{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Episode 078 \u2013 Katrina Markoff, Founder, Violet Flames Chocolate","description":" On this episode of the Executives\u2019 Exchange, Katrina Markoff, Founder of Violet Flame Chocolate, joins Julie Smolansky, CEO of Lifeway Foods and Exec Club Board Member, to discuss her nearly three decades of innovation in the world of gourmet chocolate and what it means to lead with creativity and purpose.\u202f  &amp;nbsp;   00:00 \u2013 Intro   02:30 \u2013 Katrina's Childhood and Background   06:19 \u2013 Why Chocolate?   11:32 \u2013 Navigating Challenges   13:12 \u2013 Violet Flame   17:45 \u2013 Creating a Balanced Company Culture   23:30 \u2013 What Makes Chicago Special   30:35 \u2013 Balancing Taking Risks   37:45 \u2013 Using Mothership as a Business Tool   43:25 \u2013 Making Things Purposeful   46:20 \u2013 Leaving a Legacy   50:15 \u2013 The Future of AI in Different Spaces   56:25 \u2013 Outro   &amp;nbsp;  Episode Link: Violet Flames Chocolate  &amp;nbsp;  Guest Host: Julie Smolyansky, President &amp;amp; Chief Executive Officer, Lifeway Foods Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content &amp;amp; Communications Officer, The Executives\u2019 Club of Chicago\u202f&amp;nbsp;  \u202f&amp;nbsp;  Subscribe on&amp;nbsp;Apple,&amp;nbsp;Spotify,&amp;nbsp;or wherever you listen to podcasts.&amp;nbsp;  &amp;nbsp;  Thank you to our podcast sponsor,\u202fShure Incorporated.\u202f&amp;nbsp;  For nearly 100 years, Shure Incorporated has developed best-in-class audio products that provide high-quality performance, reliability and value. Headquartered in Niles, Illinois, our history of innovation and expertise in acoustics, wireless technology, and more enables us to deliver seamless, transparent audio experiences to a global audience. Our diverse product line includes world-class wired and wireless microphones, networked audio systems and signal processors, conferencing and discussion systems, software, a loudspeaker, and award-winning earphones and headphones.\u202f&amp;nbsp;  Find Shure on:&amp;nbsp;Facebook&amp;nbsp;|&amp;nbsp;LinkedIn&amp;nbsp;|&amp;nbsp;Instagram ","author_name":"The Executives' Exchange","author_url":"http:\/\/theexecutivesexchange.libsyn.com\/website","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/37273550\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/37273550"}