47. Luconda Dager, Velvet Ice Cream

There were times, over the past few months, that Luconda Dager didn’t want to get out of bed.Dager is president of Velvet Ice Cream, and the Utica-based company was outsourcing ice cream production to three partners in the Midwest. The shift followed a listeria scare in April, discovered via the company’s routine testing. It’s also part of an effort to boost capacity after strong demand in 2020.It’s the right decision for the business, Dager knows, but it’s been a tough one, especially as it entailed some job cuts on the manufacturing side.Still, even on those days when the challenges of the past few months have seemed overwhelming, Dager knew she didn’t have the option of giving up.“You just have to get up and go in and be a fearless leader,” said Dager, who chatted with us recently for our Women of Influence podcast.Check out the full episode to hear more about Dager’s background, her experience rising through the family business, and what flavor of ice cream will always tempt her.Mentioned in this episode:Let Crate Media help uncover your company's story and amplify your messaging with a branded podcast. Get a free one-hour casting session at crate.media/cbf