Natalija Paldrmic: Bravely Traveling the World Inspires an Open and Inquisitive Mind

Transcript

Meet Natalia And Circle The Wagon

SPEAKER_01 0:09

I am your host Kristen Pop and today I have the privilege to chat with Natalia Padermit. Sorry, I said that wrong. I am your host, Kristen Pop, and today I have the opportunity to chat with Natalia Paldermit, Chief Growth Officer with Circle the Wagon. Welcome to Grocery from Reset, Natalia, and thank you so much for sharing your time with us today.

SPEAKER_00 0:35

Thank you, Kristen. I'm uh excited and delighted to be part of this and have this chat.

SPEAKER_01 0:40

So, Natalia, as we start, let's first talk about Circle the Wagon. Can you give an overview of the business?

SPEAKER_00 0:47

Yeah, it's uh it's a mouthful. We do a lot. Um, but I think the easiest way to help folks understand the work that we do. Think of Circle the Wagons as a boutique consulting agency, very focused on uh the retail sector, grocery predominantly, but we do do work with C stores and specialty, some other channels, but again, it's uh around the uh the the grocery and uh retail industry in general. And

What A Boutique Retail Consultancy Does

SPEAKER_00 1:20

unlike kind of the big sort of consulting firms, ours is much more curated, more hands-on, and again, very industry specific. Um, but it's a lot of fun. We get to work on lots of different projects and uh groundbreaking brands and things, you know, that today people uh think are radical that are going to be household things, you know, in a handful of years.

SPEAKER_01 1:44

I I love all the different brands that you represent and how you position that as the boutique. I I haven't heard you say that before, so that that's perfect. So let's chat about your role within Circle the Wagon, chief growth officer. What does that all entail? And if there even is such a thing, what does your day-to-day look like?

SPEAKER_00 2:02

Great question. Um, I mean, overall, it's creating the the big picture growth plan uh in tandem with our amazing board, our CEO Barton, as you know. Uh he is something special. Um so it's a lot of focus on new revenue streams, new partnerships, um, potentially developing new markets. So, again, anything centered around growth. Uh, most of it is aligning what the industry really needs.

The Chief Growth Officer’s Mandate

SPEAKER_00 2:32

So we listen very closely to uh retailers in one-on-one conversations, also from events like the National Grocers Association Executive Conference, Bartna's part of uh RAFTA, a bunch of associations, and we we we sort of lean into okay, what is the industry saying they need help with, and how can we be a part of that? So I I I think I have an amazing role. I get to go out and kind of hunt for these opportunities and create these connections uh on a day-to-day basis. I mean, it's everything you can think of in a small uh group or under 10 people based in uh Homa, Louisiana. I'm outside of uh Chicago. Um but the team really um, you know, I uh we're we're mighty uh and small, and so there's uh a lot of hands-on work, you know, everything you can think of from the you know, the grunt work of creating all the pieces and marketing and figuring it out and research to formulating the strategies. So uh very, very diverse. No day is uh like the other.

SPEAKER_01 3:38

I was gonna say your day-to-day is probably different, and sometimes you don't know what that's gonna look like uh until you dive into it. Um I want to take some time and talk about your path into grocery. Um, because I, you know, as we have these conversations, I find that everybody has a different path to how they landed in the grocery industry. So, what roles have you held and uh how did

Serendipitous Entry Into Grocery

SPEAKER_01 4:00

you land at where you are today, if you can kind of give us your journey uh throughout the industry?

SPEAKER_00 4:06

Sure. Um I wish I could say that when I started this path, it was a very strategic decision. Um it really was a total fluke. I was going to school down in Fort Lauderdale. There was this business that was hiring uh from marketing coordinators and doing something, again, very radical, the early days of loyalty marketing software and standing up loyalty marketing programs uh in specifically in grocery with chains, frankly, some of them that don't even exist today, like Big Bear. And and uh by the way, that business uh back then it was called Advanced Promotion Technologies. I was a marketing coordinator, administrative assistant, uh print shop helper, whatever it took. And uh how I I uh got to know the grocery industry, that business is uh some of the players, some of the folks that are part of that business, as well as some of the software and the programs still exist today under AppCard. So AppCard's acquirer, uh multiple acquire acquisitions of uh pieces of that business. So that was my first step into uh the grocery industry. And I was a little bit like a, I don't know, leaf in the wind. Uh uh it wasn't sort of targeted and said, okay, this is what I'm gonna do, and I'm gonna go out and you know, bring uh groundbreaking brands and solutions into grocery, but somehow I, you know, the universe uh steered me in that path. And so I stayed in the business. I wound up working for uh a couple of again radical ideas or consumer services back in the day, uh, like Coinstar uh joined pre-IPO, and uh we um ended up creating a huge portfolio, very akin to what we're doing here at Circle of Wagons, of consumer services, Think kiosk, everything from Coinstar to Redbox to Eco ATM, uh the first top-up prepaid, unattended retail units, um, just just a plethora of

Coinstar To Redbox: Front-End Services

SPEAKER_00 6:15

of services for the front uh of a grocery store. And in fact, the business ended up rebranding as the outer wall and the fourth wall. We really wanted to own everything in that space, including things like gumball machines and kitty rides. I mean, I I joke about it back then as the high-tech and low tech part of our portfolio. Um and getting exposure to these different services, they were, you know, a variety of categories from fintech to, I mean, you know, DVD rental to uh coffee serving up food coffee solutions really excited me because I got to learn about a lot of different industries and a lot of different categories. Um it's part of kind of my nature. I'm one of those people that um I just you know grew up sort of doing a lot of exploring and traveling, and uh my uh late dad was a big influence. So I I do things like treating myself to new countries and new cultures and new things, just again, that's what fires me up every day. So uh one thing led to another. I you know, again, uh having this exposure to what's sort of the not your your commonplace everyday kind of uh products or services is really what's kept been the common thread uh through this uh through my career.

SPEAKER_01 7:34

Yeah, and I you know, a lot of us are that are in the industry or even just in general, you know, grocery isn't one that normally rises to the top of career choice. Um I like how you uh you describe how you uh happened into the industry and um how you've you've created your path and stayed in the industry throughout your journey. What's inspired you to stay?

SPEAKER_00 7:59

Yeah, it's it's really um it's driven by the fact that early, my early path in my early days in the grocery industry, it was not really uh connected or recognized as being sort of this very innovative industry. And uh definitely things have changed over the decades. And what I discovered, in fact, there's a uh funny uh joke, you might even remember this event. This is decades ago, and I can't remember if it was FMI or market technics, but it was one of the industry shows. Dana Carvey was uh in uh the room as entertainment during, I think, one of the kiosks. And uh he's on stage, and you know, somebody obviously told him you're you know, you're talking to grocery industry executives, and he was kind of stumped on what's going to say. So he'd sort of pace it on the stage and kind of going, yeah, grocery operators, grocery operators. What do you guys do for excitement? You move the lettuce from here to here. And uh, you know, uh back then, I I think the again the industry had this um, you know, per there was a perception that it wasn't a lot of embracing

Grocery’s Innovation Reputation Reframed

SPEAKER_00 9:10

of new things and innovation. And I actually found it the opposite. But I think the really the burden on um startups and and people that understood changing consumer trends that, you know, whether we call them, you know, or call us vendors or suppliers, um, it really was sort of uh on our shoulders to help build that education and that comfort for retailers to try new things. And then I found when you're able to do that and connect the dots and and really share what the consumer um wants next, because we are the ones that are um supposed to be you know experts in the category and keeping an eye on that. And if you educate um grocery operators specifically on it, they embrace it like no under business they've seen. I mean, I just uh the amount of deals that can you know get structured and the amount of excitement and amount of uh wanting to pilot new things is really morphed, and that's what's kept me in it. I I think uh again, grocery operators, very shrewd, sharp business people, um and the but very motivated to really create special things and and reasons for people to visit their stores and their communities and their checkouts. Um, and that openness, that that's been fun for me as somebody that you know looks to bring in the new or the latest and greatest.

SPEAKER_01 10:42

Well, and you you know, you hit it too. It's definitely been an evolution. Um, and and I think it's advancing faster now than it you know obviously ever has. And sometimes it's hard to keep up with as well uh every time coming at us. But um, yeah, the the story about uh the speaker was quite funny when you say, What do you what do you guys do for fun? Um I think that conversation probably happens more than we when than we know. So throughout your journey, Natalia, you you you know, talked about the different path that you you took to get into the industry and how you've kind of stayed along that. What are some of the things that you've learned along the way?

SPEAKER_00 11:21

Uh I think the biggest things are really how to be an invaluable um helper, consultant, problem solver uh to businesses, both you know, on the sort of on the brand and and consumer services or or uh vendor supplier side, um, but also to the retailer. Because really, at the end of the day, the reason things change, the reason we change as humans, is we're trying to solve a problem. We're motivated, more motivated by, frankly, I think the stick of the carrot sometimes, you know, to embrace change and

Lessons In Problem-Solving And Change

SPEAKER_00 12:00

to make it happen. Sometimes things need to, you know, get sort of painful for us to uh you know really affect things. Um and for me, uh again, the biggest learning has been um creating comfort around, you know, the tregged expression around being uncomfortable. Um and and again, looking for ways to solve problems. Uh you know, my CEO Barton loves to talk about it as, you know, from his law enforcement days, as looking for a case to solve and solving a case. And uh I think that's a good way to put it.

SPEAKER_01 12:39

I like how he phrases that, and I've heard him say that uh in previous discussions. And um, you know, and to your point too, you couple that with uh stepping outside of your comfort zone to sometimes find those solutions is how we continue to grow. Um, and both of those are very powerful, very powerful comments. So again, throughout your throughout all of our careers, throughout all of our our paths forward, we all have mentors of some shape or form, or those who have inspired us along our journeys, who are some that have helped you navigate the industry in your path?

SPEAKER_00 13:15

Wow, there's uh there's a lot of people uh that would fall into that box. I've been really fortunate to work for um leaders, um frankly, uh predominantly male uh leaders that have been really supportive and again bringing me into the conversations, creating um opportunities for uh for me to learn and to build and develop new muscles. They've been um you know models uh for me as well. Um my background, my childhood, you know, I I was uh a blue-collar, you know, steelworker's kid from the south side of Chicago. And uh, you know, uh first gen growing up in the United States, we grew up partially overseas as well in former Yugoslavia. And and I think, you know, then aspiring to um

Mentors, Roots, And Relationship Capital

SPEAKER_00 14:10

be in this um, you know, fast moving, it is a fast moving uh industry, and this sort of white-collar world kind of creating straddling, you know, those two worlds. And when I say like literally the old world ways and traditions with you know embracing new things, uh I I think frankly, all of my leaders throughout my career have really encouraged that. And um, you know, and again, if I have to pin myself to probably some of the most recent influencers, uh I I have to, you know, pay homage to you and uh Anita from NGA has been amazing. I just to see um how you guys navigate what I do every day, which is how do you serve you know the members and the industry? And you know, let's face it, you know, there's there these these are um high maintenance um relationships. Uh and I think that's you know paramount to me in the business that we do is creating those uh relationships and seeing how you guys navigate that and balance that. Um that that's been a huge uh influence and help on me, and um, I've enjoyed it.

SPEAKER_01 15:24

And relationships, I mean, the industry and everything that we talk about, but the foundation of everything is the relationships that we build, whether it's with our partners, our customers, our teammates, whatever, but relationships is really what what it is all built on. And so navigating those and and you know, using those effectively to support each other is is very powerful within the this industry specifically.

SPEAKER_00 15:50

Yeah, I 100% agree. I don't uh I there there are uh other industries that I've seen, you know, from um family members that work in in different sectors, um and relationships definitely are key in building business in any industry, but I think especially in this industry, especially in grocery, it's you know, we joke all the time, like it's a small, you know, circle, really. And you know, people may sort of move around in different places, but it's a very tight group, uh, you know, a tight circle, if I may say. Um yeah.

SPEAKER_01 16:28

No, it is, and I've actually heard, you know, you we hear the the industry events and you know things like the NGA show that it's the big family reunion for the independence because it almost feels like that. And and when you're doing the work and you're in it, but building the relationships and really just embracing that. I think it does start to feel like a family and it is very intertwined. And you know, to your point, you see a lot of the same faces, and they may not be with the same organizations, but they're still in the industry as a whole, which is really cool. I think it speaks volumes to um how

Today’s Leadership Challenges In Retail

SPEAKER_01 17:00

just great of an industry it is to stay in. And once you get in it, you find the passion within it and you stay in it.

SPEAKER_00 17:07

It's true. It is a special club, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 17:10

So let's talk challenges as we shift a little bit here. We've all we all face them, but what are some of the common challenges that you see leaders facing today?

SPEAKER_00 17:20

I mean, it's the proverbial sort of balancing all the commitments, all the obligations, um both professionally and personally. I think, you know, at time we're all struggling with it. The shopper is struggling with it, right? And um serving a lot of roles. I, you know, I I like to think about it like in the frame of a shopper. I mean, these days the shopper, you know, she's taking care of children and pets and parents and a job. And um, we're all juggling a lot of things. So I think that's the the biggest piece of it is not just sort of the prioritizing work, but um being really deliberate about where you invest the time and sort of weighting the priorities and you know, today's sort of priority and fire drill isn't the same as tomorrow, being able to really pivot and adapt quickly. Like you said earlier, this is a there there's a lot of fast moving stuff. We're all pummeled with opportunities. I mean, we have opportunities coming out of our ears at Circle the Wagons, uh, you know, people that want to work with us, exciting, but also, you know, we can't uh sort of take this squirrel shiny ball, you know, perspective. Any of us um really have to be pointed, and uh there's only so much time in a day, you know, for uh for any of us. I think with the grocery sector, you know, specifically, there's just so much going on because you're serving the consumer. And let me tell you, I've never been in the the shoes or in the seat of you know grocery um operators. I've sat you know next to across from boardroom tables, uh conference tables, etc., from them. I've never been in the shoes, but just even from the outside looking in, having a lot of conversations with grocery operators. The consumer is so demanding. I I don't think I'm tough enough to last a week in the industry working, you know, specifically running um grocery, because uh again, the consumer is so tough. We're so impatient. I'm a consumer, I wouldn't want to deal with me on a daily basis. You know, we're demanding, and so I think it's a struggle that is beyond the industry. It's just you know, kind of the norm in our our worlds and our lifestyles, things are just moving really, really fast. That's the biggest uh piece. And then how do you, you know, like take a breath, step back, zoom out, you know, figure out where do I apply my time and energy, you know, today. Um and uh you know, and and make sure, you know, you you're you're really solid on your your strategy, your big picture, because otherwise it, you know, I think for all of us it could turn into you know strategy of the week. And um that's not effective for anybody. And it is kind of that, you know, people joke about being like a squirrel. I think there's a lot of that

Profit Optimization Becomes Priority

SPEAKER_00 20:25

happening, and and it's uh tendencies, you know, for all of us to uh be attracted to kind of you know this new opportunity or that new opportunity that we've really got to mind ourselves um and and stay focused. It's tough.

SPEAKER_01 20:43

It is tough, and it's a challenging, it's just a challenging landscape with everything that's going on and what what the consumer has faced over the last you know five, six years, and then uh you look across different generations and different shopping habits and behaviors and platforms that they want to use, and um you know, it just understanding across everything where that shopper is at, and then trying to navigate how do you uh capture all of that by maintaining a focus and staying on your strategic plan. So it definitely is an interesting time to operate, but keeps us driving forward. There's never a dull moment, right, Natalia?

SPEAKER_00 21:23

Oh, true, so true.

SPEAKER_01 21:25

So you you are very involved in the industry through just the organizations that you're involved in, but also your role within Circle the Way Wagon lends you to be very involved in the industry. Of everything you do, what is the one of the programs or initiatives that you see or hope will have a big impact on the industry uh not only today, but into the future?

SPEAKER_00 21:46

Yeah, I think uh it it probably falls in the the buckets of what we just heard at the NGA executive conference, sort of the top five priorities for retailers. And while one of them is uh you know, when not what I would call uh particularly sexy or sort of new, it is something that requires a new approach to solve. And that's this sort of bucket of profit optimization, profit enhancement, um, profit improvement through things like finding cost savings. So that's um becoming a big pillar of our portfolio. We have several um brand partners, service partners, consultants, uh advisors that work in that scope and really helping um retailers hone in on how we can create efficiencies and cost savings and better productivity, you know, per square foot. There's there's just so many things that can go on the selling floor. And uh I think what excites me is being able to go to retailers and talk about it and that

Why Associations Matter For Retailers

SPEAKER_00 23:00

impact, um, not just hey, put this new brand in on this shelf or put this new service in, but you know, speak to um again, what came out as one of the top five you know topics, um, as as unsexy as it is, like managing costs. Um, there's a lot that goes into that uh piece, but I think that's been really exciting and and received really well where retailers are like, yeah, I do need to relook at some of these things.

SPEAKER_01 23:34

Well, and I think a lot of that went by the wayside as we were navigating through a pandemic and and trying to just uh operate and stay afloat, and then you come out of that and then you see you're faced with a lot of uh different challenges, whether it's um supply issues or increasing energy costs or whatever that whatever that looks like for you, they're still um and for the consumer, not just for the operator, but also for the consumer, they're faced with a lot of different challenges as well. So, how do you navigate that to still drive value but also offer the product and and at a good cost that still allows you to be an operator, right?

SPEAKER_00 24:14

So yeah, no small fee, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 24:18

So you mentioned the NGA executive conference, you've mentioned RAFTA, you've mentioned a couple different groups. What role do you feel that those organizations, uh, you know, WGA that what role do you feel that those organizations play in the industry um in helping the success of the industry forward?

SPEAKER_00 24:37

Uh I think because they listen to their membership, again, both the operator and the the businesses, the vendors, suppliers that want to serve that industry and serve that consumer, that they have this umbrella viewpoint that uh you know they're they understand and relate to what retailers are going through and what suppliers and vendors and consultants and so forth are going through. So that purview, I think, uh puts puts NGA, RAFTA, any

72 Countries: Curiosity As An Edge

SPEAKER_00 25:10

of these associations in this um uh kind of unique spot where they can see the all these point of views and connect and create those, you know, connections, create those bridges. Um I think it's vital, and then they can also see sort of the the trends and the the common struggles and how to go, okay, we're we're actually in the same boat on some of these things. Um that you know uh whatever type of business you are, um you're trying to solve for today's consumer. So I I think uh my perspective is that that visibility is really um unique. You know, they see it from all sides.

SPEAKER_01 25:52

Very true, very true. Very powerful to bring that voice together and then work to find a solution uh as a whole versus everybody, and and how are we working together to solve some of those problems and find that path forward that's going to be most effective and continue to drive us uh to success in the future.

SPEAKER_00 26:12

Well, you said it more eloquently, so I want to revise my answer to what you just said.

SPEAKER_01 26:18

So, Natalia, as we were prepping for this conversation, and you kind of alluded to it a little bit earlier in the conversation, but one thing that was interesting to me while we were prepping were preparing for this uh was something that's not on your resume that you were proud of. Can you share that?

SPEAKER_00 26:36

Um, yeah, sure. I am uh an avid, avid traveler. I'm not sure that avid is a strong enough uh adjective for it, but um my my late father was um you know a huge traveler. We were definitely on a blue-collar family budget, but we camped all over creation um in the United States and then overseas, a lot of camping, fishing, uh, some spots that no one's ever heard of. But we got to see a lot of uh the world even by the time I left for school. And it stayed with me. Um so I treat myself uh to kind of a unique birthday gift. I give myself a new country that I explore solo for my birthday, um, at least one every year. And I'm up to 72, and by the way, I'm not 72 years old. Um, but I treat myself to one um uh every birthday. It started off kind of um as a way to prove my bravery and because someone told me that I couldn't um when I was very young, and so I kind of did it out of spite. But uh since then it really has turned into uh one of my great hobbies and pleasures. And uh the reason I love it is again, I love sort of learning new things and exploring um new areas, the new sight, sounds, smells, people, um,

Advice For Rising Grocery Professionals

SPEAKER_00 28:00

you know, new cultures. And uh I think that's why I love the work that I do. I get to do kind of um that, and it's sort of it's all part of my DNA to uh to learn about new businesses and new experiences and how people do things differently in different places is one of my joys. So yeah, I'm up to country 72. I'm pretty darn proud of that. I'm not sure I'm gonna hit all 196 before, you know, but uh I'm gonna I'm gonna make sure I get as darn close as I can.

SPEAKER_01 28:32

Okay, wow. First of all, that is incredible. I would have to agree. I don't know that Avant truly captures the full uh passion that you have around that. Um, but just amazing and what you've learned from that experience and um in all the areas, right? I mean, confidence and growth and just learning and seeing uh other cultures and how they operate. And I'm sure you've learned so much along that full journey. Is there anything that specific? I mean, I'm sure there's a lot, but is there anything specific that the experience of that has taught you that you've carried forward? Like, is there like one nugget that you pulled out that has stuck with you that you use on the day-to-day?

SPEAKER_00 29:21

Yeah, I think it's what it's taught me, particularly doing um my trip solo, is to really be observant. So when you're by yourself, like you're absorbing around you, you're having conversations with strangers, you're and kind of letting things sort of naturally organically develop without this sort of agenda. And that's what I love. Like that's why I like to do it solo. Like, if I'm feeling like having, you know, cake for breakfast, I would have cake for breakfast, and just kind of you know, uh kind of flying by the seat of my pants is how I do my travel. I I have a bit of an agenda of.

If This Were A Book: Title Ideas

SPEAKER_00 30:00

Things that I target that I want to do. But the rest is sort of being open and like you know, we joked uh I think uh earlier, you know, taking those exits off the expressway because, like, oh wow, that looks kind of cool. Let's you know, pull over and and check that out. Um, so I think the way that that's translated for me and my role and what's maybe given me an edge, and I think also is an edge for um CTW for Circle of Wagons is that it's not this fixed agenda. Like, here is a product and a service that we're you know uh marketing and representing. It is a like let's just explore and um let's really listen and observe and kind of go, oh, okay, that's interesting. That wasn't a you know dot I was gonna connect. Um, that that's that edge to you know, just sort of being open to whatever happens. And the my favorite memories are literally the ones where like nothing was planned, completely random, and it turned into you know something, you know, really, really special. And um yeah.

SPEAKER_01 31:05

We may need to start a whole separate series on your travel and what you've learned and all the memories and see the world through Natalia's eyes. I think that would be incredible. Um, because I'm sure that there's you're one of the few that you know takes the time, I think is one thing, and invest back in yourself to have those experiences. Um, so I'd love to have further conversations on what you've learned and what you've

Closing Thanks And Listener Ask

SPEAKER_01 31:30

seen and what you recommend.

SPEAKER_00 31:32

Um that's very kind of you, yes. And I would love, and by the way, ever need a tour guide, different places, you know, or uh uh travel advice or um anything like that, I'm I'm happy to do it. It is one of my joys. Um if I wasn't doing what I'm doing today, I don't know. I might have been a travel planner or coordinator or something like that, except for the fact that um, yeah, I don't like dealing with consumers directly, demanding consumers like me. So I don't know.

SPEAKER_01 32:00

Maybe not. Maybe I am in the right place. You can figure out, I'm sure you can figure out a path to it though. Uh Natalia, do you have any advice? Um, you've shared lots of great nuggets, but do you have any advice that we haven't touched on that you would give somebody that's either aspiring to join the industry or continue advancing their career in grocery?

SPEAKER_00 32:19

Yeah, that's um that's an interesting question. I think uh the sort of on a high level, the best advice I could say is don't sort of fit into a box or try to fit into a box. Um and by that I mean, you know, uh look at the the issues or the problems or the opportunities from you know a fresh perspective. I it's really exciting to see how many young professionals, for example, there were at the um WGA um symposium and how they think about you know the same things, the same problems. So uh, you know, I I think conformity, you know, I've always been called by my friends and family as kind of an enigma, um, you know, because there is this sort of like like part of me that wants to be sort of traditional, a lot of my old world, you know, upbringing and ways, and um, but then really embracing like things that are kind of seem radical, like, wow, no one's ever done that. Let's, you know, let's check it out. So I really that would be my my encouragement to people coming into this industry is don't uh rush too um fast into sort of conforming with uh you know how things are done and ask a lot of questions about how they could be done. Um and not to say like dismiss everything you know that's worked and just you know stand everything on its head, but uh you know, uh it over time I think all of us sort of wind up um doing a little bit of things out of habit, or this is how you know we've done it. It's really um hard to just kind of keep yourself in shock and not you know rinse repeat too often. Um yeah, I guess don't, you know, try not to fit into a box.

SPEAKER_01 34:14

Yeah, I love that advice. One of mine is don't ever just tell me because that's the way we've always done it, without uh the a reasonable response as to but why do we do it that way? And don't be afraid to question that. And then does it really make sense? Should we keep doing it that way? Are there other ways that we can look at this? Is there something new, innovative, fresh um that gets us to the same place and a better path? So I love I love that advice. So as we look to wrap up, I'm gonna throw a little curveball at you. If you were writing a book or creating a podcast about the industry today, what would the title be?

SPEAKER_00 34:55

Yeah, um uh Tuffy, there's just there's so much that goes on in our industry that's worthy of discussion and debate and um so much going on, you know, just in in society. And um, I think as I look at the grocery um industry specifically, it's you know, we there's a lot of conversation around stomach share and you know, at one point sort of restaurants and things were considered competitors, and now there's like shifting even of that. I but largely think about the purpose of grocery stores. Um, you know, it's about bringing products and meals and things home. So um it would be one of two. What we bring home and maybe what we take home, meaning not just the products, the experiences, the lessons, you know, that we take home. Um, you know, playing a little bit of a uh you know cliche uh uh perspective, but I think it is about that um to me. And I think that's important for conversation. It's what drives what what do we serve up to the consumer in this you know brick and mortar or this digital experience um or you know delivery or or what have you. So it's pretty broad.

SPEAKER_01 36:25

Well, no, but it is, right? I mean, it is a very broad topic, and I love how you include things like experience and lessons because uh while it while it's grocery, there's a lot more included. So I look forward to reading your book. Thanks. So, Natalia, thank you so much for sharing your story and your voice with us today. I appreciate everything you're doing for the grocery industry. Keep leading, keep inspiring, and I look forward to following the impact you will continue to make.

SPEAKER_00 36:55

Well, likewise, Kristen, thank you. This is so much fun.

SPEAKER_01 36:59

Thank you so much for tuning into today's episode. I hope it sparked ideas, inspiration, and a reminder of the impact you make every day. Be sure to just subscribe so you never miss a conversation and consider leaving a review to help others discover grocery from her seat. With gratitude making a difference one story at a time.