Nicole Schlesinger traded her corporate NYC desk for butchery classes at the Institute of Culinary Education after realizing the jerky market was dominated by sugary, "candy-like" options. Obsessed with quality, she squeezed two oversized dehydrators into her tiny apartment to perfect small-batch, chef-driven recipes that prioritized premium meat and clean ingredients over the industry standard.
This experimentation led to the birth of Strip Jerky, a brand redefining the protein-packed snack with an artisanal, modern approach. By blending culinary integrity with bold flavor profiles, Nicole has transformed a nostalgic staple into a sophisticated experience for a new generation of snackers, proving that a high-growth brand can start with just a few test batches and a lot of hustle.
Inside the Episode:
How Nicole transitioned from a NYC desk job to studying butchery to find her true calling in the culinary world.
Why Strip Jerky rejects sugary fillers in favor of clean labels and chef-inspired flavor profiles.
Nicole's journey of moving from small-batch testing to a growing brand while maintaining artisanal quality.
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