Women of the Year – Meg E. Carlson, Generate Growth LLC dba Uproar Capital

By Brooke Strickland

Meg Carlson is the founder and CEO of Uproar Capital, which accelerates early-stage food and beverage brands such as Charlie’s Table, Domaine Sante, Snacktivist Foods and more. She also serves as the strategic advisor to the CEO of technology at ioAIRE through her Generate Growth LLC.

Carlson’s extensive background in strategic business development and general management came from her 16 years in corporate leadership at Ore-Ida Foods, where she was successful in creating a new business unit and directing expansion from $100 million to $240 million in sales revenue over five years. She also has experience leading Prosperity Organic Foods as a mission-driven company guided by integrity, authenticity and purpose from October 2010 to April 2018.

When she isn’t busy with her day-to-day work, Carlson can be found serving on numerous boards. Most notably, she has served on the advisory board for the College of Business and Economics and the University of Idaho for more than 30 years. She is also on the board and audit committee for SOS Hydration and is a member and leader of the Entrepreneurs Organization.

Carlson shared that she was raised to be an overachiever and to believe that all things are possible.

“Staying true to our values and striving for continuous learning and personal growth are strong beliefs of mine,” she said. “I am inspired by my peers in leadership roles and enjoy mentoring others. I believe women leaders have a strong calling to pay it forward and bring their younger sisters up with them. Through our mistakes, our personal losses and our suffering, we discover improved approaches, we gain new and deeper friendships, and we celebrate our successes through others. It is in showing up with a full and caring heart that we truly experience joy. Highly motivated to give back to other leaders and organizations, I commit fully to each opportunity with positivity, strategic guidance and emotional support.”

In a letter of recommendation for Carlson, Suzie Hall shared, “I consider Meg to be in the top 5% of business leaders that I know when it comes to quality and integrity. When Meg commits to something, it is with at least 110% effort. When Meg speaks, people listen. When Meg says she will do something, she always follows through, no matter what.”

Connie Miller, who has known Carlson for more than two decades, said that she continues to be impressed with her commitment to mentoring others and her incredible ability to share wisdom and expertise with others.

“Meg’s influence extends beyond her professional achievements,” Miller said. “She is deeply committed to serving her local community, demonstrating dedication to mentoring and simply encouraging others to grow in their skills. Meg can look at a situation and see opportunity, and then she provides wisdom to grow others. She is generous, a strong servant leader and a friend to many.”