"Julie has been an exceptional advisor, instrumental in formulating a foodservice sales strategy that seamlessly aligns with our mission-based, certified women-owned brand. Her ability to provide a visionary yet actionable roadmap to success has been invaluable. Her deep listening, coupled with her industry experience and grounded wisdom, creates a collaborative and trusting partnership that sets her apart as an outstanding strategic guide."
--Anna Hammond
CEO & founder of Matriark Foods
"Julie is one of the most authentic public champions I know for advancing equity and inclusion. She is unapologetic about her passion for creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. I applaud her courage to serve the world as a true agent of change."
--Trudy Bourgeois
CEO for Center for Workforce Excellence
"Julie Swift is the Tina Turner of Foodservice. Simply the best!"
--Marlin Wendland
Vice President Sales, Away From Home - The J.M. Smucker Company
"Julie is a fantastic speaker! She is relatable and funny while delivering profound messages that touch the soul and drive action. She leaves audiences feeling both moved and empowered."
--Jacquelyn Fletcher Johnson
Conference Content Designer for NextUp
"Julie is one of the most refreshing people I've encountered in the entire foodservice brokerage world. Her experience combined with her demeanor are so easy to work with and she always comes to any discussion with a smile and a calming presence. I'm happy to be a partner with Julie and I would always recommend working with her."
--Ash Idais
Director of Sales for Vital Farms
"We were in the middle of a global pandemic and the business was in flux, to say the least. Julie's leadership and outlook during this time were amazing. She not only created energy to sustain the team, she rolled up her sleeves and went to work writing and executing a business plan to revitalize the business. Julie's strong business mind and having a heart for people were key to the business' success. Julie has an incredible head and heart for business."
--Todd Mitchell
CEO/Operating Partner of PTM Ventures
"Sales is one part grit, one part skill, five parts grace, and skirting the shortest distance to a point. By this measure, Julie Swift is the prima ballerina of Foodservice."
--Michele Gazzolo
Founder/CEO of Fruitbelt Tart Sparkling Water
What I'm about
Known throughout foodservice for my creativity and determination, I bring a down-to-earth willingness to see and speak the truth to every project. More cowboy than corporate, I start with a matter-of-fact assessment of where companies are. Backed by my passion for the industry and by thirty years of sales, marketing, DEIB and executive experience, I provide leadership about where to go from here. Then, we put on our boots and get to work. And when we reach our goals … well, I've been known to bust out a cartwheel. Because wherever your company is, it's what you do next that matters.
What I Can Do For You
Raw Honesty
Along with the passion and energy I put forward with every project, you can trust me to bring the truth. Sometimes that means I'll tell you what you don't want to hear. I'll find the potholes that can hold you, your team, or your business back as we chart a course to achieve your goals.
Real Experience
I offer a unique perspective having spent over 30 years in foodservice on both sides of the manufacturer-broker relationship. My 25 years in sales and marketing for the French's Food Company and McCormick, and then just over 4 years as a broker in senior & executive leadership roles across sales, marketing, digital & business development affords me a distinctive viewpoint and impactful network.
Authenticity
Integrity is my super power. Being true to who I am means when I come to the table, I hold nothing back that can help you and your business succeed. My love for the foodservice industry runs deep - it is worthwhile of my full effort in all aspects. This is the foundation our partnership will be built on.
Path to Growth Architect
Full scope traditional & non-traditional approaches across sales, marketing, digital, customer reach & white space expansion.
Broker Effectiveness Driver
All aspects of RFI / RFP, contracting advisor, training, KPI alignment and attainment, ongoing effectiveness - driving optimal synergy to partnering.
DEIB Accelerator
(Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging)
Aligned to Manufacturers, Brokers, Distributors, Operators and
individuals - bringing calm + deliberate, informed action to
the chaos.
Who I Am (& Why)
My dad was the original feminist and raised my sisters and me to believe not only that we could do anything, but that we should offer our very best to the world. "Be Julie," he'd say to me as I walked out the door, reminding me to follow my values and make my own choices.
I treasure thirty years in foodservice, from my father's supermarket business to senior and executive leadership positions in foodservice manufacturing and brokerage. It's an industry I love, that's dedicated to providing families and friends with opportunities to gather, celebrate, and enjoy one another. Those years also, though, included functions I wasn't invited to, conversations that didn't include me, meetings I was excluded from, times when it felt as though the industry itself wanted me to remember I didn't fully belong.
Somewhere along the way, I counted the toll that years of sexism's nicks and cuts, and of hiding my disability, had taken on me. I became very determined to "be Julie" and to call foodservice back to its own hospitality and generosity. Full transparency: there came a time in my career when not budging from those values cost me my job.
My Position Now
Independent of any company or firm, I am able to work more effectively toward the flourishing, profitable future I imagine for our foodservice industry. From maximizing sales and broker effectiveness, to marketing and DEIB, I help companies identify where they are and where they'd like to go, and then map a solid process for getting there. All in an environment where each of us gets to bring our full selves to work, so that both individually and as an industry, we come together at the table authentically.
Julie Swift (she/her/hers)
Julie-Swift, LLC
417.849.3903 (text/voice)
JulieSSwift@outlook.com
Springfield, MO