{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders","title":"Julie Smolyansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods – Gut Feeling: Building demand for probiotic foods","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/6d663a28\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1722,"description":"A business's true test of survival is based on their ability to learn from challenges. By adapting to changing times, today's guest found a sweet spot in the market for their product to thrive. \nToday we're sitting down with Julie Smolyansky, who became the youngest female CEO of a publicly held firm when she took over Lifeway Foods at the age of 27 in 2002. Over the ensuing years, Julie has continued the company's growth trajectory with creative product development and marketing, bringing an Eastern European product into the US mainstream. Under her leadership, the company has grown annual revenues from 12 million in 2002 to over 119 million in 2021. During Julie's tenure, the company has expanded distribution throughout the United States, and has expanded their reach internationally. \nJulie serves as a member of the United Nations Foundation, Global Entrepreneur's Council, and was part of the 2015 Class of Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum. She's produced several documentaries, co-founded a non-profit test 400k, and she released her first book, a cookbook in 2018. \nOn this episode we have a great conversation about taking over her family's business, the health benefits of kefir, and overcoming business hurdles.\nHighlights:\nLifeway Foods' history and introducing kefir (2:57)\nJulie's transition to CEO (4:37)\nGut health and kefir health benefits (7:28)\nThe growing probiotics market (10:37)\nHow the pandemic affected business at Lifeway Foods (12:08)\nLifeway Foods' marketing strategies (16:13)\nScaling the business, and future expansion (18:00)\nManoeuvring in the current economy and supply chain concerns (20:26)\nCurrent products and new projects (22:20)\nCharity work and supporting Ukraine (24:12)\nLinks:\nICR Twitter\nICR LinkedIn\nICR Website\nJulie Smolyansky on Instagram\nJulie Smolyansky on LinkedIn\nLifeway Foods on LinkedIn\nLifeway Foods Website\nFeedback:\nIf you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/VPbFZOgoHk78hrWlplrfMSrQROUNxI8jcZ2Gv-hyKm4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mYmFh/NWFlNGJjY2Y0NGFk/YmM2NWJiMTI4NmVh/OWQ4Yi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}