Helping You Lead With Clarity & Purpose
I’m Katie Mleziva, and I believe that food is the cause and the cure for so many issues–for people and our planet. And when more people have access to REAL food, everyone wins. That’s why I partner with food and farm business owners who care about doing things the right way—and want their brand to reflect it.
But having a strong product and mission isn’t enough. If your message isn’t clear or your strategy isn’t aligned, it can feel like you’re working way too hard for the traction you’re getting.
I want to help!
Meet Katie
Your Strategy Partner Who Knows the Food Industry
Experience
Since leaving the corporate world in 2012, I’ve spent years the past 10+ years helping business owners like you connect the dots between their purpose, products, and people. My approach blends corporate brand-building discipline with the agility and heart of entrepreneurial brands…and a little bit of my natural intuition for what your brand’s “special sauce” really is.
As a Food Brand Strategist and host of The Food Business Marketing Podcast (formerly the Real Food Brands Podcast), I’ve guided entrepreneurs to create a brand strategy that grows their business in a way that aligns with their values + market needs.
Through brand management, consulting, and coaching, I help you define your brand strategy, align & activate it across your business, and become the kind of leader who can grow with confidence and alignment.
I created my programs to help food business founders like you clarify your vision, streamline your strategy, and lead with purpose.
When your brand strategy is clear, you can stop spinning your wheels and start taking intentional steps toward growth.
Professional Background and Education
- 13 years coaching, consulting, and mentoring emerging brand founders
- 12 years before of building Fortune 500 brands
- 9 years of volunteer mentoring in the Food Finance Fellows program
- 7 years hosting The Food Business Marketing Podcast
- 1 year on the national Naturally Network Board & Naturally Wisconsin boards
- Marketing & Management degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Founder of Sunbeam Kids, Inc. a family-friendly volunteer organization
What it's Like to Work Together
My clients tell me they feel more grounded, energized, and equipped to prioritize the right things at the right time after our work together.
That’s because I don’t just give you strategy deliverables—I give you a system and support to help you lead like the business owner you are.
Whether you work with me for a one-time Brand Review Workshop or dive into the full Brand Success System, you’ll get:
- A thoughtful, strategic partner
- A collaborative process with clear guardrails so you can apply what you learned in the future.
- Coaching to help you find your own words, not just mine
- Tools that give structure to your ideas without boxing you in
And you’ll walk away with more than a document—you’ll walk away with direction! I love seeing how this unfolds every time.
are you looking for strategy & focus?
You’ve worked hard to get to this point, and now it’s time to step fully into your role as a brand builder!
Let’s create a roadmap that helps you build the business you envision.