Grocery From Her Seat, Insights for Independent Grocers

Produced by Rachael Melot | Hosted by Kristin Popp
  • 3.7 (15)
  • ECONOMÍA Y EMPRESA
  • DOS VECES A LA SEMANA

Grocery From Her SeatWelcome to "Grocery From Her Seat," the WGA podcast offering a unique perspective on the independent grocery industry, as seen through the eyes of remarkable women who shape and lead.Your host, Kristin Popp, President of WGA, will bring to light the inspiring stories, triumphs, and challenges of the women serving the industry of independent grocery.Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a young person considering the profession,  a woman making your mark in the grocery industry, an industry vendor or simply intrigued by the stories of powerful women, "Grocery From Her Seat" is where inspiration meets action.

  1. Sheila Ebanks: Driving Trucks to Driving Teams, A Coca-Cola Executive's Journey

    11 OCT

    Sheila Ebanks: Driving Trucks to Driving Teams, A Coca-Cola Executive's Journey

    How Sheila Ebanks Leads at Coca-Cola While Raising Four Kids Sheila Ebanks, Head of Large Store at The Coca-Cola Company, shares her inspiring journey from delivery truck driver to managing key retail partnerships with Albertsons, Publix, and H-E-B. As a mother of four (ages 5 to 28), Sheila redefines work-life balance through intentional integration—prioritizing family events and embracing flexibility. She opens up about mentorship, building a “challenger network,” and using AI to free teams from mundane tasks. From relaunching Diet Coke with Lime to navigating career growth, Sheila offers four guiding principles: ask powerful questions, learn from failure, own your worth, and leverage your network. Tune in for candid insights on leadership, motherhood, and making meaningful impact. Share this episode with anyone balancing ambition and family. Did you love the show - Text and tell us why. National Grocers Association FoundationWelcome to "Grocery From Her Seat," the WGA podcast offering a unique perspective on the independent National Grocers Association FoundationWelcome to "Grocery From Her Seat," the WGA podcast offering a unique perspective on the independentDisclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.Support the show 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 To have your podcast produced: contact Rachael Melot

    27 min
  2. From Log Cabin to Leadership: Shannon Clark's Journey

    27 SEP

    From Log Cabin to Leadership: Shannon Clark's Journey

    Shannon Clark takes us on a remarkable journey from building a log cabin by hand in rural Kentucky to revolutionizing marketing strategies at Houchens Food Group. This conversation reveals how her unconventional path—beginning in apparel manufacturing before transitioning to retail operations and eventually grocery e-commerce—equipped her with unique perspectives that drive her success today. Shannon offers refreshingly honest insights about work-life balance, challenging the notion that we can "have it all." Instead, she advocates extending grace to yourself, recognizing that balance looks different every day, and being fully present for non-negotiable moments with family. This philosophy has sustained her 20-year marriage and allowed her to thrive professionally while raising two children. Her forward-looking perspective emphasizes the strategic implementation of AI, evolving data management practices, and seamless integration of technology into physical stores, all while maintaining the human connection that ultimately wins customers' loyalty. Ready to transform how you approach challenges in grocery and beyond? Shannon's mantra of "Edit As You Go" reminds us that success requires constant learning, adaptation, and the courage to pivot when necessary. Subscribe now to hear more stories and insights from the remarkable women shaping the independent grocery industry. Houchens Food Group, Inc (2) Shannon Clark | LinkedIn Did you love the show - Text and tell us why. National Grocers Association FoundationWelcome to "Grocery From Her Seat," the WGA podcast offering a unique perspective on the independent Support the show 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 To have your podcast produced: contact Rachael Melot

    29 min
  3. Justyne Uribe: A Leadership Journey that Began as Seasonal Help

    15 JUN

    Justyne Uribe: A Leadership Journey that Began as Seasonal Help

    Did you love the show - Text and tell us why. Support the show 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 To have your podcast produced: contact Rachael Melot

    22 min
  4. Caroline Catoe: Family Business Insights and Predictions

    31 MAY

    Caroline Catoe: Family Business Insights and Predictions

    What happens when you grow up immersed in grocery technology from age 14? For Caroline Catoe, President of ECRS, it created a unique perspective on both the challenges and opportunities facing independent grocers in today's rapidly evolving technological landscape. From her early days taking support calls as a teenager to her current leadership role, Caroline  shares the wisdom gained from working alongside her father in their family business. The daily mentorship she receives as her father continues in the CEO role provides her with an exceptional leadership development experience that few executives enjoy. This father-daughter partnership mirrors the multi-generational approach that makes independent grocery so special—a world where fourth-generation family business ownership isn't unusual but celebrated. Caroline  candidly discusses the leadership challenges facing the industry today, particularly the critical need to develop the next generation of leaders as experienced veterans retire. She also addresses the realities of being a woman in a predominantly male industry and how organizations like Women Grocers of America have created valuable networks that foster both professional development and personal confidence. "Having that focused group to talk about how we can be better leaders has been super helpful to me personally," she notes. Looking toward the future, Caroline identifies three essential technology priorities for independent retailers. Most encouragingly, she emphasizes the unique agility of independent grocers as their secret weapon in adapting to technological change. "We're not gigantic national brands... but what the benefit of that is, we can turn on a dime." Join us for this insightful conversation that bridges technology, leadership, and the enduring power of family business in grocery. Subscribe to never miss an episode, and help others discover Grocery From Her Seat by leaving a review on your favorite listening platform. Did you love the show - Text and tell us why. Support the show 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 To have your podcast produced: contact Rachael Melot

    25 min
  5. Sierra Brewer: Traditional Grocery Has a Shelf Life

    18 MAY

    Sierra Brewer: Traditional Grocery Has a Shelf Life

    Sierra Brewer stands at the exciting intersection of tradition and innovation in grocery. As a Cornell University student preparing to become the first US category manager for The Modern Milkman, she brings fresh perspectives on how sustainability and convenience can reshape grocery retail. What makes this episode particularly compelling is Sierra's bold prediction that the grocery industry is approaching a critical inflection point—"a bubble about to pop." She identifies four major forces driving this change: economic pressures forcing price sensitivity, expansion of hard discounters, acceleration of digital shopping options, and shifting consumer preferences toward sustainability and transparency. Sierra also addresses the significant gender disparity in grocery leadership. Despite women comprising two-thirds of the grocery workforce, only 10% of newly appointed retail CEOs last year were women. Her experiences with female mentors like Stacey Tovar at Whole Foods and Jennifer Boone at Albertsons highlight the importance of seeing women succeed in leadership positions. Her enthusiasm for bringing young talent into grocery is matched by her conviction that independents can thrive by emphasizing local connections, sustainability, and personalized shopping experiences that mass retailers cannot replicate. Ready to hear how the next generation views the future of grocery? Sierra's insights will challenge your assumptions and inspire new thinking about where our industry is headed. #FreshProduceAssociation #GlobalProduceAndFloralShow #Suppliers #Vendors #WGASyncUp Did you love the show - Text and tell us why. Support the show 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 To have your podcast produced: contact Rachael Melot

    26 min
  6. Anne Feder: Setting Boundaries Personally and Professionally

    4 MAY

    Anne Feder: Setting Boundaries Personally and Professionally

    Anne Feder, Senior Vice President of Client Growth and Product with eGrocery, shares her journey from psychology grad to grocery tech leader and how she balances career ambitions with motherhood of three children. • Managing client services from implementation to day-to-day operations for eGrocery's white-label SaaS platform • Starting in mortgage banking during a recession before moving through automotive, pharmaceutical, CPG and eventually grocery tech • Taking a three-year career break to be a stay-at-home mom before gradually returning to the workforce • Finding passion in grocery during the pandemic by seeing how e-commerce technology helped essential workers serve communities safely • Setting firm boundaries and asking for help to balance professional responsibilities with family priorities • Addressing women's leadership challenges including data bias and the tendency to over-internalize negative feedback • Emphasizing the importance of representation through organizations like Women Grocers of America • Advocating for e-commerce as essential for independent grocers: "It's like putting on your tennis shoes to play basketball" • Seeing opportunity for independent grocers to reclaim market share through community connection and technological innovation If you find value in our podcast, be sure to subscribe to never miss an episode and leave a review on your favorite listening platform to help others discover Grocery from Her Seat. #boundaries  #successwithoutapology #womengrocers #leadership Did you love the show - Text and tell us why. Support the show 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 To have your podcast produced: contact Rachael Melot

    32 min
  7. Bonus Episode Grocery From Her Seat: NGA's Fight for Independent Grocers

    28 ABR

    Bonus Episode Grocery From Her Seat: NGA's Fight for Independent Grocers

    Greg Ferrara, President and CEO of the National Grocers Association, brings his unique perspective as both a former independent grocer and long-time industry advocate to discuss the rapidly changing political landscape affecting food retailers. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience at NGA and his background running his family's New Orleans supermarket, Ferrara offers a candid assessment of the volatile tariff situation that's "changing not by the day, but sometimes by the hour." He explains why even grocers who source little directly from China should be concerned about equipment costs, supply chain disruptions, and potential economic impacts on agricultural communities that export to affected countries. The conversation explores surprising shifts in antitrust enforcement, with both political parties now showing interest in addressing market consolidation. Ferrara connects these issues directly to food deserts, noting how the loss of independent grocers devastates communities: "If we're going to rebuild middle America, rebuild these communities, rebuild our middle class, make America healthy again, we have to have grocery stores, full-service grocery stores." Perhaps most concerning for grocers are coming changes to SNAP regulations, which Ferrara describes as "the greatest challenge we've had in 20-plus years." With states submitting waivers to restrict purchases and potential budget cuts looming, the industry faces significant uncertainty. The NGA is working to ensure any changes minimize disruption at checkout and recognize SNAP's role in supporting both economically disadvantaged communities and grocery jobs. Ready to make your voice heard? Join the NGA fly-in this May in Washington DC and help shape the policies affecting your business. NGA’s Fly-In for Fair Competition Begins in Washington, D.C. - National Grocers Association Did you love the show - Text and tell us why. Support the show 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 To have your podcast produced: contact Rachael Melot

    32 min
  8. Stephanie Becker: On the Go, from DC Fly-ins to Mission Trips

    22 ABR

    Stephanie Becker: On the Go, from DC Fly-ins to Mission Trips

    What happens when you combine legal expertise with a passion for understanding the grocery business from every angle? Stephanie Becker, Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Associated Wholesale Grocers Incorporated (AWG), reveals how her journey from real estate law to grocery leadership unfolded through curiosity and persistence. "I just started asking questions and kept walking into meetings," Stephanie shares, explaining how she evolved from handling real estate transactions to becoming AWG's General Counsel in 2018. Her candid conversation with host Kristen Popp explores how AWG leverages its $12 billion balance sheet to secure favorable lease terms for independent retailers, creating a competitive advantage in the marketplace. Beyond the boardroom, Stephanie passionately advocates for independent grocers through congressional fly-ins, where she helps lawmakers understand how policies directly affect grocery operations and ultimately impact consumers at checkout. From the Credit Card Competition Act to SNAP program changes, these advocacy efforts illuminate how Washington decisions ripple through neighborhood stores. Stephanie's perspective is further enriched by her experiences on mission trips to Nicaragua, Honduras, and India, where she witnessed communities thriving despite limited resources. For those aspiring to grow in the grocery industry, Stephanie offers refreshingly simple advice: find several mentors, ask questions, and then ask more questions. Because in an industry where "everyone needs to eat," the opportunities for impact are limitless. Subscribe to Grocery From Your Seat to continue exploring the remarkable stories of women shaping the independent grocery industry. Did you love the show - Text and tell us why. Support the show 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 To have your podcast produced: contact Rachael Melot

    24 min
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Grocery From Her SeatWelcome to "Grocery From Her Seat," the WGA podcast offering a unique perspective on the independent grocery industry, as seen through the eyes of remarkable women who shape and lead.Your host, Kristin Popp, President of WGA, will bring to light the inspiring stories, triumphs, and challenges of the women serving the industry of independent grocery.Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a young person considering the profession,  a woman making your mark in the grocery industry, an industry vendor or simply intrigued by the stories of powerful women, "Grocery From Her Seat" is where inspiration meets action.

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