Her Story
About Elisabeth
Elisabeth Galvin is a visionary entrepreneur, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Stellar Snacks, and a lifelong builder of purpose driven food companies. Her entrepreneurial journey began with a deep connection to food, family traditions, arts, and the belief that great products can bring people together.
Growing up in her family's bakery in the south of France, Elisabeth developed a lifelong appreciation for craftsmanship, exceptional ingredients, creativity, and the joy of sharing food with others. Those early experiences shaped her belief that food is much more than nourishment. Food creates memories, connects people, and brings moments of happiness into everyday life. They also inspired one of the principles that continues to guide her today: good food should never be a luxury, but something everyone should be able to enjoy.
After earning a master's degree in finance, Elisabeth came to the United States on vacation. While traveling through the wide open landscapes of Nevada, she visited Silver Spur Arabian Ranch, where she met a young filly named Kalinda. Kalinda was known for being untouchable, and no one had been able to get close to her. Yet from the moment Elisabeth approached her, there was an immediate and extraordinary connection. Within moments, Kalinda gently rested her head against Elisabeth's shoulder. That unforgettable encounter changed the course of Elisabeth's life. She followed her heart, made America her home, and began an entrepreneurial journey that has now spanned more than three decades.
In 1992, Elisabeth founded Delyse Inc., inspired by the recipes and traditions of her family's bakery in France. One of her first products was a French praline called Thoz Nuts, which she introduced to Reno Air while also selling at football, baseball, and soccer games, festivals, farmers markets, and community events throughout Northern Nevada.
Like many entrepreneurs, Elisabeth started from her garage with a dream, determination, and a belief that creativity could open doors. As demand grew, she opened her first bakery next to the Bonanza Casino in Reno. The business continued to expand, leading to a 50,000 square foot production facility near the Reno Tahoe International Airport.
During this time, Elisabeth pioneered innovative co branding partnerships, helping companies connect with captive audiences through premium snack experiences. She partnered with more than 500 companies, including Fortune organizations such as American Express, AT&T, Motorola, AOL, Buick, and Time Warner. By creating programs where brands supported premium complimentary snacks for airline passengers, Elisabeth developed a model that created value for everyone: airlines could offer passengers an enhanced experience, brands could build meaningful connections, and consumers could enjoy high quality products.
Her partnerships expanded to airlines including Reno Air, America West, Northwest Airlines, United Airlines, American Airlines, and others. Elisabeth's ability to identify opportunities, create partnerships, and build innovative solutions became a defining part of her entrepreneurial journey.
In 2019, Elisabeth relocated operations to a state of the art 100,000 square foot bakery in Carson City, Nevada, creating the foundation for the next chapter of growth. Together with her daughter and Co Founder, Gina Galvin, Elisabeth launched Stellar Snacks with a shared vision to create exceptional pretzels while building a company centered around purpose, creativity, and connection.
Today, Elisabeth leads Stellar Snacks alongside Gina, whose vision, creativity, and leadership continue to inspire the company's growth. Together, they are reimagining the pretzel category by creating premium, non GMO, Kosher Certified, vegan pretzels that combine exceptional taste, quality ingredients, and a mission to make a positive impact.
In November 2024, Elisabeth and Gina opened a second manufacturing facility in Louisville, Kentucky, a 434,000 square foot bakery that significantly expanded production capabilities and strengthened Stellar Snacks' ability to serve customers nationwide.
Today, Stellar Snacks employs more than 300 dedicated team members across its Nevada and Kentucky bakeries and distributes products to more than 20,000 retail locations across the United States. The brand can be found at leading retailers including Kroger, Target, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Whole Foods Market's Florida division, as well as thousands of independent retailers, specialty food stores, wineries, college campuses, and community locations throughout the country.
One of the company's most meaningful initiatives is the Stellar Snacks Artist Program. Elisabeth and Gina believe that creativity makes the world more beautiful, and every bag of Stellar Snacks becomes a canvas to showcase talented artists and their stories. Through this program, they provide artists with a platform to share their work while bringing beauty, imagination, and inspiration into an everyday product. Supporting artists reflects their belief that creativity, like food, has the power to connect people.
Elisabeth's passion for Mother Nature is woven throughout her life and her work. She believes nature is one of our greatest teachers and that beauty exists in every shape and form. Working alongside farmers across Montana, Wyoming, California, and other regions of the country is deeply meaningful to her because she respects the dedication, care, and responsibility required to nourish communities.
Through Stellar Snacks, Elisabeth hopes to inspire families to explore America's incredible national parks, spend more time outdoors, and reconnect with the simple wonders that surround us every day. She believes that sharing a snack during a road trip, a hike, a picnic, or a gathering with loved ones can create memories that last a lifetime.
Elisabeth is also deeply committed to building a workplace where people can grow personally and professionally. She takes great pride in mentoring young leaders, supporting her teams, and creating meaningful career opportunities. She believes that a company's greatest strength is its people and that investing in others is one of the most important responsibilities of a leader.
Elisabeth credits much of her entrepreneurial spirit to her father, a civil engineer and NASA professional, and her grandfather, a pilot and military colonel. They taught her perseverance, courage, discipline, and the importance of focusing on the destination rather than the obstacles along the way. Their values continue to guide her decisions, leadership, and vision.
Throughout her career, Elisabeth has remained committed to giving back. She has supported organizations including Feeding America, the American Red Cross, Girl Scouts, and Boys & Girls Club. She also helped establish the Family Charter School, an innovative school serving hundreds of children through creativity, exploration, and academic excellence.
For Elisabeth, success has never been measured only by business growth. It is measured by the relationships created, the opportunities provided, the artists supported, the farmers celebrated, the employees empowered, and the families who come together around a simple bag of pretzels.
Every evening, Elisabeth looks to the stars and thinks of her father, her grandfather, loved ones who have passed, and the animals who have touched her heart, including her beloved horse and dogs who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. She believes we are all connected by the same source of energy, and that belief inspires her to lead with gratitude, compassion, curiosity, and purpose.
Together, Elisabeth and Gina continue to build Stellar Snacks with the belief that business can be a force for good. Their vision is to create products that bring people together, celebrate creativity, support farmers and artists, honor nature, strengthen communities, and inspire others to dream boldly, live wholeheartedly, and leave the world a little better than they found ihip and entrepreneurial accomplishments, Elisabeth continues to inspire others through her commitment to purpose-driven business, financial discipline, resilience, and the belief that true success is measured by the positive impact created for people and communities.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Elisabeth
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to having a clear sense of purpose, staying focused on my goals, and finding the resilience to overcome challenges along the way. Every chapter of my life has taught me something valuable, and each experience has strengthened my belief that success is never measured only by what we accomplish, but by the lives we touch and the positive impact we leave behind.
Growing up in my family's bakery in France shaped who I am. From an early age I learned the importance of quality, hard work, craftsmanship, and creating meaningful experiences for others. There was something magical about seeing people gather around fresh bread and pastries. Food has always represented much more than nourishment to me. It brings people together, creates memories, and expresses love in a simple and genuine way.
As an entrepreneur, I have learned that success requires creativity, discipline, financial responsibility, adaptability, and the courage to keep moving forward even when the path is uncertain. Some of my greatest opportunities came during difficult moments because I chose to see possibilities instead of obstacles. Every business I have built has been guided by the same purpose, to solve real problems, create opportunities for others, and build something that truly makes a difference.
My father, who was a civil engineer, and my grandfather, who was a pilot and military colonel, inspired me every day of my life. They taught me perseverance, determination, courage, and integrity. Most importantly, they taught me to keep my eyes on the destination instead of becoming distracted by the challenges along the journey. Their example continues to guide me, and I carry their values with me in every decision I make.
One of the greatest joys of my life is building Stellar Snacks with my daughter Gina. She is my cofounder, my inspiration, and one of the most remarkable people I know. Watching her grow into such an incredible leader has been one of the greatest gifts of my life. Together we are building much more than a snack company. We are building a company with heart, one that reflects our shared values and our belief that business can be a force for good.
I love working alongside our talented young team. Their passion, creativity, optimism, and fresh ideas inspire me every single day. They remind me that the future belongs to people who are willing to dream big and work hard to bring those dreams to life.
At Stellar Snacks, we are changing the future of pretzels with purpose. We want every bag to bring a smile, every bite to remind people that simple moments matter, and every product to reflect our commitment to quality, kindness, and authenticity. We hope our pretzels become part of family road trips, hikes through our beautiful national parks, afternoons with friends, and celebrations around the table. Food has always been about sharing, and sharing creates connection.
One of the parts of our company that means the most to me is our Artist Program. Every bag of Stellar Snacks features original artwork from talented artists whose stories deserve to be seen. We believe artists make the world more beautiful, and we are proud to give them a platform to share their creativity with millions of people. Supporting artists is our way of celebrating imagination, diversity, and the beauty that exists all around us.
Nature has always been one of my greatest teachers. I believe Mother Nature is beauty in every shape and form. Whether I am standing in the mountains, walking through a forest, watching the ocean, or looking up at a sky full of stars, I am reminded that we are all part of something much bigger than ourselves. I have enormous respect for the farmers we work with across Montana, Wyoming, California, and many other parts of the country. Their dedication to the land inspires me, and I feel incredibly grateful to work alongside people who care so deeply about growing the very best ingredients while protecting the earth for future generations.
My dream is to help make America happier and healthier while encouraging people to reconnect with nature and with each other. I hope our products inspire families to explore our incredible national parks, discover places they have never visited, slow down, and appreciate the extraordinary beauty that surrounds us every day.
Every evening I look up at the stars and think about my father, my grandfather, the people I have loved, and my beloved horse and dogs who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge. Those quiet moments remind me that love never disappears. I truly believe we are all connected by the same source of energy. That belief fills me with gratitude, keeps me grounded, and reminds me to live with compassion, generosity, and an open heart.
Throughout my life I have been fortunate to build companies, mentor entrepreneurs, create opportunities, and work with extraordinary people. Yet my greatest accomplishment has never been the businesses themselves. It has been the relationships, the friendships, the lives we have touched, and the opportunity to create something meaningful with people I love.
This journey is still only beginning. I hope the legacy I leave is one of kindness, curiosity, courage, creativity, respect for nature, and a belief that business can make the world better. If our work brings people together, supports artists, celebrates farmers, inspires young leaders, encourages families to spend time outdoors, and leaves someone feeling a little happier or more hopeful, then I will know we have accomplished something truly worthwhile.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The greatest career advice I have ever received is to stay focused on the destination rather than the distractions along the journey. Through my experiences riding horses and bicycles, I learned one of life's most important lessons: when you take your eyes away from where you want to go, you can lose your direction or lose your balance. The key is to keep looking forward, trust your path, and continue moving with purpose.
I have carried this lesson throughout my entrepreneurial journey. Building companies requires focus, resilience, courage, and determination, especially when challenges appear along the way. There will always be obstacles, unexpected turns, and moments of uncertainty, but staying connected to your vision allows you to keep moving forward.
I believe great entrepreneurs do not simply create products. They listen carefully, recognize meaningful needs, develop thoughtful solutions, and build with intention. True entrepreneurship is about combining passion with discipline, staying authentic to your values, and having the perseverance to continue pursuing a vision even when the journey is challenging.
The destination matters, but the journey shapes who we become. Every challenge, lesson, and experience along the way helps us grow, innovate, and create something meaningful for others.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
The advice I would give to young women entering the consumer packaged goods industry is to believe in themselves first. You are the cake, and everything else is the icing on the cake. Your passion, your values, your curiosity, your resilience, your determination, and your voice are what truly make the difference.
Never let anyone silence your ideas or make you question your worth. Your perspective matters. Stand up for what you believe is right, protect the value you bring, and remember that you are the person putting your heart, energy, and commitment into building something. Do not settle for less than you deserve, and do not be afraid to advocate for yourself, your ideas, and your equity.
The CPG industry is filled with incredible founders, innovative ideas, and inspiring products. If you have a product or an idea that solves a real problem, creates meaningful value, or has the potential to improve people's lives, have the courage to pursue it. Do not wait for everything to be perfect. Take action, learn along the way, and keep moving forward.
Do not be afraid of making mistakes. Some of the greatest lessons in entrepreneurship come from the moments when things do not go exactly as planned. Every challenge, every mistake, and every obstacle is an opportunity to learn, grow, and become a stronger leader.
One of the most important lessons I have learned is that it takes a village to build a company. No founder succeeds alone. Surround yourself with intelligent, caring leaders who are curious, resilient, and committed to something bigger than themselves. Build a strong foundation with people who believe in your vision, bring different perspectives, and have the courage to give you honest feedback.
Never stop learning. The best entrepreneurs have a constant appetite for knowledge and strive to learn more every day than they knew the day before. The world is changing quickly, and staying curious about new technologies is essential. Understanding how innovations such as robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence can improve efficiency, quality, and scalability will be increasingly important for the future of CPG.
I also encourage young founders to understand the importance of financial discipline and building a strong foundation. When I started my journey, I used an SBA loan to help build my business. It taught me the importance of being resourceful, managing responsibly, and creating sustainable growth. When raising capital, choose partners and investors who share your values, believe in your vision, and are people you can truly trust.
Most importantly, remember why you are building. The purpose of entrepreneurship is not simply to make money. Money is a tool that allows you to create, grow, and make an impact. The true purpose is to use your talents and your company to make the world a better place, uplift others, create opportunities, and respect Mother Nature.
Build something that reflects who you are and the values you believe in. The greatest success is not only what you achieve, but the positive change you create for people, communities, and the planet. When you lead with purpose, passion, and integrity, you can build something that lasts far beyond yourself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The food manufacturing and CPG industry is experiencing one of the most exciting periods of transformation, creating tremendous opportunities for founders who are willing to innovate, adapt, and stay close to consumers. Today’s customers are looking for more than just a product. They want quality, transparency, better ingredients, sustainability, wellness, and brands that represent values they believe in.
One of the greatest opportunities in CPG is the ability to build brands with purpose. Consumers are increasingly seeking products that not only taste great but also support their health, communities, farmers, and the environment. Companies that can combine exceptional products with authentic storytelling and meaningful impact will continue to stand out.
At the same time, the industry faces significant challenges. Building a food company requires navigating rising costs, supply chain complexity, labor challenges, changing consumer expectations, and the constant need to innovate while maintaining quality and financial discipline. Scaling a manufacturing business is not easy. It requires strong leadership, operational excellence, smart investment, and the ability to adapt quickly.
I also believe there is a tremendous opportunity to continue empowering women entrepreneurs and leaders in the food industry. While progress has been made, access to capital, mentorship, and resources remains important for women who want to transform their ideas into successful businesses. My own experience using SBA financing taught me how critical the right resources can be when turning a vision into reality.
Creating strong teams and workplaces where people can grow is equally important. I am passionate about building environments where women and young leaders are encouraged to develop their skills, take on challenges, and become the next generation of innovators.
Looking ahead, technology will play an important role in the future of CPG. Companies that embrace innovation, including automation, robotics, and artificial intelligence, will have new opportunities to improve efficiency, quality, and scalability while allowing people to focus on creativity, problem solving, and growth.
Ultimately, I believe the greatest opportunity in CPG is to build companies that serve a greater purpose. Success is not only about financial growth. It is about creating products people love, supporting employees, respecting Mother Nature, uplifting communities, and leaving a positive impact for future generations. The future belongs to entrepreneurs who combine innovation with purpose and have the courage to build something meaningful.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me in both my work and personal life are trust, integrity, authenticity, compassion, creativity, and a commitment to making a positive impact. Trust is the foundation of every meaningful relationship, whether it is with family, employees, customers, partners, or the communities we serve. Without trust, it is impossible to build something lasting.
Authenticity is one of the values I hold closest to my heart. I believe in walking your talk and talking your walk. Your actions should reflect your words, and your decisions should be guided by your values even when no one is watching. True leadership comes from being genuine, staying humble, and having the courage to remain true to who you are.
Inspired by generations of family entrepreneurship, I believe successful businesses should be built with strong values at their core. A company should not only create exceptional products, but also bring people together, create opportunities, strengthen communities, and operate with respect for people and Mother Nature.
I have always believed that food is much more than nourishment. Food creates connection. It brings families and friends together, creates memories, and allows people from different backgrounds and cultures to share meaningful experiences. This belief has guided every chapter of my career and continues to inspire the work we do at Stellar Snacks.
Creativity is another value that deeply influences how I approach business and life. Innovation comes from curiosity, openness, and the willingness to see possibilities where others may see limitations. I believe we should continue learning, exploring new ideas, embracing new technologies, and encouraging others to share their unique talents and perspectives.
Giving back has always been an important part of my personal and professional philosophy. Through mentorship, philanthropy, and leadership, I strive to support others, create opportunities, and help people recognize their own potential. I believe the greatest leaders are those who lift others as they grow.
Ultimately, I believe success is not measured only by what we achieve, but by the positive difference we make in the lives of others. The true legacy we leave behind is found in the relationships we build, the people we empower, the communities we strengthen, and the respect we show for the world around us. When we lead with trust, authenticity, compassion, and purpose, we can create something meaningful that lasts far beyond ourselves.
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