We're thrilled to announce that Sticky Balsamic's founder, Lea Priest, has been recognized as one of Australia's Top 50 Small Business Leaders for 2025 by Inside Small Business. This prestigious acknowledgment celebrates the visionaries who are reshaping Australia's small business landscape through innovation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

A Recognition of Innovation and Leadership

The Top 50 Small Business Leaders awards shine a spotlight on the entrepreneurs who are driving change, creating jobs, and building businesses that make a real difference in their communities and beyond. For Lea and the entire Sticky Balsamic team, this recognition validates years of dedication to pushing boundaries in the gourmet food industry.

Since founding Sticky Balsamic in 2013, Lea has transformed a family-owned business into Australia's most awarded balsamic producer. But what sets this achievement apart isn't just the accolades—it's the journey of innovation, strategic thinking, and commitment to quality that has defined every step along the way.

Building Australia's Most Awarded Balsamic Brand

When Sticky Balsamic started, the vision was clear: create premium balsamic vinegar products that would stand out in a crowded market. But Lea didn't stop at producing exceptional balsamic vinegars. The recent game-changer came with the introduction of Sticky Balsamic Pearls—a revolutionary product that encases balsamic vinegar in a thin, tasteless, spherical seaweed shell using reverse spherification.

This innovation wasn't just about creating something new; it was about addressing a genuine need in the market. Chefs and home cooks alike were looking for premium convenience foods that didn't compromise on quality. The balsamic pearls delivered exactly that—a ready-to-eat solution that elevated dishes while maintaining the integrity and flavor of award-winning balsamic vinegar.

The market responded enthusiastically. Sticky Balsamic Pearls earned the 2023 Australian Business Awards Innovation Award for Consumer Products, cementing the company's reputation as a true innovator in the food manufacturing space.

Strategic Leadership Through Challenging Times

What makes Lea's leadership particularly noteworthy is how he's navigated the complex challenges facing modern small businesses. The current economic climate has made customers more price-conscious, yet Lea has steadfastly refused to compromise on quality or resort to flash sales that would devalue the premium brand positioning Sticky Balsamic has worked so hard to build.

Instead, he's taken a strategic approach to growth, focusing on several key areas:

Delegation and Diversification: Recognizing that sustainable growth requires focus, Lea has strategically delegated tasks to free up time for high-level strategy and relationship building. He's diversified Sticky Balsamic's marketing efforts, strengthening the brand's social media presence and investing heavily in content marketing through blog posts and frequent recipes that showcase the products' versatility.

Innovation as a Core Value: Rather than resting on past successes, Lea has doubled down on promoting Sticky Balsamic's unique selling proposition—being Australia's most awarded balsamic producer while simultaneously educating consumers about the innovation and benefits of the balsamic pearls. This dual focus on heritage and innovation has allowed the brand to appeal to both traditional balsamic enthusiasts and adventurous foodies seeking something new.

International Expansion: Under Lea's leadership, Sticky Balsamic has grown beyond Australian borders, making waves in the United States, New Zealand, and Asia. This international growth hasn't happened by accident—it's the result of careful planning, investment in distribution infrastructure, and a commitment to maintaining the same high standards regardless of where products are sold.

Sustainability and Community at the Heart of Business

Lea's leadership extends beyond profit margins and market share. Sustainability is central to Sticky Balsamic's identity, and this commitment is evident in every aspect of the business. From vegan, gluten-free products that cater to diverse dietary needs, to glass packaging designed for reuse and energy-efficient production powered by solar energy, every decision prioritizes waste reduction and environmental responsibility.

The company's ERP system streamlines inventory to minimize surplus, while local ingredient sourcing cuts transport emissions wherever possible. As Lea puts it, "Our goal is simple. We want to enhance simple, local ingredients so people can eat well without unnecessary environmental impact."

This isn't just good ethics—it's good business. Today's consumers, particularly the gourmet foodies and conscious consumers who make up Sticky Balsamic's core audience, increasingly make purchasing decisions based on a brand's values and environmental impact.

Behind the Success

With over 120 innovation, business, and product awards to its name, Sticky Balsamic has become synonymous with quality and innovation in the balsamic category. The business maintains HACCP and SQF certification, ensuring that every product meets the highest food safety standards, and at the time of this article, also holds Halal certification to serve diverse markets.

Looking Ahead: Ambitious Growth Plans

Being named a Top 50 Small Business Leader isn't an endpoint for Lea—it's validation that fuels even more ambitious plans for the future. Sticky Balsamic is pursuing aggressive expansion targets in both Australia and the United States, with a clear financial goal and strategic roadmap to get there.

The focus remains on building retail and foodservice partnerships, developing new distribution channels, and continuing to innovate with new varieties and product formats. Recent launches like Yuzu Pearls and the limited edition products based on customer feedback demonstrate that Lea and his team remain deeply connected to what their customers want.

What This Award Means for Sticky Balsamic

Recognition as a Top 50 Small Business Leader by Inside Small Business is more than just another award to add to Sticky Balsamic's impressive collection. It's an acknowledgment of the leadership, vision, and perseverance required to build a world-class food manufacturing business from the ground up.

For customers, this recognition is further proof that when they choose Sticky Balsamic products, they're supporting a business that's leading the way in innovation, sustainability, and quality. For retail partners and foodservice operators, it's confirmation that Sticky Balsamic is a brand with staying power, backed by leadership that knows how to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.

For the Sticky Balsamic team, it's a moment to celebrate the collective effort that goes into every jar of balsamic vinegar and every pearl that leaves the HACCP and SQF certified facility in regional Victoria.

Join Us in Celebrating This Achievement

We couldn't be prouder of Lea and everything this recognition represents. It's a testament to what's possible when you combine an incredible amount of hard work over many years, innovative thinking, unwavering commitment to quality, and a genuine desire to create products that enhance people's culinary experiences.

As we celebrate this milestone, we're also looking forward to what comes next. With leadership like this at the helm, the future of Sticky Balsamic is brighter than ever.

Want to experience the innovation and quality that earned this recognition? Explore our full range of award-winning balsamic vinegars and revolutionary balsamic pearls. Whether you're a home entertainer, a professional chef, or simply someone who appreciates exceptional food, there's a Sticky Balsamic product that will transform your dishes.

Thank you to Inside Small Business for this incredible honor, and thank you to our customers, partners, and supporters who have been part of this journey. Here's to continued innovation, growth, and leadership in the years ahead.