Natalie Shmulik is the go-to resource for everything food business related. Along with an M.L.A. in Gastronomy from Boston University, she has a wide range of experience working with supermarkets, culinary publications, consumer packaged goods companies, and food service establishments. After successfully operating her own restaurant, Natalie was hired as a specialty consultant for one of Ontario’s largest supermarket chains, where she enhanced consumer experiences through educational initiatives. Discovering her passion for innovation, Natalie was brought on as a brand strategist for the first cold brew tea company and later moved to Chicago, Illinois, to run a food business incubator. With over 8 years of food incubation experience, Natalie has gained a unique perspective on the industry and what it takes to launch and grow a successful business. She is best known for her unparalleled perspectives on branding, marketing, and trend forecasting. Natalie is currently the CEO of The Hatchery, a state-of-the-art nonprofit food and beverage incubator and innovation hub.

The Hatchery supports startup food and beverage entrepreneurs in their brand-new, 67,000-square foot facility through private and shared kitchen production space, event and coworking space, a full curriculum of robust offerings, and an on-site micro-lender Accion; and also assists local residents in job training and placement in the food and beverage industry through a variety of programs. Natalie has been featured in publications such as Forbes, Food Dive, WGN Radio, WTTW, Chicago Woman, and Food Business News.