A masterclass in what happens when we lead with intention and stay true to our roots, Amy Zitelman turned a passion for tahini into a book, a brand and a community.
In my journey, I have always been drawn to women who lead with a "fiercely female" heart—women who understand that building a legacy requires both a sharp vision and a nurturing spirit. Women like Amy Zitelman.
When I first met Amy, she made an immediate impression with her genuine, bright smile and an outlook that felt both positive and grounded. There is a natural accessibility to her presence; she carries herself with an approachable confidence that is as professional as it is sincere. As we spoke, it became clear that our entrepreneurial spirits were perfectly aligned, rooted in a deep, shared love of family.
As the CEO and Co-Founder of Soom Foods, Amy has done more than just build a successful brand alongside her sisters; she has cultivated a community centered around the table. Deeply proud of her Jewish heritage, she infuses her work with the traditions and values that have shaped her, turning a shared passion into a mission that has truly resonated.
From the pages of Forbes to her own celebrated cookbook, The Tahini Table, Amy's path is a masterclass in what happens when we lead with intention and stay true to our roots. She reminds us that when we nourish ourselves and our families with ingredients sourced with integrity, we are "Reigning Thoughtfully" over our own well-being. Please join me in welcoming a true Empress of the culinary world and new Real Woman of REALM Amy Zitelman.
Ann King Lagos
Founder + Designer
REALM Fine + Fashion Jewelry
Q+A WITH AMY
I'm CEO and Co-Founder of Soom Foods, the leading tahini brand in the USA! I help set the long- and short-term strategy for the company, make sure we have the right people in the right seats and maintain important relationships to help the brand grow.
When I have time to myself, I'll do yoga, go for a walk or hike. When I'm with my kids, I'm typically the bad guy fighting their band of three-brother-superheroes!
I provide strategic and development support as board member of JCC and CCAP. Philly Kaiserman JCC is a Jewish Community Center which fosters Jewish peoplehood through recreational, educational, and cultural programs. Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (CCAP), empowers underserved youth through the culinary arts; focusing on youth-development, engagement and employability throughout their transformative years. I'm also VP of the PTO at my son's school.
The joke is: my oldest sister, Shelby, had a business degree; my middle sister, Jackie, married a tahini expert; and I needed a job. Back in 2011 we realized a few things: (1) Most people had no idea what tahini was; (2) if they did, they only used it to make hummus; and (3) no one could name a tahini brand. Fast forward to 2013. I started selling tahini out of the back of my car, at farmers markets, events and festivals around Philadelphia. The rest is a lot of hard work and luck.
A classic lemon tahini sauce. Nothing is better than a creamy tahini sauce with meat, veggies, or bread. And it's so easy! To make it, mix together with a fork:
- 1 cup tahini
- ¾ cup cold water
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 3 cloves of minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon of cumin
- ½ teaspoon of salt
Turns out a customer of ours was an accomplished cookbook author! Andrew Schloss and I collaborated on the proposal, writing and recipe development. We worked with Lisa Russel and Jillian Guyette for food styling and photography. Dream Team!
Maple Tahini Granola—hands down best granola recipe. Great for snacking plain, topping on yogurt or my favorite way to eat it is with milk, like cereal!
I feel most powerful when my team feels empowered. I love that we have hardly any turnover and a great company culture.
Naivety can be a gift when you're just starting out, it allows you to be open-minded, creative and not bound by preconceived notions. Entrepreneurship is hard. Try everything in the early days and be discerning about what works so you can begin to carve a path towards systems and strategy. AND: it always takes longer and costs more!
Classic. Simple jewelry and mostly tan, white, black and denim clothing.
REALM is jewelry that makes me feel connected to my whole self and matches the maturity and confidence I feel as I enter a new stage of my life.
I love the pieces with CZ Noir, notably the Talon Pavé earring that looks so bold, the Spirit Pavé stack ring and the Corset Pavé ring that just looks like a boss piece.
Ann and I met at an intimate networking event where we connected with other female business owners and learned about the importance of sleep, sleep health and hygiene. I loved learning about her experiences, both successes and challenges, with her first jewelry company. I'm even more inspired by learning how she's growing REALM with that perspective.
#BeYourOwnEmpress: To have authority to influence others.
#ReignThoughtfully: Take time to understand your values, live them, share them and expect them out of those around you.
