February 23, 2025 • 21 mins
Miriam Framson is the Vice President of Operations at Citrus America, Inc., a US distributor of highest-quality European equipment for the food service and grocery industries.
Born to an Austrian mother and an American father, Miriam's personal and professional international experience spans continents. She earned both her master's in Export and Internationalization Management and her bachelor's in Economics from the University of Economics and Business in Vienna, Austria. Miriam is fluent in English and German. Before joining the family business in Florida in 2022, she worked for a global consulting firm, helping large organizations implement and manage new digital processes.
Miriam is passionate about delivering best-in-class equipment, industry-leading support, and innovate solutions that drive Healthy Profits for Citrus America's clients.
Did you love the show - Text and tell us why.
Sign up for women leadership opportunities in the independent grocery industry
Join WGA
Join NGA
Attend this year's NGA show
F: https://www.facebook.com/NationalGrocersAssn
L: https://www.linkedin.com/company/national-grocers-association/
Host: Kristin Popp
Producer: Rachael Melot
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to Grocery From Her Seat.
The WGA podcast, offering aunique perspective as seen
through the eyes of remarkablewomen who shape and lead in the
independent grocery industry.
Your host, kristen Popp,president of WGA, will bring you
exclusive stories and insightsfrom the women serving our
industry.
This podcast is your source ofinformation.
(00:21):
Now listen, take notes andwelcome Kristen Popp.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
I am your host, Kristen Popp, and today I have
the opportunity to chat withMiriam Framson, Vice President
of Operations for Citrus America.
Welcome to Grocery for Receipt,Miriam, and thank you so much
for sharing your time with ustoday, Hi.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Kristen so excited to be here today.
Thank you so, Miriam.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
I know I mentioned your title, but I'm going to go
ahead and let you share with usa little more in detail what
that all entails within yourorganization.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Absolutely so.
Again, my name is Miriam Framson.
I am the Vice President ofOperations at Citrus America,
and what we do at Citrus Americais we work with customers in
both the food service and thegrocery industry and we provide
commercial food and beverageequipment, as well as solutions
along with that equipment todrive our customers' success in
(01:13):
stores.
We've been focused a lot oncommercial juicing equipment and
fresh juice programs, but 2025is an exciting year for us as
we're expanding a lot in ourproduct offering to other
technologies such as dry aging,wear washing, vacuum sealing,
and my role in all of this is,on the one hand, I lead the day
(01:34):
to day business operations, aswell as our customer service
team with our other departments,such as sales and marketing and
accounting, to just help thecompany on a day-to-day and
bringing in new products,helping our customers, and we're
a small family business inOrlando, florida, so one of the
great things about my job is Iam definitely not limited in my
(01:57):
responsibilities and I reallyget to be involved and have an
impact in a lot of differentaspects of the business Sounds
like some exciting thingshappening for 2025.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
So, miriam, you shared something that is not on
your resume, that you're proudof, while we were prepping for
this conversation.
It is honestly quite inspiringand fascinating to me.
Would you mind sharing thatwith us?
I?
Speaker 3 (02:17):
grew up really a lot between Austria and the US and
in different states, and sosomething that you can see on my
resume is obviously, then, justbusiness and the educational
experience that I have in bothcountries, but what I'm really
proud of and what's not on myresume is just everything that
comes along with that.
(02:37):
So I think, over the years, andsomething that I probably
underestimated andunderappreciated was just that
exposure to different culturesand different languages and what
comes along with that is kindof that openness and
adaptability that you have tolearn, you know, when you move
between different countries, andthat's something that you know.
(02:57):
That duality in my upbringingis what I like to call.
It is something that I'm superproud of.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
What a great experience to carry with you and
the diversity between the twodifferent countries and
experience that you've gainedfrom there.
So what inspired you tocontinue your career in the food
service and food retailindustry, specifically today,
with the family business?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
So I love to tell this little story of how it all
began with Citrus America,because I've been in the company
now for three years, but I dida summer internship many years
ago when my father started thecompany.
I did market research andcustomer research back then in
the summertime primarily.
I was very inexperienced at thetime and I said my father and
(03:46):
boss at the time was like I'mnever working for you again.
This was not a fun experienceand this is not happening again.
So yeah, luckily I went off andI did my own thing and I worked
in consulting and projectmanagement, primarily focused on
the health and public sector,so definitely not grocery
related.
(04:06):
And during the pandemic andthen really post pandemic, I
just felt like I needed a changeand at the time it so happened
that my father was looking for aposition to be filled in the
company.
And yeah, then you know itstarted off as this interim
position and now, three yearslater, I am more involved and
(04:29):
passionate as ever and that'sreally how I got into being more
involved with the industryitself.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
I love that story.
I love the experience prior andthe comment of that you would
never work for your father again.
And here we are right yeah,never say never Small evolution
there, and so excited to seewhat that looks like going
forward for you as you continueto build experience and
knowledge within the businessand where you can take it.
Looking at your career, miriam,so far, what are some of the
(04:58):
highlights or achievements thatyou have been able to accomplish
, and how have they eitherinfluenced or impacted you?
Speaker 3 (05:06):
So I'd say definitely a pivotal time for me was
working at Accenture.
When I was working, you know,in consulting and project
management.
That was the time where Ireally learned what I'm capable
of.
It's kind of a bit more of acutthroat industry.
There's a lot going on.
You're managing multipleprojects.
I also started leading my ownteams at the time.
(05:29):
You have to build your ownpersonal network in this big
company and at the same time, ona personal level, it really
also forced me to learn when toask for help, how to set
(05:49):
boundaries and figuring out whatI want for my personal
work-life balance to look like.
So overall, I'd say those yearsin consulting were absolutely
crucial in getting me to where Iam now, and what I'm absolutely
proud of and what we'veachieved is at the company now
is we really operate on thespaces of trust and integrity,
(06:12):
and so when I continue to buildour team, I'm heavily involved
in the HR and hiring in thecompany.
I got to firsthand be involvedin bringing in new people and
that kind of have the samevalues and the same passion.
So that to me, is also just awonderful achievement and
(06:34):
something that I feel thepositive impact of every day
because I just get to work in ateam where we have fun and we
all work towards that same goal.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
You mentioned a few points that I think are
important to call out.
You know the building thenetwork, and well, your previous
career that was you had tobuild that out and really forced
into doing that.
But I think building a networkthat you can lean into is so
critical to individual successin any industry.
(07:04):
But the grocery industry isvery relationally driven and so
building those networks out andhaving the experience on doing
that will only help you continueto grow forward within this
industry.
And then setting boundaries andI think we don't talk a lot
about that, but it's importantto set boundaries and then stay
(07:26):
within your boundaries that youset for yourself.
I think there's a lot ofsuccess that can come from doing
that, if you're willing to setthem and then stick to them
Absolutely Right andcommunicating the boundaries
right.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
Because in the end, when you sit down and you talk
to your team or you talk to yourcolleagues, you notice oh well,
we all have boundaries.
So if we all work towardscommunicating and respecting
those, the work environment, Ibelieve, becomes a lot more
productive.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Yeah, absolutely Good call out on communicating those
.
It's one thing to haveboundaries, but if you're not
willing to share what those are,that can get its own challenge
correct.
So, being newer to the industryand your role within your
organization, I imagine it'sbeen a little overwhelming as
you navigate through that.
Who are some who have helpedyou be successful in
understanding the industry?
Speaker 3 (08:13):
So I guess one of the positives about working in a
family business is I end up justworking together with my boss
and father all the time.
So even if we're not on the job, we're talking about things
that are happening in theindustry.
Sometimes on car ridessomewhere, we'll talk about
trends or we'll strategize anddo market research together.
(08:34):
So that's definitely been veryimpactful in what I've learned.
In addition, our manufacturerover in Europe, in Austria
they've been working withEuropean customers in the
grocery industry for probablyabout 30 years now.
So also just listening to whattheir experiences are, even if
it's a different country, isvery insightful.
(08:55):
Country is very insightful.
And then shout out to the WGAright now is it's just attending
and being involved with theorganization, networking with
other ladies in the industry orlistening to your podcast.
I feel like with everyconversation I just take away
one or two more learnings andthings that I didn't know before
(09:15):
, and then maybe more on apersonal side.
I'm super big on cooking andbaking.
I love doing both, so Iactually love grocery shopping
myself.
It's a big part of the wholecooking and baking process.
So shopping in both the US andAustria, I think because they're
different experiences, I'm veryaware somehow of different
(09:39):
things, different trends thatare happening and I do believe
that that also versus the US.
I would love to dive into thatsometime with you and understand
that a little bit more.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
I think there's a lot to be learned from just that
conversation.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Yes, it took me some time, I must say.
Once I moved here it took me alittle bit of time to learn how
to navigate the grocery storehere.
It is a very differentexperience.
You wouldn't think so withsomething that kind of speaks to
just the core necessities rightin the day to day, but it's a
different experience for sure.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Miriam, what are the challenges you have faced,
specifically as a female in theindustry that you see others
facing as well?
Speaker 3 (10:32):
So the word that comes to mind.
There is complexity, the wordthat comes to mind.
There is complexity.
I personally feel that there area lot more demands out there
that go beyond merit andexperience.
For example, how can I beassertive without being abrasive
, or how can I lead my teamwithout being too bossy, and how
(10:54):
can I show my emotions andbeing vulnerable or ask for help
without being labeled weak?
So I know a lot of that isprobably also a bit of a
personal struggle that I feellike I share with other women in
the industry as well, but it'sdefinitely something that I feel
is a challenge, and what I'velearned, though, what helps is
(11:14):
to talk about it and to know,okay, I'm not the only one and
you know, we all are probablygoing through the same questions
and insecurities.
And in leading and I thinkthat's on the one hand, and
maybe more specifically to women, and then overall, just the
expectations I believe thatemployees have of their, of
their leaders and of theirmanagers has shifted, and it
(11:36):
used to be more, you know,probably an authoritarian role
in a hierarchy, and now I feellike it's just more complex
because people want maybe moreof a personal relationship and a
flatter hierarchy, sonavigating that can also be
difficult, like how do you getthe job done but still, you know
, have good relationships withall of your employees?
Speaker 2 (11:57):
I think those are good callouts, the learning to
navigate that, I think sometimeswith experience, but also, like
you said, talking about it,leaning into your network and
other opportunities where youcan have those conversations
very beneficial.
So, Miriam, in your opinion,what role do organizations like
WGA, NGA and similar have in theindustry?
(12:19):
How will that impact our future?
Speaker 3 (12:21):
The WGA.
To me personally this is a verypersonal takeaway that I've had
now and it ties into what wejust said before is I get this
sense of a community and anetwork where you can exchange,
right.
So you end up within anorganization like this you bring
(12:41):
together, you know, whetherit's suppliers or retailers or
any other industries that areinvolved.
In some way they all cometogether and there's a shared
passion or shared interest.
That I think, especially intimes where there's so much
information out there, there'salso so much uncertainty, right.
(13:03):
So it's nice to be able to, asyou said before, to lean into
that network that you have andto work towards a certain goal.
And it's impactful knowing, youknow, maybe I am just a small
company and maybe they are justa small retailer, but when you
work together and when you'repart of more of a formal
(13:23):
organization, you can kind ofleverage the experiences and the
resources that differentplayers have that are involved
to make that positive impact.
So I see you know, lookingtowards the future, that it is
important to continue to kind ofround up everyone that is part
(13:47):
of this process and to worktowards that goal and to be
successful together, right, andto continue to make sure that we
all have a spot in the marketin the grocery industry and that
we don't get pushed out, maybeby a big player somewhere.
I think that's absolutely animportant role that the WGA and
the NGA both carry.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
I like how you talk about leveraging the experience
of others.
Right, and it's not aboutcompetition and it's not about
but it's about how can we usethe experience of others and
lean into the network that wehave to be more successful.
Leveraging what you can learnfrom others to continue to grow
and be successful will only helpthe industry and strengthen it
(14:29):
as one.
And, if I may, add.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
it's just, it's fun, right?
It's nice being part of acommunity that shares similar
interests, so I think to me alsowhen I look at you know, being
involved with the WGA.
It's an incredibly positive andmotivating experience that I've
been having, and I can onlyimagine that it's the same for
many others that are involved.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
I know you talked about you know, individuals that
have helped you navigatethrough the industry, but is
there any anyone else that hasinspired you or who has left a
lasting impact on you, and inwhat way have they?
Have they?
Speaker 3 (15:04):
I want to give my mother and my grandmother a big
shout out there.
So they're the women that havebeen closest to me all my life
and I just see how they haveover the years, with seeming
ease, done everything right fromrunning a household to raising
kids, and both have also alwaysworked.
So to me that's super inspiring.
(15:27):
My mother just two years agoactually she had worked in as a
university lecturer in differentuniversities in both Austria
and the US for a long timedecided that she would like to
venture off and become anentrepreneur.
So now she's running her ownbusiness and that to me just to
(15:48):
see that on a day to day and tobe able to talk to her is so
inspiring.
And then I had one supervisorleader at Accenture and she is a
complete Excel guru.
So from her I learned all of myskills that I have now.
So thank you to her forteaching me that.
But one thing that I alsolearned from her and that I
(16:12):
observed was she knew her stuff.
She was an expert in in thefield of project management and,
even though you know, she'd sitin these calls with senior
managers and directors that werewell above her pay grade, and
she wasn't scared to speak andto speak up if something was
incorrect or if she thought ofit differently and she could
(16:37):
kind of explain it with herexperience or her knowledge.
So to me that was so inspiringat the time.
To say, ok, just because you'rea certain position doesn't mean
that you can't be activelyinvolved and have an impact in
the company.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Great, role model, the inspiring to hear your
mother's story of completelypivoting and trying something
new and great to hear thosestories For others that are
aspiring to join the industry orcontinue their career path
forward.
What are some advice that youwould share with them?
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Get involved, Don't be afraid.
And if you don't know something, I would think either the
person across from me that I'mgoing to ask doesn't know it
either, and then you maybe sitdown and figure out a solution
together, or they know it andthey're willing to share it with
you.
So I really can't think of anycircumstances where I asked for
(17:27):
help and I was shot down or not.
Then you know, given that helpright or given that support.
So just again, that network,leaning into that and stepping
out of your comfort zone, Ibelieve, is something that will
get you very far as you enterinto a new industry.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
I have found in this industry that there are so many
that are willing to share,willing to ask the question.
There's a wealth of informationand knowledge that you can gain
from asking the question.
Get comfortable with beinguncomfortable and that's how you
continue to grow.
I love it Absolutely.
What excites you the most aboutthe future of the industry?
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Even as smaller players in the industry.
If you work on things step bystep, even if it feels like
maybe you're not moving theneedle yet, you probably are.
And I think, especially in thegrocery industry where you know
you have the suppliers and theretailers, they can really also
shift and change consumerbehaviors, wants and needs.
(18:30):
So I think there's real impactthere that we all can have.
That I find super motivating.
And maybe it's just somethingsmall, right, maybe you're
bringing in a new product intoyour store or you're bringing in
new equipment or technology,which is obviously that's what
we focus in on.
But there's so many differentaspects where I think it might
(18:52):
be something small but it cantruly change also the way the
customers walking into yourstore perceive their shopping
experience and that shapes theirbehavior and that again shapes
the industry.
So I really feel there's such adomino effect in the industry
and that's so cool to somehow beable to just be part of that.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Miriam, as we like to wrap up this wonderful
conversation, I'm going to throwa little curveball at you.
If you were writing a book orcreating a podcast about the
industry today, what would thetitle be?
Speaker 3 (19:27):
I think it would be success more than one way.
We are in a people industry.
We have so many differentpersonalities, experiences and
so many different paths that thepeople around us have taken or
are going to take.
There is no one size fits allsolution, but there's lots of
solutions, lots of solutions.
(19:53):
Communicating and working witheach other, even if we're on
slightly different path, issomething that I truly believe
in, is something that I like tolive on a day-to-day with my
team as well.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
I love it.
I can't wait to read that bookand I couldn't agree more.
There's so many paths tosuccess and everybody's story is
so interesting in how theyachieve their success, so
sharing those stories isinspiring.
Miriam, thank you so very muchfor sharing your time and your
thoughts with us today.
I appreciate you, your storyand your contribution to the
(20:21):
industry.
Thank you for your valuableinsights and I look forward to
continue watching you make adifference in all you do.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
Thanks, kristen.
This has been a lot of fun.
Thanks for having me, and toour guests.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
thank you so much for tuning in to today's episode.
We hope you enjoyed thediscussion as much as we did.
If you found value, be sure tosubscribe to the podcast and to
never miss an episode and leavea review on your favorite
listening platform to helpothers discover Grocery From Her
Seat.
Until next time, keep making adifference in all you do, Thank
you.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
On behalf of the Women Grocers of America, we
thank you for listening to ourpodcast today and ask that you
subscribe, leave a five starreview and share with a friend.
Episodes are released everyother week and they are
sponsored by NGA, hosted byKristen Popp, president of WGA,
and published by Rachel Milowith SWA Marketing.
Welcome to Grocery From Her Seat.
The WGA podcast, offering aunique perspective as seen
through the eyes of remarkablewomen who shape and lead in the
independent grocery industry.
Your host, kristen Popp,president of WGA, will bring you
exclusive stories and insightsfrom the women serving our
industry.
This podcast is your source ofinformation.
(00:21):
Now listen, take notes andwelcome Kristen Popp.
Speaker 2 (00:25):
I am your host, Kristen Popp, and today I have
the opportunity to chat withMiriam Framson, Vice President
of Operations for Citrus America.
Welcome to Grocery for Receipt,Miriam, and thank you so much
for sharing your time with ustoday, Hi.
Speaker 3 (00:37):
Kristen so excited to be here today.
Thank you so, Miriam.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
I know I mentioned your title, but I'm going to go
ahead and let you share with usa little more in detail what
that all entails within yourorganization.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
Absolutely so.
Again, my name is Miriam Framson.
I am the Vice President ofOperations at Citrus America,
and what we do at Citrus Americais we work with customers in
both the food service and thegrocery industry and we provide
commercial food and beverageequipment, as well as solutions
along with that equipment todrive our customers' success in
(01:13):
stores.
We've been focused a lot oncommercial juicing equipment and
fresh juice programs, but 2025is an exciting year for us as
we're expanding a lot in ourproduct offering to other
technologies such as dry aging,wear washing, vacuum sealing,
and my role in all of this is,on the one hand, I lead the day
(01:34):
to day business operations, aswell as our customer service
team with our other departments,such as sales and marketing and
accounting, to just help thecompany on a day-to-day and
bringing in new products,helping our customers, and we're
a small family business inOrlando, florida, so one of the
great things about my job is Iam definitely not limited in my
(01:57):
responsibilities and I reallyget to be involved and have an
impact in a lot of differentaspects of the business Sounds
like some exciting thingshappening for 2025.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
So, miriam, you shared something that is not on
your resume, that you're proudof, while we were prepping for
this conversation.
It is honestly quite inspiringand fascinating to me.
Would you mind sharing thatwith us?
I?
Speaker 3 (02:17):
grew up really a lot between Austria and the US and
in different states, and sosomething that you can see on my
resume is obviously, then, justbusiness and the educational
experience that I have in bothcountries, but what I'm really
proud of and what's not on myresume is just everything that
comes along with that.
(02:37):
So I think, over the years, andsomething that I probably
underestimated andunderappreciated was just that
exposure to different culturesand different languages and what
comes along with that is kindof that openness and
adaptability that you have tolearn, you know, when you move
between different countries, andthat's something that you know.
(02:57):
That duality in my upbringingis what I like to call.
It is something that I'm superproud of.
Speaker 2 (03:03):
What a great experience to carry with you and
the diversity between the twodifferent countries and
experience that you've gainedfrom there.
So what inspired you tocontinue your career in the food
service and food retailindustry, specifically today,
with the family business?
Speaker 3 (03:20):
So I love to tell this little story of how it all
began with Citrus America,because I've been in the company
now for three years, but I dida summer internship many years
ago when my father started thecompany.
I did market research andcustomer research back then in
the summertime primarily.
I was very inexperienced at thetime and I said my father and
(03:46):
boss at the time was like I'mnever working for you again.
This was not a fun experienceand this is not happening again.
So yeah, luckily I went off andI did my own thing and I worked
in consulting and projectmanagement, primarily focused on
the health and public sector,so definitely not grocery
related.
(04:06):
And during the pandemic andthen really post pandemic, I
just felt like I needed a changeand at the time it so happened
that my father was looking for aposition to be filled in the
company.
And yeah, then you know itstarted off as this interim
position and now, three yearslater, I am more involved and
(04:29):
passionate as ever and that'sreally how I got into being more
involved with the industryitself.
Speaker 2 (04:36):
I love that story.
I love the experience prior andthe comment of that you would
never work for your father again.
And here we are right yeah,never say never Small evolution
there, and so excited to seewhat that looks like going
forward for you as you continueto build experience and
knowledge within the businessand where you can take it.
Looking at your career, miriam,so far, what are some of the
(04:58):
highlights or achievements thatyou have been able to accomplish
, and how have they eitherinfluenced or impacted you?
Speaker 3 (05:06):
So I'd say definitely a pivotal time for me was
working at Accenture.
When I was working, you know,in consulting and project
management.
That was the time where Ireally learned what I'm capable
of.
It's kind of a bit more of acutthroat industry.
There's a lot going on.
You're managing multipleprojects.
I also started leading my ownteams at the time.
(05:29):
You have to build your ownpersonal network in this big
company and at the same time, ona personal level, it really
also forced me to learn when toask for help, how to set
(05:49):
boundaries and figuring out whatI want for my personal
work-life balance to look like.
So overall, I'd say those yearsin consulting were absolutely
crucial in getting me to where Iam now, and what I'm absolutely
proud of and what we'veachieved is at the company now
is we really operate on thespaces of trust and integrity,
(06:12):
and so when I continue to buildour team, I'm heavily involved
in the HR and hiring in thecompany.
I got to firsthand be involvedin bringing in new people and
that kind of have the samevalues and the same passion.
So that to me, is also just awonderful achievement and
(06:34):
something that I feel thepositive impact of every day
because I just get to work in ateam where we have fun and we
all work towards that same goal.
Speaker 2 (06:42):
You mentioned a few points that I think are
important to call out.
You know the building thenetwork, and well, your previous
career that was you had tobuild that out and really forced
into doing that.
But I think building a networkthat you can lean into is so
critical to individual successin any industry.
(07:04):
But the grocery industry isvery relationally driven and so
building those networks out andhaving the experience on doing
that will only help you continueto grow forward within this
industry.
And then setting boundaries andI think we don't talk a lot
about that, but it's importantto set boundaries and then stay
(07:26):
within your boundaries that youset for yourself.
I think there's a lot ofsuccess that can come from doing
that, if you're willing to setthem and then stick to them
Absolutely Right andcommunicating the boundaries
right.
Speaker 3 (07:39):
Because in the end, when you sit down and you talk
to your team or you talk to yourcolleagues, you notice oh well,
we all have boundaries.
So if we all work towardscommunicating and respecting
those, the work environment, Ibelieve, becomes a lot more
productive.
Speaker 2 (07:53):
Yeah, absolutely Good call out on communicating those
.
It's one thing to haveboundaries, but if you're not
willing to share what those are,that can get its own challenge
correct.
So, being newer to the industryand your role within your
organization, I imagine it'sbeen a little overwhelming as
you navigate through that.
Who are some who have helpedyou be successful in
understanding the industry?
Speaker 3 (08:13):
So I guess one of the positives about working in a
family business is I end up justworking together with my boss
and father all the time.
So even if we're not on the job, we're talking about things
that are happening in theindustry.
Sometimes on car ridessomewhere, we'll talk about
trends or we'll strategize anddo market research together.
(08:34):
So that's definitely been veryimpactful in what I've learned.
In addition, our manufacturerover in Europe, in Austria
they've been working withEuropean customers in the
grocery industry for probablyabout 30 years now.
So also just listening to whattheir experiences are, even if
it's a different country, isvery insightful.
(08:55):
Country is very insightful.
And then shout out to the WGAright now is it's just attending
and being involved with theorganization, networking with
other ladies in the industry orlistening to your podcast.
I feel like with everyconversation I just take away
one or two more learnings andthings that I didn't know before
(09:15):
, and then maybe more on apersonal side.
I'm super big on cooking andbaking.
I love doing both, so Iactually love grocery shopping
myself.
It's a big part of the wholecooking and baking process.
So shopping in both the US andAustria, I think because they're
different experiences, I'm veryaware somehow of different
(09:39):
things, different trends thatare happening and I do believe
that that also versus the US.
I would love to dive into thatsometime with you and understand
that a little bit more.
Speaker 2 (10:06):
I think there's a lot to be learned from just that
conversation.
Speaker 3 (10:09):
Yes, it took me some time, I must say.
Once I moved here it took me alittle bit of time to learn how
to navigate the grocery storehere.
It is a very differentexperience.
You wouldn't think so withsomething that kind of speaks to
just the core necessities rightin the day to day, but it's a
different experience for sure.
Speaker 2 (10:26):
Miriam, what are the challenges you have faced,
specifically as a female in theindustry that you see others
facing as well?
Speaker 3 (10:32):
So the word that comes to mind.
There is complexity, the wordthat comes to mind.
There is complexity.
I personally feel that there area lot more demands out there
that go beyond merit andexperience.
For example, how can I beassertive without being abrasive
, or how can I lead my teamwithout being too bossy, and how
(10:54):
can I show my emotions andbeing vulnerable or ask for help
without being labeled weak?
So I know a lot of that isprobably also a bit of a
personal struggle that I feellike I share with other women in
the industry as well, but it'sdefinitely something that I feel
is a challenge, and what I'velearned, though, what helps is
(11:14):
to talk about it and to know,okay, I'm not the only one and
you know, we all are probablygoing through the same questions
and insecurities.
And in leading and I thinkthat's on the one hand, and
maybe more specifically to women, and then overall, just the
expectations I believe thatemployees have of their, of
their leaders and of theirmanagers has shifted, and it
(11:36):
used to be more, you know,probably an authoritarian role
in a hierarchy, and now I feellike it's just more complex
because people want maybe moreof a personal relationship and a
flatter hierarchy, sonavigating that can also be
difficult, like how do you getthe job done but still, you know
, have good relationships withall of your employees?
Speaker 2 (11:57):
I think those are good callouts, the learning to
navigate that, I think sometimeswith experience, but also, like
you said, talking about it,leaning into your network and
other opportunities where youcan have those conversations
very beneficial.
So, Miriam, in your opinion,what role do organizations like
WGA, NGA and similar have in theindustry?
(12:19):
How will that impact our future?
Speaker 3 (12:21):
The WGA.
To me personally this is a verypersonal takeaway that I've had
now and it ties into what wejust said before is I get this
sense of a community and anetwork where you can exchange,
right.
So you end up within anorganization like this you bring
(12:41):
together, you know, whetherit's suppliers or retailers or
any other industries that areinvolved.
In some way they all cometogether and there's a shared
passion or shared interest.
That I think, especially intimes where there's so much
information out there, there'salso so much uncertainty, right.
(13:03):
So it's nice to be able to, asyou said before, to lean into
that network that you have andto work towards a certain goal.
And it's impactful knowing, youknow, maybe I am just a small
company and maybe they are justa small retailer, but when you
work together and when you'repart of more of a formal
(13:23):
organization, you can kind ofleverage the experiences and the
resources that differentplayers have that are involved
to make that positive impact.
So I see you know, lookingtowards the future, that it is
important to continue to kind ofround up everyone that is part
(13:47):
of this process and to worktowards that goal and to be
successful together, right, andto continue to make sure that we
all have a spot in the marketin the grocery industry and that
we don't get pushed out, maybeby a big player somewhere.
I think that's absolutely animportant role that the WGA and
the NGA both carry.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
I like how you talk about leveraging the experience
of others.
Right, and it's not aboutcompetition and it's not about
but it's about how can we usethe experience of others and
lean into the network that wehave to be more successful.
Leveraging what you can learnfrom others to continue to grow
and be successful will only helpthe industry and strengthen it
(14:29):
as one.
And, if I may, add.
Speaker 3 (14:31):
it's just, it's fun, right?
It's nice being part of acommunity that shares similar
interests, so I think to me alsowhen I look at you know, being
involved with the WGA.
It's an incredibly positive andmotivating experience that I've
been having, and I can onlyimagine that it's the same for
many others that are involved.
Speaker 2 (14:52):
I know you talked about you know, individuals that
have helped you navigatethrough the industry, but is
there any anyone else that hasinspired you or who has left a
lasting impact on you, and inwhat way have they?
Have they?
Speaker 3 (15:04):
I want to give my mother and my grandmother a big
shout out there.
So they're the women that havebeen closest to me all my life
and I just see how they haveover the years, with seeming
ease, done everything right fromrunning a household to raising
kids, and both have also alwaysworked.
So to me that's super inspiring.
(15:27):
My mother just two years agoactually she had worked in as a
university lecturer in differentuniversities in both Austria
and the US for a long timedecided that she would like to
venture off and become anentrepreneur.
So now she's running her ownbusiness and that to me just to
(15:48):
see that on a day to day and tobe able to talk to her is so
inspiring.
And then I had one supervisorleader at Accenture and she is a
complete Excel guru.
So from her I learned all of myskills that I have now.
So thank you to her forteaching me that.
But one thing that I alsolearned from her and that I
(16:12):
observed was she knew her stuff.
She was an expert in in thefield of project management and,
even though you know, she'd sitin these calls with senior
managers and directors that werewell above her pay grade, and
she wasn't scared to speak andto speak up if something was
incorrect or if she thought ofit differently and she could
(16:37):
kind of explain it with herexperience or her knowledge.
So to me that was so inspiringat the time.
To say, ok, just because you'rea certain position doesn't mean
that you can't be activelyinvolved and have an impact in
the company.
Speaker 2 (16:50):
Great, role model, the inspiring to hear your
mother's story of completelypivoting and trying something
new and great to hear thosestories For others that are
aspiring to join the industry orcontinue their career path
forward.
What are some advice that youwould share with them?
Speaker 3 (17:06):
Get involved, Don't be afraid.
And if you don't know something, I would think either the
person across from me that I'mgoing to ask doesn't know it
either, and then you maybe sitdown and figure out a solution
together, or they know it andthey're willing to share it with
you.
So I really can't think of anycircumstances where I asked for
(17:27):
help and I was shot down or not.
Then you know, given that helpright or given that support.
So just again, that network,leaning into that and stepping
out of your comfort zone, Ibelieve, is something that will
get you very far as you enterinto a new industry.
Speaker 2 (17:45):
I have found in this industry that there are so many
that are willing to share,willing to ask the question.
There's a wealth of informationand knowledge that you can gain
from asking the question.
Get comfortable with beinguncomfortable and that's how you
continue to grow.
I love it Absolutely.
What excites you the most aboutthe future of the industry?
Speaker 3 (18:04):
Even as smaller players in the industry.
If you work on things step bystep, even if it feels like
maybe you're not moving theneedle yet, you probably are.
And I think, especially in thegrocery industry where you know
you have the suppliers and theretailers, they can really also
shift and change consumerbehaviors, wants and needs.
(18:30):
So I think there's real impactthere that we all can have.
That I find super motivating.
And maybe it's just somethingsmall, right, maybe you're
bringing in a new product intoyour store or you're bringing in
new equipment or technology,which is obviously that's what
we focus in on.
But there's so many differentaspects where I think it might
(18:52):
be something small but it cantruly change also the way the
customers walking into yourstore perceive their shopping
experience and that shapes theirbehavior and that again shapes
the industry.
So I really feel there's such adomino effect in the industry
and that's so cool to somehow beable to just be part of that.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Miriam, as we like to wrap up this wonderful
conversation, I'm going to throwa little curveball at you.
If you were writing a book orcreating a podcast about the
industry today, what would thetitle be?
Speaker 3 (19:27):
I think it would be success more than one way.
We are in a people industry.
We have so many differentpersonalities, experiences and
so many different paths that thepeople around us have taken or
are going to take.
There is no one size fits allsolution, but there's lots of
solutions, lots of solutions.
(19:53):
Communicating and working witheach other, even if we're on
slightly different path, issomething that I truly believe
in, is something that I like tolive on a day-to-day with my
team as well.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
I love it.
I can't wait to read that bookand I couldn't agree more.
There's so many paths tosuccess and everybody's story is
so interesting in how theyachieve their success, so
sharing those stories isinspiring.
Miriam, thank you so very muchfor sharing your time and your
thoughts with us today.
I appreciate you, your storyand your contribution to the
(20:21):
industry.
Thank you for your valuableinsights and I look forward to
continue watching you make adifference in all you do.
Speaker 3 (20:28):
Thanks, kristen.
This has been a lot of fun.
Thanks for having me, and toour guests.
Speaker 2 (20:31):
thank you so much for tuning in to today's episode.
We hope you enjoyed thediscussion as much as we did.
If you found value, be sure tosubscribe to the podcast and to
never miss an episode and leavea review on your favorite
listening platform to helpothers discover Grocery From Her
Seat.
Until next time, keep making adifference in all you do, Thank
you.
Speaker 1 (20:50):
On behalf of the Women Grocers of America, we
thank you for listening to ourpodcast today and ask that you
subscribe, leave a five starreview and share with a friend.
Episodes are released everyother week and they are
sponsored by NGA, hosted byKristen Popp, president of WGA,
and published by Rachel Milowith SWA Marketing.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.