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Episode 057 – Marc Schulman, President, Eli’s Cheesecake Company

The Executives' Exchange

Release Date: 01/23/2024

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Episode 057 – Marc Schulman, President, Eli’s Cheesecake Company

In this episode of the Executives' Exchange, Marc Schulman, President of Eli's Cheesecake Company, engages in a discussion with guest host, Travis C. Hunter, Jr., Chicago Office Managing Partner for KPMG. Together, they delve into Marc's journey, revealing his significant influence on the culinary industry and his crucial role in the growth of Eli's Cheesecake Company, all intertwined with his family's captivating history.

0:00 – Intro
1:45 – Schulman family history
5:45 – First public debut of Eli’s Cheesecake
7:03 – Life lessons from Eli Schulman
11:15 – Eli’s Cheesecake impactful events
16:50 - Message from sponsors, Shure
17:24 – Marc Schulman’s education and early career interests
22:00 – Expansion of the business and the brand
23:32 – Inspiration from Hershey, Wrigley, and Sara Lee
25:45– Marc taking over the company
26:52 – Importance of lifelong learning
27:52 – Keeping the business alive during hard times
29:25 – Acquiring more land from the City of Chicago to expand locations
31:34 – How you grow your business
31:54 – Expanding your lines: Partnerships in food service and retail
34:10 – Continual creation and innovation
35:15 – Passing on the legacy to Marc’s daughter
39:24 – The outlook of Eli’s Cheesecake Company
43:25 – Rapid fire questions
47:37 - Outro

Episode Link: Eli’s Cheesecake Company

Guest Host: Travis Hunter Jr., Chicago Office Managing Partner, KPMG
Producer: Eva Penar, Chief Content & Communications Officer, The Executives’ Club of Chicago

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