Early Life: Grit Built in Ufa
Born in the small Russian city of Ufa, Erika grew up in a family of medical innovators. Her grandmother was a microbiologist who worked with Nobel Prize-winner Elie Metchnikoff, the pioneer of probiotics. Her father, also MD in microbiology, was deeply passionate about beauty and health—a fascination Erika inherited early on.
By age 13, Erika was already earning her own money modeling for Gloria Jeans(one of the largest Russian clothing brands). With her first paycheck, she bought an encyclopedia—an early sign of her curiosity and hunger for knowledge.
She spent 13 years in choreography and dance, but her school years were far from smooth. Bullied for being different and doubted by many, she remained defiant and driven.
Leaving Home at 16: The Leap to Canada
At 16, Erika left everything behind and moved to Canada alone. She quickly rose from underdog to standout—becoming student council president, excelling in academics, and even scoring 114% on a school project. Modeling continued, but her passion was shifting.
She enrolled in the University of Toronto’s business school but quickly realized the corporate world lacked the creativity she craved. She transferred to Ryerson University, where she found her home in innovation.
At the DMZ (Digital Media Zone), she worked with startups, supported investment funds, and even launched her own fashion tech brand that made it to Toronto Fashion Week.
San Francisco: Vision, Health Crises, and Reinvention
Erika moved to San Francisco in search of bigger visions. She earned two master’s degrees in digital innovation, but her health began to fail.
The American diet, stress, and poor-quality food disrupted her microbiome, leading to chronic skin issues and low immunity.
That struggle led to an epiphany: gut health isn’t a trend—it’s foundational. Alongside Dario Tobia, she co-founded Kefir Lab, a cutting-edge probiotic company born from personal need and scientific integrity.
Building Kefir Lab: Health Meets Precision Science
The journey was anything but smooth. With no credit history, no space to rent, and countless legal and logistical challenges, Erika and Dario built their lab from scratch. Every detail—from sourcing to fermentation—was designed to heal the gut, restore health, and empower others.
Years later, *Kefir Lab* has grown into a nationally recognized brand with shelf presence from coast to coast across the U.S. Erika’s work is redefining probiotics by merging ancestral wisdom with modern science.
Legacy in the Making
Today, Erika is more than a founder—she’s a force for change in the wellness world. Her mission is rooted in science, resilience, and purpose: help people heal, thrive, and lead healthier lives through better gut health.
