Her life-long passion for the family business became public knowledge when she was named one of Crain’s Chicago Business’ 40 under 40 in 2005. Julie was also a finalist for Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2010, the subject of a Crain’s feature story as the driving force behind one of Chicago’s fastest growing companies and named one of the "Riskiest in Business" according to Fast Company.
Julie’s success is the result of good genes and solid training. She is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago (B.A., 1996), where she majored in Psychology with a minor in Women’s Studies. She presented research at the American Psychological Association’s Annual Meeting (1996), and has spoken at Nutracon’s annual Anti-Aging Nutraceutical Conference, ChicWIT women’s networking group, the Nutrition Biz Journal Conference, and the University of Illinois at Chicago Honors College, among many other speaking engagements. Additionally, Julie traveled to the White House on multiple occasions, including her 2011 visit to advocate for young entrepreneurs along with the non-profit organization Our Time.
Julie serves on the board of directors for the Anti-Defamation League, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (a division of Jewish United Fund), and the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center. She is also a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, Young Presidents Organization, The Committee of 200, The Chicago Network and TED, serves on the board for the International Probiotics Association, and is a Summit Series and Fortune Most Powerful Women community member.
Julie lives in Chicago and is the mother of two girls, and is never without crayons, baby wipes or her iPhone. She is also an avid marathoner, Pearl Jam devotee (she has been to 20 shows in multiple states), reader, cupcake connoisseur and frequent user of lavender sea salt body scrub for relaxation. Follow Julie on Twitter at @JulieSmolyansky