Click the play button above to listen to the episode.
This Episode is Sponsored by: City National Bank
How are macro-economic factors and changing consumer preferences impacting the natural grocery sector? City National Bank’s Justin D’Affronte steps in as guest host as he speaks with Mother’s Market CEO Dorothy Carlow about inflation, tariffs, consumer preferences, and more.
Click Below to Subscribe
More about Dorothy Carlow:
Dorothy Carlow is the Chief Executive Officer of Mother’s Market and Kitchen, a leading Southern California-based grocery retail chain known for its commitment to elevating the health and wellness of the communities it serves. With more than 20 years of experience in corporate leadership, strategic growth, and operational innovation, Dorothy has played a pivotal role in transforming Mother’s Market into a dynamic, neighborhood-focused health destination. Under her leadership, the company has embraced cutting-edge technologies, forged strategic partnerships, and optimized its store formats to drive significant growth and enhance shareholder value.
Prior to her appointment as CEO, Dorothy served as Chief Merchandising Officer at OTG and Fairway Market, both New York City based, where she was instrumental in driving revenue, profit, and margin growth. Notably, she played a key role in turning around Fairway Market, reinforcing her reputation as a results-oriented leader with a proven track record of delivering measurable business outcomes.
Dorothy is also deeply committed to empowering women in the retail sector, leading mentorship programs that support the advancement of women into leadership roles across operations, merchandising, and marketing.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from George Washington University. Outside of work, Dorothy is an avid endurance athlete, having completed 12 marathons, numerous half-marathons, and triathlons. She enjoys spending time with her two daughters and staying active, whether running or pursuing other outdoor activities.
More about Mother’s Market:
Mother’s Market was founded in 1978 by a passionate group of yogis who believed: health begins with what you eat. They believed that organic eating was not just better for your body, but also better for the planet. Their vision was to create a store that prioritized organic, plant-powered foods along with fresh juicing and delicious organic prepared meals.
The first Mother’s Market, a 2,500-square-foot space in Costa Mesa, became a hub for like-minded individuals seeking better food choices and a healthier lifestyle. People traveled from all over Southern California to experience this health oasis where happiness, organic, delicious foods and sustainability were front and center.
Fast forward to today, and Mother’s has grown into 11 locations across Southern California, but the heart of the brand remains the same: empowering people to live healthier lives through better food.
Learn more at: https://www.mothersmarket.com/
More about Justin D’Affronte:
Justin D’Affronte is a managing director with City National Bank’s Food & Beverage Group. Based in Irvine, CA he supports food and beverage industry executives with creative financing solutions and industry intelligence. Working with City National’s team of experts, he provides the bank’s full range of financial solutions to food and beverage businesses nationwide.
Mr. D’Affronte has more than 20 years of financial services experience. Prior to joining City National, he served as a senior vice president with GE Capital’s Food & Beverage Group for eight years.
Mr. D’Affronte earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California’s Leventhal School of Accounting and his Master of Business Administration from the university’s Marshall School of Business. In addition, he is a certified public accountant in the state of California. Active in the community, he volunteers with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.
More about City National Bank:
City National Bank, a subsidiary of Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), is the largest bank headquartered in Los Angeles. Founded in 1954, City National is a regional bank specializing in Consumer Banking, Wealth Management and Private Banking, Commercial Banking, Entertainment and Sports Banking with branches in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, New York City, Nashville, Atlanta, Delaware, Las Vegas, Washington D.C. and Miami.* For more information about City National, visit the company’s website at cnb.com.
*City National Bank does business in Miami and the state of Florida as CN Bank.
