through lifestyle and decisions made day to day. Food choices, environmental awareness, women's rights, child raising, empathy and compassion for others to name a few. I felt the only way to improve the world was by improving one self."