Episodios
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The landscape of the business world is changing for the better and to help people prioritize family, personal life, and passion. Not only do these changes make for better employees, but they also improve the overall quality of their lives. Today’s guest is an incredible entrepreneur whose mission is to help other business leaders lead with purpose! Meghan French Dunbar joins us today to discuss her impressive career, the book she’s just written, self-care, and so much more!
Join us as we delve into the power of women in the workplace, even touching on the often feared ‘P’ word (patriarchy), and discuss what men can learn from female leaders in business. We go on to talk about how workplace culture is evolving with younger generations before Meghan shares her suggestions for helping people be more vulnerable in group networking settings. Meghan even tells us what to expect from her in the near future. Finally, our guest tells us where to find her online. To hear all this and even be reminded of the power and importance of listening, be sure to tune in now!
Guest Bio:
Meghan French Dunbar is a purpose-driven business leader and the founder of Conscious Company Magazine. She launched the magazine in 2015 with the mission of highlighting businesses that make a positive impact. After navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, including burnout, she sold the company in 2017 and served as CEO until 2020. Meghan now leads Tide Turn Labs (formerly Women Led), a community for purpose-driven business leaders, co-founded Stakeholder Business, and has written her first book, This Isn’t Working, set for release in August 2025.Key Points From This Episode:
[00:19] A quick catch-up with Mike and Laura and what their holiday plans are.[09:15] Welcoming Meghan French Dunbar to the show and a bit about what she does. [11:14] Meghan tells us about what led her to start her business magazine. [15:35] A breakdown of her book and what inspired her to write it. [21:09] How Meghan takes care of herself in between creating her work. [29:21] What women bring to leadership, how men can learn from them, and the dangers of patriarchy. [42:01] How the landscape of workplace culture is evolving with younger generations. [46:36] Where to pre-order Meghan’s book and what’s next for her career. [51:02] Meghan shares some suggestions for helping people open up at group networking events. [59:33] Where listeners can interact with Meghan online. [01:02:52] Some key takeaways from today’s conversation.Quotes:
“We feel like we don’t have permission in society to, like, take time off and be with our families and like, do these sorts of things, and sometimes, when one person does them, then someone else feels like it’s okay to do them.” — Meghan French Dunbar [0:26:09]
“[Women] have to learn how to express all of the traits that men have been brought up to express. So, we learn how to. – We speak masculine traits and feminine traits, which in reality is just human traits – that we all should have learned how to express in the beginning.” — Meghan French Dunbar [0:32:29]
“The number one predictor of longevity in human life is social connections, meaningful, deep, rich social connections.” — Meghan French Dunbar [0:52:24]
[12:42] Conscious Company Media on LinkedIn[46:37]Preorder This Isn’t Working[47:18] Tide Turn Labs[52:21] Harvard Longitudinal Study[57:20] Susan Griffin-Black on LinkedIn[59:41] Stakeholder Business
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ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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No matter what industry you are in, swag is everywhere and, when used correctly, can be a very effective vehicle for marketing. Today’s guest is a leader in this field and has made it her mission to create a human-centric ecosystem in her business. Tara Milburn joins us today to discuss her career, her business, Ethical Swag, and the importance of putting people first in leadership. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about her career, what drew her to swag, what Ethical Swag has looked like from opening until now, and so much more!
Our guest goes on to talk about how she manages and prioritizes people and relationships before discussing navigating having employees all over the world while still bringing love into her leadership. We even discuss some of the biggest errors she sees when companies try to create a human-centric culture, how she keeps her mission, vision, and values alive in her company, and why being ethical is prioritizing progress over perfection and being entirely transparent. Finally, Tara tells us about her incredible father and what he taught her about leadership. To hear all this, and even be reminded that it takes time to build a sustainable business, press play now!
Guest Bio:
Tara Milburn is an accomplished business executive with expertise in building partnerships and driving strategic initiatives. She has played key roles in high-profile projects, including co-writing the successful bid for the NBA's first international expansion and contributing to Vancouver's bid for the 2010 Winter Olympics. With a focus on social and ecological sustainability, Tara founded Ethical Swag to promote equity in the corporate merchandise supply chain. She is also an active volunteer, having held leadership positions with the CIBC Run for the Cure, Celtic Colours International Festival, and Cape Breton University.Key Points From This Episode:
[00:20] Why Mike absolutely adores frogs and a catch-up with our hosts. [11:03] An introduction to today’s guest, Tara Milburn. [12:08] Tara tells us about the incredible biosphere that she lives in: Cape Breton Island. [13:54] What led her to create her company, Ethical Swag. [16:15] Tara walks us through the process of starting the business through to where it is now. [26:40] How she approaches people and relationships in her business. [31:31] Balancing her family and work life and bringing love into leadership. [37:39] How she manages to lead employees all over the world. [41:24] The mistakes she sees companies make in trying to create a human-centric culture. [44:56] How Tara keeps her mission, vision, and values at the forefront of Ethical Swag. [47:54] What being ethical actually entails. [51:44] Tara shares her bigger goals for the swag industry as a whole. [54:41] How Tara’s father has shaped her as an entrepreneur. [59:54] Some key takeaways from this episode.Quotes:
“I sort of see swag as almost a far more economical sponsorship of what you stand for as a brand.” — Tara Milburn [0:14:32]
“It’s a technology-driven, human-centered company that we’re creating.” — Tara Milburn [0:21:37]
“[Being Ethical means] progress over perfection and – transparency.” — Tara Milburn [0:47:54]
“It’s not what you say, it’s what you do that matters.” — Tara Milburn [0:51:48]
[10:08]Ethical Swag
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ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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If you want to be a successful leader, you need to be present with each person you interact with, prioritize the growth of your team, and meet people where they’re at. Today on Love In Leadership, we are joined by BIGGBY® COFFEE partners, Brandon Cruise and Jeff Konczak to discuss what has brought them success in their leadership journeys. Hear all about their effortless partnership, how they define the BIGGBY® COFFEE culture, and what they love about the brand.
As the conversation progresses, we dive into the nitty gritty details of our guest’s leadership styles. Jeff and Brandon humbly share their strengths in building and maintaining relationships before discussing the importance of finding balance by doing what you love. We even hear about what we can look forward to from the two of them in the future. Finally, Brandon tells us how faith has made him a better leader and Jeff reminds us to make the most of our limited days on earth. To hear all this and so much more, tune in now!
Guest Bio:Brandon Cruise is a BIGGBY® COFFEE franchise owner based in Marysville, Ohio, where he lives with his wife, Laura, and their four young children. Since signing on for their first franchise in 2018, Brandon and his family have successfully grown their business, now owning two locations (556 and 1048) since 2020. Brandon’s parents, Sandy and Clancy, play a crucial role in the business. Sandy manages the essential administrative tasks, including payroll, while Clancy, a former pastor with over 30 years of experience, is a certified espresso machine technician who handles equipment maintenance and repairs. Together, the Cruise family’s teamwork and dedication have been key to their business's success.
Jeff Konczak is an entrepreneur and founder of BCubed Manufacturing, specializing in modular drive-through BIGGBY® COFFEE shops. Based in his hometown, Jeff has built a diverse business portfolio, including four BIGGBY Coffee franchises and extensive real estate holdings, such as VA clinics and historic properties. Starting with a single prototype in 2017, BCubed has since grown to 77 locations. Jeff is also deeply involved in local development, acquiring and revitalizing properties, including cinemas and waterfront buildings. His innovative approach combines business growth with community revitalization, making a lasting impact both locally and beyond.
Key Points From This Episode:
[00:35] A brief catch-up with our hosts and a little of what they’ve been up to. [08:48] Introducing our guests, Jeff Konczak and Brandon Cruise. [13:04] How Jeff and Brandon got to know each other. [14:48] Brandon tells us what his role is and how he defines the BIGGBY® COFFEE culture. [19:05] What drew Jeff to BIGGBY® COFFEE and what he loves about it.[24:19] Our guests describe their leadership styles and tell us what works for them. [40:10] How Brandon and Jeff balance their work with their personal lives. [44:38] What our guests are excited about for the future of their businesses. [50:07] Brandon tells us how his faith impacts him as a leader. [54:19] Key takeaways from today’s inspirational conversation.Quotes:
“We want the best for the brand. I've fallen in love with [it].” — Jeff Konczak [0:21:04]
“There's nothing that isn't possible if you put your mind to it and work hard.” — Jeff Konczak [0:31:44]
“The people that work for you are everything. – If you don't have [them], then you do become unbalanced really quickly because then it feels like it's up to you to do everything.” — Brandon Cruise [0:43:21]
“I'm all about letting people make mistakes and move forward and try to get better every day.” — Brandon Cruise [0:51:46]
[10:48]BCubed Manufacturing[26:05] How to Win Friends and Influence People[51:18] Switchfoot
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WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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Key Points From This Episode:
[00:45] Catching up with your hosts, Mike McFall and Laura Eich.[03:00] Mike shares details about his son’s program, Class Afloat.[05:40] The need for organizations to consistently change and evolve over time.[09:20] Navigating change as someone who seeks stability and consistency.[11:30] The impact on the culture of an organization and its approach to dealing with change.[12:10] Laura reflects on her comment about Mike “still being there” during the reorg.[14:30] Mike unpacks the idea that the culture of your organization is the summation of the relationships within the organization.[16:50] We look at the possible processes of forming the culture within an organization.[20:00] Can you force culture in an organization?[25:40] Laura shares about reintegrating the new Life You Love laboratory team.[31:10] Our take on layoffs and people losing their jobs.[38:50] We talk about the things that we are grateful and thankful for.Quotes:
“There's a need to evolve regularly. We have to be changing. We have to be working and improving, and we have to be getting better. That does mean a significant amount of change.” — @MikeJMcFall [0:07:23]
“I think how companies deal with change is important to the culture of the organization.” — @MikeJMcFall [0:11:34]
“The culture of your organization is the summation of the relationships in the organization — Focusing on the relationships and building the relationships, building the trust is how you build a safe culture.” — @MikeJMcFall [0:14:20]
“Building an environment where relationships can occur is the job of ‘leadership.’” — @MikeJMcFall [0:15:30]
“If you desire to be part of the [organization’s] culture, you have to offer some part of yourself to be part of that culture as well, and the culture evolves with your participation.” — Laura Eich [0:18:38]
“We want to utilize the people in our company to the best of their ability and the company's ability because it's also not respectful to leave people in a role where they're not doing something great.” — Laura Eich [0:32:12]
[03:07]Class Afloat[16:30] LifeLab[22:50] Grow: Take Your Business from Chaos to Calm[42:20] Des Linden on X[45:40] Meghan French Dunbar
RESOURCES:
FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
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Follow Mike McFall:
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Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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Guest Bio:
Ed Buison is an Area Representative of BIGGBY® COFFEE in Oakland County, Michigan. He’s a B.S. graduate in Computer Science and a Master’s recipient in Business Administration from Wayne State University, with a decade of experience in computer programming. Together with his wife, Eileen, Ed has two other businesses—Avalon Care, LLC and CuCenTech—and the pair now have their third and fourth BIGGBY® COFFEE branches in development. Ed’s love languages are words of affirmation and physical touch.
Key Points From This Episode:
[01:26] Laura and Mike’s current thoughts and feelings about AI in business.[09:43] Welcoming Ed Buison as he explains who he is and what he does.[11:15] How he found BIGGBY®, and why he decided to join the community.[16:16] Why he and his wife Eileen chose entrepreneurship in a time of financial unrest.[18:41] The pros and cons of going into business with your spouse.[20:37] How Ed went from shy to confident, and why he prioritizes caring for his staff.[26:30] Ed and Eileen’s protocol for cultivating their unique and inspirational office culture.[33:47] Why their colleagues handed them the BIGGBY® COFFEE Purpose Award for 2024.[35:26] Bringing experts to the office and other ways Ed helps his staff succeed.[38:51] A closer look at how he develops leaders at work.[43:06] Ed details his primary love language.[46:31] Why office personality tests are an important work-in-progress for Ed and his team.[47:55] Using Megan as a case study for how Ed and Eileen support and reward their staff.[50:40] Ed’s biggest goals and how he hopes to achieve them.[54:38] Key takeaways from today’s conversation.Quotes:
“What really drew us [into BIGGBY®] was the idea of supporting your community, because we do believe that as a business, you are – obligated or you have to give back to the community because those are your customers; they’re the ones supporting you.” — Ed Buison [0:14:20]
“[As] you do things more and more, you get more comfortable, and then maybe you even start to enjoy it.” — Ed Buison [0:24:47]
“I always believe that the people within an organization are a reflection of the culture of the organization, which is truly established and nurtured by the owner; by the leader.” — @MikeJMcfall [0:26:33]
“We hate to lose good [staff members] but we’re so happy that we’ve been a part of this connection to get them to the next step.” — Ed Buison [0:30:10]
“We don’t do it for the recognition but it is nice when you’re recognized.” — Ed Buison [0:44:48]
[04:12] ‘How To Lead Through AI Anxiety: Strategies For The Modern Workplace’[16:16] Eileen Buison on LinkedIn[16:16] Avalon Care, LLC[16:16] CuCenTech[27:39] The 5 Love Languages[42:51] The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace[50:50] The Moonshot Guidebook[55:56] PNC Bank
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WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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Rick Loera is a dedicated BIGGBY® COFFEE franchise owner and the 2024 BIGGBY Cup Winner, recognized for his commitment to fostering a positive work environment. With a background of nearly 30 years in restaurant management, including roles with Bob Evans and Outback Steakhouse, Rick brings a wealth of experience in leadership and team development. Now leading multiple BIGGBY locations in Ohio, he emphasizes speed, customer experience, and BIGGBY’s core values to create a thriving, community-focused business.
Key Points From This Episode:
[06:56] Rick Loera, franchise owner of BIGGBY® Coffee Elyria and BIGGBY Cup winner.[09:45] A history of the BIGGBY® Cup, what it is, and how it’s awarded.[12:04] Rick’s time working at Bob Evans and how he became a BIGGBY® franchise owner.[15:55] Powerful leadership lessons from Rick’s years of restaurant management experience.[19:32] Unpacking the distinctions between management and leadership.[21:22] How Rick makes sure he engages in growth and continuous learning.[23:08] The number one factor in creating a workplace where people want to show up.[29:25] Tips for creating a fun, engaging, and creative work environment.[31:35] Rick’s thoughts on the concept of love in the workplace.[36:06] BIGGBY®’s PERC philosophy and other similar guiding principles.[42:35] An anecdote about BIGGBY®’s Farm-Direct certification and environmental ethos.[45:27] Rick’s dream to expand the BIGGBY® locations in Lorain County.[48:46] Reflections on today’s conversation and Rick’s leadership lessons.Quotes:
“People get in that position and think, ‘Okay, now, I’m a leader because I’m a manager.’ — There is just so much more to leadership than [there is to] management. — Leadership is truly about growing people.” — Rick Loera [0:19:57]
“Managing is just managing processes. Leadership is all about growing people. And if you don’t grow your people, you’re not growing yourself.” — Rick Loera [0:20:46]
“We have to create a positive work environment for our people.” — Rick Loera [0:23:35]
“Sometimes, as leaders, you think that you may know everything, right? You don’t. Embrace feedback.” — Rick Loera [0:27:36]
“You have to love what you do. And if you don’t love what you do, then it is not going to filter down to your team, to your managers, and even to your customers.” — Rick Loera [0:31:39]
[22:25] Rick’s recommendations for continuous growth and learning Switch and Raving Fans.[46:46] Check out Rick’s BIGGBY® Coffee location at 831 Cleveland Street in Elyria, Ohio.
RESOURCES:
FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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Guest Bio:
Alisha Beck, originally from southeast Michigan, has a rich background in people-oriented roles. Starting her career at Dunkin Donuts, she transitioned to BIGGBY® COFFEE, where she has held various positions at store and home office levels, including personal development mentoring, culture development, and employee coaching. Alisha currently holds the title of People Development Mentor and is a key part of the LifeLab team. Outside of work, she is a mom, wife, and dog mommy and lives in Farmington, Michigan.
Key Points From This Episode:
[05:16] Alisha Beck’s career journey to People Development Mentor at BIGGBY® COFFEE.[11:35] Her transition from traditional operations to The Life You Love Laboratory.[14:00] Alisha’s leadership superpower and what she learned from her time at Dunkin Donuts.[17:28] The origins of the Life You Love Workshops and how Alisha helped develop them.[20:46] How these workshops benefit and impact the lives of participants.[24:01] Inspiring stories of transformation and connection from the Life You Love Workshops.[29:01] Key lessons from the Harvard case study on the Life You Love Workshops.[30:51] How these workshops would need to change for greater adoption among franchisees.[32:48] The value of these workshops for young people.[36:23] BIGGBY'®s Vision Store program and its goal to improve workplace culture in the US.[37:56] What Alisha and Laura would wish for if they had a magic wand.[41:56] Top challenges in getting people to take part in non-traditional programs.[46:23] An overview of today’s episode and Alisha’s passion for her work.Quotes:
“Our purpose is to support you in building a life you love. And I am just so naturally drawn to that as a person because I have always wanted to inspire people to do exactly that.” — Alisha Beck [0:11:57]
“When we started building what we call the boost sphere, I felt really passionate about what that work was going to be turning into, and I wanted to have a seat at the table to help build it and help create it and help grow it.” — Alisha Beck [0:13:10]
“Part of [our quest] and that we’re trying to prove is that this work is how you are going to be profitable. – It can feel like an afterthought, and it can feel like something that can happen later, but when we keep waiting until after, we might miss that [opportunity].” — Alisha Beck [0:32:12]
“If I could wave a magic wand, it would somehow be finding a way to engage the owner-operators more. And that is a lot of the work that we are focused on this year.” — Alisha Beck [0:38:49]
[16:27] Discover LifeLabTM: The Life You Love LaboratoryTM[16:57] Learn about the Life You Love LaboratoryTM Workshop Series.[36:23] Gain insights on BIGGBY'®s Vision Store program.[42:29] Find out how to take the Life You Love Assessment.
RESOURCES:
Follow Alisha Beck
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FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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‘Having a vocation is like falling in love, and it works out,’ says writer, anarchist, and philosopher, Paul Goodman. Ari Weinzweig holds the title of co-founder and CEO at Zingerman’s, but he is also an anarchist and philosopher. During this episode, he joins us in conversation to tell his story and share the guiding principles behind his life philosophy and business journey. Tune in to hear him challenge perceptions about anarchism and synergy, positive belief in human beings, and what it means not to think hierarchically about your achievements.
Making the distinction between data and culture, Ari unpacks his leadership style and why he believes that building culture is the true work of leadership. Going deeper, we discuss the relationship between belief, company health, and the imperfect art of working with people. We touch on the simple legacy Ari would like to leave behind, how he has managed to go off the grid with his business in order to live his values, and how Ari manages to truly be himself so much so that he is a rebel against expectation. Join us today to hear all this and more.
Guest Bio:
In 1982, Ari Weinzweig and Paul Saginaw founded Zingerman’s Delicatessen in Ann Arbor, Michigan, using a $20,000 bank loan. Weinzweig, equipped with a Russian History degree and four years of kitchen experience, opened the deli with two employees and a small range of specialty foods and sandwiches. Today, Zingerman’s has evolved into a nationally recognized food brand, expanding into the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, which includes 11 distinct entities such as Zingerman’s Bakehouse and ZingTrain, employing over 750 people and generating more than $65 million in annual revenue. Each business operates uniquely, but they all adhere to a shared Vision and Guiding Principles, collectively delivering “The Zingerman’s Experience” with passion and commitment.
Key Points From This Episode:
[02:25] Ari Weinzweig, co-founder and CEO of Zingerman’s and his journey to success.[12:29] How his choice of major, Russian history, illustrates an important principle.[13:54] The story of Zingerman’s as told by the 12 Natural Laws of Business.[20:05] Moving forward and prioritizing growth whilst staying true to their original vision.[23:13] How he has trained himself not to think hierarchically about his success.[26:30] The evolution of his leadership style and relationship to anarchism and synergy.[31:37] A description of the legacy he would like to leave behind.[38:26] Why he believes that building culture is the true work of leadership.[44:56] What motivated Ari to go off the grid with his business endeavors and book publishing.[49:31] An overview of this episode and how Ari lives his business values.
Quotes:
“Do what you want, not what everybody else wants you to do.” — Ari Weinzweig [0:12:51]
“I’ve tried to train myself to appreciate the little things because that’s really all there is.” — Ari Weinzweig [0:23:24]
“[Anarchism] is really about a way of being in the world, not about taking power.” — Ari Weinzweig [0:29:33]
“The thing about dignity is, it’s all free, and we don’t need permission, and we don’t need anyone else to do it, we can just do it.” — Ari Weinzweig [0:31:20]
“All day long, we’re all contributing positively and negatively to the culture and none of us get it right all the time.” — Ari Weinzweig [0:38:59]
[04:46] Read poetry by David Whyte.[06:26] Learn more about anarchist and philosopher Paul Goodman.[14:15] Unpack Zingerman’s 12 Natural Laws of Business.[21:12] Find out about the work of Ruth Benedict. [26:59] Explore Stephen Covey, Peter Drucker, Max De Pree, Robert Greenleaf, and Margaret Wheatley. [26:59] Read Ari’s essay, Jewish Rye Bread. [29:41] Immerse yourself in the work of Howard Ehrlich.[46:22] Unveil Ari’s thoughts on Dignity and Working Through Hard Times.
RESOURCES:
FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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BIGGBY Coffee feels more like a family than a typical franchise. In this live-recorded episode from the BIGGBY Nation Summit, we dive into the power of community in business. Hosts Mike McFall and Laura Eich, joined by a live audience of franchisees and staff, use the BIGGBY brand as a lens to discuss how to foster relationships and culture within a franchise network. They explore the core elements of a successful franchise system and emphasize the importance of authentic relationships for long-term success.
Laura shares her insights on the unique bonds within the BIGGBY community, while Mike opens up about his franchising journey. Together, they discuss the value of attending annual conferences, building strong community ties, and why collaborative decision-making is key to organizational success. The episode wraps up with a Q&A session where Mike and Laura address common challenges faced by franchise owners, offering solutions rooted in mutual support and mentorship. Don’t miss this insightful discussion; tune in now!
Key Points From This Episode:
[01:02] Outline of what to expect from today’s episode in front of a live studio audience. [03:21] BIGGBY Nation Summit and how building relationships leads to business success.[07:35] Laura and Mike talk about their biggest takeaways from this year's summit. [09:41] How to approach the process of decision-making within a franchised business.[10:32] Hear about the progress and impact of BIGGBY's Farm-Direct Coffee program.[13:01] Discover the difference between the importance of self-care and community care.[14:23] Surprise giveaway for our live audience: LifeLab team-building kits.[15:30] Mike and Laura unpack the concept and power of human-centric leadership.[20:05] Tips and recommendations for getting your team excited for networking events.[25:03] Find out what makes the BIGGBY brand and culture different from its competitors.[29:55] Laura shares how BIGGBY has supported her in her new endeavors as a mom.[33:18] Mike explains the idea of fluidity in leadership and provides examples.[37:48] Learn about the benefits of becoming a franchisee and how to get started.Quotes:
“When you are part of a franchise system, or at least part of what I consider to be a healthy franchise system, you've got a whole bunch of people doing the same thing you're doing day in and day out that have a vested interest in your success.” — @MikeJMcFall [0:04:02]
“[BIGGBY is] selling a coffee that improves communities.” — Laura Eich [0:12:18]
“Your organization should start with taking care of people as its basis.” — @MikeJMcFall [0:15:37]
"Aggregate time is important. I get it, but perception to me is more important."— @MikeJMcFall[0:27:16]
RESOURCES:
[00:00]BIGGBY Nation Summit.[05:43] See the International Franchise Association (IFA) for more information.[10:03] The Disney movie Frozen 2 and the song The Next Right Thing.[13:18] Learn more about LifeLab and how it brings people together.[25:03] Other coffee franchises: Scooter's Coffee and 7 Brew.[28:00] Another coffee brand, Dutch Bros.FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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Welcome back to Love in Leadership! In the season two premiere, Laura and Mike dive into how BIGGBY® COFFEE is doubling down on leadership rooted in love and personal growth. They discuss recent shifts, from Mike’s return to a day-to-day focus to Laura’s expanded role that includes leading the BIGGBY COFFEE Operations team as well as the Life You Love Laboratory™, a leadership incubator designed to foster personal and professional development. Reflecting on past challenges, such as integrating external hires with BIGGBY®’s unique culture, they share how these lessons have shaped a stronger, more aligned vision for the company.
Looking ahead, Mike and Laura reveal their plans for the LoveJoy Retreat Center, designed to deepen connections and encourage leadership growth. They also share their vision for the podcast, a restorative, people-first workplace, and an exciting live podcast recording at the 2024 BIGGBY® Nation Summit, plus so much more! Packed with insights on leadership, culture, and leading with heart, this episode is not to be missed!
Key Points From This Episode:
[00:34] Catch up with Mike and Laura: what has changed at BIGGBY® and LifeLab™.[09:45] Lessons for CEOs on integrating external hires with a company’s unique culture.[12:01] Reflections on our recent leadership retreat and why it was so great.[14:32] Grind and Grow: insight into Mike’s book series project and what’s to come.[16:58] Exciting news about the highly anticipated Love Joy Retreat Center.[20:48] A sneak peek of what to expect at the 2024 BIGGBY® Nation Summit![28:06] The vision for Season 2 and beyond of the Love in Leadership podcast.[30:17] What it means to be a restorative organization that develops its employees.[38:19] Why a supportive, people-first workplace isn’t all sunshine and rainbows.[42:02] Your invitation to share the amazing business leaders you want to hear from.Quotes:
“[The new leaders] all brought their understanding of what a culture should be – We didn't powerfully introduce them to our culture – What should have happened was – there should have been an amalgamation of all of that into something new that's even better and more powerful.” — @MikeJMcFall[0:06:26]
“It's so powerful to get people out of their norm, out of their comfort zone, and into a place where you can just be: – be a person, be together, be vulnerable, and be authentic.” — Laura Eich [0:19:51]
“[BIGGBY®’s] differentiator is going to continue to be a people-centric company, where [people are] creating your cup of coffee, greeting you at the window, probably by name, and asking about your kids – That's our biggest difference maker in the world.” — Laura Eich [0:22:09]
“The big fantasy for [this podcast] is that we are able to compel people to be powerful in their own lives and make decisions to work for employers who are supporting them in their development.” — @MikeJMcFall[0:28:36]
“It doesn't have to be that work leaves you worse than it found you. It can leave you better than it found you.” — Laura Eich [0:31:24]
[13:15] Beyond High Performance: What Great Coaches Know About How the Best Get Better[14:32] Grind and Grow by Mike McFall[42:02] Email us about the business leaders you want to hear from on the podcast!
RESOURCES:FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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GUEST BIO:
Ryo Zsun is the culture maestro for the Zappos family of companies, as well as a keynote speaker and thought leader on the power of cultivating healthy workplaces. Everywhere he goes, he shares Zappos’ message of putting people first.
Links
LinkedInCORE TOPICS + DETAILS:
[0:35] - Back to Work (Without the Awkwardness)
Comparing sabbatical and the end of maternity leave
Laura discusses her return to work post-maternity leave, comparing it to her previous experience returning from sabbatical. Despite significant personal changes, including a new baby, she was happy to ease back into the company more smoothly than expected. This underscores the company's supportive culture and flexible work environment, highlighting how a strong people-first culture facilitates easier transitions for employees undergoing significant life changes.
[0:45] - Embracing Shifting Priorities
Leveraging life changes to enrich work and personal life
Laura expresses initial concerns that her shift in priorities towards her child might impact her passion and performance at work. However, her positive experience upon returning illustrates how personal changes can enrich one's professional life rather than detract from it. Embracing life's transitions and harnessing them to bring new perspectives and passion helps lift everybody around you.
[10:00] - Company Culture the Zappos Way
Exploring Zappos’ commitment to service
Ryo shares details about his multifaceted role at Zappos, including his contribution to promoting the company's unique culture and exceptional customer service. The conversation sheds light on how Zappos prioritizes being a service company as the foundation of its business model, emphasizing the importance of each employee's role in fostering this environment. The result? Every team member is an ambassador of the values that define Zappos.
[18:00] - A Journey Through Zappos
Ryo’s journey is quintessential Zappos support
Ryo shares his personal journey at Zappos, starting as a barista and evolving into a role where he now wears multiple hats, including that of a concierge and the company's official tour guide. His story is a testament to Zappos' culture of nurturing employee growth and encouraging exploration of diverse roles within the company.
RESOURCES:
[50:00] Build a Life You LoveFOLLOW:
Follow Ryo:
LinkedInFollow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagramFollow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagramFollow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTMABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s inhouse culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
PRODUCED BY DETROIT PODCAST STUDIOS:
In Detroit, history was made when Barry Gordy opened Motown Records back in 1960. More than just discovering great talent, Gordy built a systematic approach to launching superstars. His rigorous processes, technology, and development methods were the secret sauce behind legendary acts such as The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
As a nod to the past, Detroit Podcast Studios leverages modern versions of Motown’s processes to launch today’s most compelling podcasts. What Motown was to musical artists, Detroit Podcast Studios is to podcast artists today. With over 75 combined years of experience in content development, audio production, music scoring, storytelling, and digital marketing, Detroit Podcast Studios provides full-service development, training, and production capabilities to take podcasts from messy ideas to finely tuned hits.
Here’s to making (podcast) history together.
Learn more at: DetroitPodcastStudios.com
FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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Bridging Visions
Workplaces, parenthood, and the quest for fulfillment
CORE TOPICS + DETAILS:
[1:49] - The Power of Visioning
Looking forward to look backward
Laura shares a personal story about how a visioning exercise led her to reconsider her stance on having children, illustrating how professional tools and exercises can profoundly influence personal life choices. This story highlights the unexpected ways in which professional development activities can spur personal revelations and lead to significant life decisions.
[9:30] - Parenting and the Workplace
How a parent and a manager align
Mike offers his perspective on parenting and workplace culture, including the evolution towards providing growth opportunities and supportive, encouraging environments in both areas. This comparison sheds light on the shift towards nurturing environments more broadly, whether in the context of raising children or fostering employee growth. When you want to be a great leader, ask yourself: what would a parent do?
[24:00] - The Ongoing Challenge of Remote Work
The new norms bring new barriers to overcome
The conversation arrives at the continued complexities and adjustments required in the era of remote work, including balancing workloads and helping employees manage their time effectively without the traditional office environment. Mike and Laura agree that we must acknowledge both the benefits and challenges of remote work, emphasizing the importance of self-care and effective work habits for holistic success.
[41:30] - Companies that Support the Individual
Getting to the heart of “Love in Leadership”
Mike shares his vision for companies to actively engage with employees' aspirations and work together to support their achievement. It’s essential to find a balance between individual responsibility and organizational support, a model where companies take a proactive role in encouraging — and actively developing — employee growth and satisfaction.
RESOURCES:
[55:01] Build a Life You LoveFOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagramFollow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagramFollow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTMABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s inhouse culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
PRODUCED BY DETROIT PODCAST STUDIOS:
In Detroit, history was made when Barry Gordy opened Motown Records back in 1960. More than just discovering great talent, Gordy built a systematic approach to launching superstars. His rigorous processes, technology, and development methods were the secret sauce behind legendary acts such as The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
As a nod to the past, Detroit Podcast Studios leverages modern versions of Motown’s processes to launch today’s most compelling podcasts. What Motown was to musical artists, Detroit Podcast Studios is to podcast artists today. With over 75 combined years of experience in content development, audio production, music scoring, storytelling, and digital marketing, Detroit Podcast Studios provides full-service development, training, and production capabilities to take podcasts from messy ideas to finely tuned hits.
Here’s to making (podcast) history together.
Learn more at: DetroitPodcastStudios.com
FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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Start Running & Keep Running (featuring Caitlin Townsend Lamb)
Discussions on where inspiration meets discipline
GUEST BIO:
Caitlin Townsend Lamb is the Director of People Advancement and Continuous Improvement Systems at Cascade Engineering, where she has dedicated over 14 years to putting people first. Starting her journey as an executive assistant, Caitlin has gone on to play a pivotal role in developing employee engagement methods that have transformed her organization. She’s an incredible example of treating people as the focus of our organizations, not profits.
Links
LinkedInCORE TOPICS + DETAILS:
[1:31] - The Power of Personal Motivation
Internal is Better than External
The team discusses their experiences and insights on the importance of understanding our unique personal motivations. Discovering what drives us is how to determine what will make us feel alive. It pushes us to pursue our goals, and it has a massive impact on our interactions with others. The discussion revolves around the idea that recognizing and nurturing our internal drives is essential for personal growth and fulfillment.
[5:09] - Discipline & Inspiration: Perfect Partners
Creativity and Structure Can Coexist
Caitlin explores the relationship between discipline and inspiration, using her experience with running as a powerful example. She suggests that inspiration can often follow the establishment of discipline, highlighting how committing to a routine, such as a consistent running habit, can lead to a deeper sense of accomplishment and connection to your goals. Too often we expect things to move in the other direction — we wait for inspiration to give us the motivation to act. In fact, it’s often the opposite.
[7:02] - Unlimited Vacation Isn’t for Everyone
Navigating the Structure and Freedom Balance
Who would ever think that an unlimited vacation policy would be a bad thing? A discussion on the unexpected challenges of an unlimited vacation policy reveals the diverse needs and motivations of employees, even when it comes to things you might not anticipate causing challenges. Caitlin recounts a memorable interaction with a team member who thrived on the structure provided by traditional vacation policies, showing how even well-intentioned policies need to be flexible and considerate of individual preferences and work styles. We have to know the people we work with before we can try to serve them.
[17:01] - Getting Proactive About Social Justice
Building an Inclusive Workplace Culture
Caitlin describes Cascade Engineering's longstanding commitment to creating an inclusive workplace by actively engaging in anti-racism work. This involves fostering open dialogues around bias, privilege, and systemic racism, with the aim of continuous learning and improvement. The initiative isn’t a one-off effort or “token” program — it’s an integral part of the company's culture.
RESOURCES:
[1:11:45] Build a Life You LoveFOLLOW:
Follow Caitlin Townsend Lamb:
LinkedInFollow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagramFollow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagramFollow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTMABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s inhouse culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
PRODUCED BY DETROIT PODCAST STUDIOS:
In Detroit, history was made when Barry Gordy opened Motown Records back in 1960. More than just discovering great talent, Gordy built a systematic approach to launching superstars. His rigorous processes, technology, and development methods were the secret sauce behind legendary acts such as The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
As a nod to the past, Detroit Podcast Studios leverages modern versions of Motown’s processes to launch today’s most compelling podcasts. What Motown was to musical artists, Detroit Podcast Studios is to podcast artists today. With over 75 combined years of experience in content development, audio production, music scoring, storytelling, and digital marketing, Detroit Podcast Studios provides full-service development, training, and production capabilities to take podcasts from messy ideas to finely tuned hits.
Here’s to making (podcast) history together.
Learn more at: DetroitPodcastStudios.com
FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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A Mission Beyond Coffee (featuring Jon Sell and Norma Pyscher)
Two franchisees discuss leadership, legacy, and leaning on employees for wisdom
GUEST BIO:
Jon Sell is a seasoned entrepreneur and a passionate advocate for positive workplace culture. With a background as an environmental scientist, Jon transitioned from the corporate world to become a successful franchise owner of BIGGBY® COFFEE.
LinkedIn
Norma Pyscher is an inspirational business leader and co-owner of multiple Biggby Coffee franchises. With roots in nonprofit work, particularly in supporting at-risk youth, Norma has seamlessly integrated her passion for social impact into her entrepreneurial experience.
LinkedIn
CORE TOPICS + DETAILS:
[51:53] - When Change Equals Growth
From previous careers to franchise ownership
Both Jon and Norma come from unique backgrounds before their time as franchisees. Jon was an environmental scientist, while Norma worked in the nonprofit sector. They shared a commitment to meaningful work, which is what attracted them to BIGGBY® COFFEE. Their stories underscore the courage required to pivot into entrepreneurship and fulfillment found in creating positive workplaces. As Jon says, “don’t wait to make a change.”
[32:09] - More than a Workplace
Putting employee growth and wellbeing first
A workplace is not a family. But why can’t it feel like one a bit more often? Jon and Norma emphasized the importance of supporting their employees' growth and well-being, treating their teams like family. They highlighted the significance of providing second chances and fostering an environment where everyone feels valued. This also means setting clear expectations and encouraging personal development.
[59:28] - The Vision of Leadership
Setting new standards for workplace culture
Jon and Norma discussed their commitment to improving workplace culture, not only in their franchises but through their example in the wider corporate landscape. By setting high standards for how employees are treated and engaged with, they hope to be positive influences for other workplaces. It’s not about the bottom line — it’s about being remembered for creating positive work environments and being willing to step up on behalf of employees.
[50:47] - Be Vulnerable First
The power of authenticity in leadership
Norma and Jon discussed the outdated idea that leaders are meant to always appear infallible and all-knowing. Instead, they advocate for a leadership style that embraces vulnerability, encouraging open communication and authenticity within their teams. As we’ve seen time and time again, this approach fosters a deeper connection between employees and management, creating a more cohesive and supportive team dynamic.
[46:47] - When Leaders Learn from Employees
Incorporating employee feedback for lasting success
The importance of listening to employees and incorporating their feedback into business decisions was a key theme, as it always is when it comes to BIGGBY® COFFEE.. Norma and Jon (as well as cohosts Mike and Laura) believe that great ideas can come from any level within the organization and that acknowledging and acting on employee suggestions leads to better business outcomes and a more engaged team. Better people and a better bottom line — what’s better than that?
[1:01:02] - More than Coffee
Envisioning a future in alignment with personal values Both Norma and Jon shared their aspirations for their personal and professional legacies, emphasizing the impact they hope to have beyond the success of their BIGGBY® COFFEE franchises. Norma spoke of her children, of wanting them to inherit a legacy of social and emotional intelligence, coupled with a business acumen that prioritizes people first. Jon expressed a similar thought, hoping his employees would measure future workplaces by the positive experiences they had working for him.
RESOURCES:
[1:10] Live You Love LaboratoryTM[9:01] BIGGBY COFFEE Franchising®FOLLOW:
Follow Jon: LinkedIn
Follow Norma: LinkedIn
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagramFollow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagramFollow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTMABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s inhouse culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
PRODUCED BY DETROIT PODCAST STUDIOS:
In Detroit, history was made when Barry Gordy opened Motown Records back in 1960. More than just discovering great talent, Gordy built a systematic approach to launching superstars. His rigorous processes, technology, and development methods were the secret sauce behind legendary acts such as The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
As a nod to the past, Detroit Podcast Studios leverages modern versions of Motown’s processes to launch today’s most compelling podcasts. What Motown was to musical artists, Detroit Podcast Studios is to podcast artists today. With over 75 combined years of experience in content development, audio production, music scoring, storytelling, and digital marketing, Detroit Podcast Studios provides full-service development, training, and production capabilities to take podcasts from messy ideas to finely tuned hits.
Here’s to making (podcast) history together.
Learn more at: DetroitPodcastStudios.com
FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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HR: Human Revolution (featuring Katrina Ghazarian)
Putting the human back in human resources
GUEST BIO:
Katrina Ghazarian is a dynamic CEO of Gameday HR, known for her innovative approach to human resources and workplace culture. With a background that spans from banking to HR, she brings a unique blend of practical experience and insightful leadership to her role. Katrina is recognized as one of the top HR consultants in the nation, driven by her deep passion for people and commitment to employee success. Katrina advocates for proactive change in corporate America, focusing on holistic development and the power of a positive and inclusive workplace environment.
Links
LinkedInInstagramCORE TOPICS + DETAILS:
[0:30] - Insecurity: From College to the Job Hunt
Flipping the script on the employer-applicant relationship
Mike McFall opens the conversation by discussing his recent interaction with college students. He observes their insecurity regarding employment, noting their perception of employers as all-knowing entities. Mike remarks, "They're so insecure about the process... like the employer is this all-knowing czar." The truth, he says, is much different — employers are often trying to figure things out as they go, and in new employees they’re looking for a partner to help them do it.
[23:55] - There Is No “Traditional” Workweek
Longer hours don’t add up to better performance
Mike and the gang question the conventional 40-60 hour workweek in corporate America, proposing that optimal performance doesn't necessarily correlate with longer hours. He challenges the notion of hard work equating to actual output. We tend to assume that the people who work the hardest make the most impact, but this isn’t always the case.
[33:10] - Flexibility, Autonomy, and Joy
How work life has changed in the last decade
The team highlights how the evolution of workplace flexibility, particularly the shift towards hybrid work environments, has made the professional world much more human-friendly. Katrina emphasizes the importance of adapting to modern work demands, and how the last ten years has seen a monumental shift in flexibility of schedules and the physical places people can work and work from — though there’s still a long way to go.
[42:12] - HR as Human Growth Advocate
Putting the “human” back in “human resources”
Katrina discusses the significance of HR in facilitating not just professional but personal growth of employees. She shares her belief that love in leadership means “accepting everyone for who they are as they are now,” combining this acceptance with the ambition to be a true resource for spiritual growth for every individual at your organization.
[1:00:57] - Busting Stereotypes in HR and Business
How Katrina is helping change the game in HR
Katrina challenges the traditional perceptions and stereotypes in HR and business, particularly regarding women in leadership roles. She advocates for a more inclusive and understanding approach, saying: "You have to be a good person, which means you have got to do a lot of your inner work." This flies in the face of the profits-first, people-second approach of many companies
RESOURCES:
[11:24] Gameday HR[59:52] Loving What Is, by Byron Katie[1:00:57] Women Who Run with the Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola Estés[1:02:06] Letting Go, by David R. HawkinsFollow Katrina Ghazarian:
LinkedInInstagramFollow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagramFollow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagramFollow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTMABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s inhouse culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
PRODUCED BY DETROIT PODCAST STUDIOS:
In Detroit, history was made when Barry Gordy opened Motown Records back in 1960. More than just discovering great talent, Gordy built a systematic approach to launching superstars. His rigorous processes, technology, and development methods were the secret sauce behind legendary acts such as The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
As a nod to the past, Detroit Podcast Studios leverages modern versions of Motown’s processes to launch today’s most compelling podcasts. What Motown was to musical artists, Detroit Podcast Studios is to podcast artists today. With over 75 combined years of experience in content development, audio production, music scoring, storytelling, and digital marketing, Detroit Podcast Studios provides full-service development, training, and production capabilities to take podcasts from messy ideas to finely tuned hits.
Here’s to making (podcast) history together.
Learn more at: DetroitPodcastStudios.com
FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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Words, Actions, and Where They Meet (featuring Alisha Beck, Jeremy DeRuiter, & Brie Roper)
A dive into the principles guiding the Life You Love LaboratoryTM
GUEST BIO:
Alisha Beck, originally from southeast Michigan, has a rich background in people-oriented roles. Starting her career at Dunkin Donuts, she transitioned to BIGGBY® COFFEE where she has held various positions at store and home office levels, including personal development mentoring, culture development, and employee coaching.
LinkedIn
Jeremy DeRuiter’s journey began as a barista at Michigan State University, leading to various roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE. With an initial ambition to become a high school teacher, he found his calling in training and operations within the company. His experience covers a broad spectrum, including training, operations, and marketing. Jeremy is now a key figure in the Life You Love LaboratoryTM, focusing on leadership development and improving workplace culture.
LinkedIn
Brie Roper made her way from a job at TGI Fridays to a significant role at BIGGBY® COFFEE. Beginning as a barista, she moved through various positions including store leadership and business coaching, and now is a part of the home office team. Brie is loved at BIGGBY® COFFEE for her enthusiasm, commitment to positive workplace culture, and her role as a people development mentor.
LinkedIn
CORE TOPICS + DETAILS:
[1:00] - The Power of the Words We Use
Why it’s more than just semantics
One thing that sets BIGGBY® COFFEE apart from some other organizations — and may seem at odds with its unconventional, progressive approach — is its emphasis on using the right language. As Laura says: “It’s really freaking hard to keep language straight within an organization.”
So, why does language matter? Because language shapes culture. The collective understanding and use of specific terms play a crucial role in defining the values and beliefs that underpin the organizational culture.
[13:48] - Empower Individuals, Empower Organizations
Focusing on the one elevates the many
If you want to make your organization more successful, you have to focus on making your people more successful — not as employees, but as human beings. When you develop people from a holistic perspective, helping inspire personal growth, you ultimately enhance workplace culture and create a sense of well-being that leads employees to genuinely love working for your organization.
[48:26] - Engagement: More Than a Buzzword
Why employee engagement should be a top priority for any company
Jeremy brings us back to basics with a simple, unavoidable question: “Are your people engaged, yes or no?”
This might seem like an oversimplification, but the truth is that employee engagement might just be the #1 most effective measurement of success at an organization. Why? Because engaged employees indicate a culture of trust and psychological safety, both critical for a thriving work environment.
[1:10:06] - What We Expect from Our Workplaces
It’s not 1920 — or even 2020 — anymore.
Too many companies are still trying to give their employees what people were asking for a hundred years ago — or even five years ago. But what people want now is flexibility and openness. They want reasonable work arrangements, nurturing environments, open communication, and genuinely fulfilling relationships within their organization.
Great human-centric leaders focus on giving them those things. As Mike says, “I want every employee to walk into work and demand human-centric leadership.” The goal is to transform workplace culture into one where leaders genuinely care for the well-being and development of their team members.
RESOURCES:
[9:21] BIGGBY COFFEE Franchising®[10:11] Live You Love LaboratoryTMFollow Alisha Beck:
LinkedInFollow Jeremy DeRuiter:
LinkedInFollow Brie Roper:
LinkedInFollow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagramFollow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagramFollow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTMABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s inhouse culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
PRODUCED BY DETROIT PODCAST STUDIOS:
In Detroit, history was made when Barry Gordy opened Motown Records back in 1960. More than just discovering great talent, Gordy built a systematic approach to launching superstars. His rigorous processes, technology, and development methods were the secret sauce behind legendary acts such as The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
As a nod to the past, Detroit Podcast Studios leverages modern versions of Motown’s processes to launch today’s most compelling podcasts. What Motown was to musical artists, Detroit Podcast Studios is to podcast artists today. With over 75 combined years of experience in content development, audio production, music scoring, storytelling, and digital marketing, Detroit Podcast Studios provides full-service development, training, and production capabilities to take podcasts from messy ideas to finely tuned hits.
Here’s to making (podcast) history together.
Learn more at: DetroitPodcastStudios.com
FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
-
Reading Between the Lines (featuring Tom Belongia)
A franchise owner shares the simple power of listening
GUEST BIO:
Tom Belongia is an influential franchise owner and area representative for BIGGBY® COFFEE in Wisconsin. His journey from working at Pilot Travel Centers to becoming a key player at BIGGBY® COFFEE showcases his dedication to community-centric business practices. Over 15 years, Tom has significantly expanded BIGGBY® COFFEE’s presence in his state, emphasizing a leadership style rooted in personal growth and empowerment.
Diagnosed with dyslexia as a child, Tom overcame educational challenges with the support of his family and mentors, an experience that deeply influences his approach to nurturing young leaders within his business.
Links:
LinkedInCORE TOPICS + DETAILS:
[29:39] - When Weaknesses are Strengths
From discouragement and frustration to resilience and empathy
Tom opens up about his personal struggles with dyslexia as a child. He recounts how he was discouraged early in life but found strength through supportive teachers and family members, and that now in his role at BIGGBY® COFFEE and beyond he wants to be that influence for others. This experience also shaped his remarkable resilience and informed his empathetic leadership style, teaching him the value of supporting and believing in others' potential — no matter their surface-level weaknesses.
[42:31] - Sometimes Work is Just Work
Tom on finding balance in personal and professional goals
Tom shares insights on how maintaining a healthy balance between professional and personal life is a common concern among his staff. Too often, managers and leaders make the mistake of thinking that managing work-life balance is up to individuals. But when they take a proactive stance on helping them with that balance, employees are inspired to give their best when they are at work. Tom emphasizes the necessity of creating an environment where employees feel valued and can manage their personal needs alongside their professional responsibilities.
[43:21] - Listening Speaks Louder than Words
Want to know what your employees think? Ask them.
Tom recalls the time he asked his employees directly what would make them feel appreciated, no strings attached. They told him in no uncertain terms that they wanted time off. This led to the implementation of a paid time off (PTO) policy that had employees literally applauding. This shows the simple yet powerful significance of listening to employees' needs and how simple acts of understanding can lead to transformative leadership decisions.
[54:16] - Loving the Ones Who Leave
When great people leave, consider it a success
Tom talks about the importance of celebrating employees' growth, even when it leads them away from the company. He believes that supporting employees' career aspirations and life, including when it means they leave the organization, creates a positive work culture and fosters goodwill and community respect. This is what makes this such a wonderful place to work —people who genuinely care about the individuals beyond their value to any bottom line.
RESOURCES:
[8:49] About BIGGBY® COFFEE FranchisingFollow Tom Belongia:
LinkedInFollow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagramFollow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagramFollow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTMABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s inhouse culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
PRODUCED BY DETROIT PODCAST STUDIOS:
In Detroit, history was made when Barry Gordy opened Motown Records back in 1960. More than just discovering great talent, Gordy built a systematic approach to launching superstars. His rigorous processes, technology, and development methods were the secret sauce behind legendary acts such as The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
As a nod to the past, Detroit Podcast Studios leverages modern versions of Motown’s processes to launch today’s most compelling podcasts. What Motown was to musical artists, Detroit Podcast Studios is to podcast artists today. With over 75 combined years of experience in content development, audio production, music scoring, storytelling, and digital marketing, Detroit Podcast Studios provides full-service development, training, and production capabilities to take podcasts from messy ideas to finely tuned hits.
Here’s to making (podcast) history together.
Learn more at: DetroitPodcastStudios.com
FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
-
Don’t Wait for Perfect (featuring Jodi Latuszek)
The best way to end up with a great culture is to start trying
GUEST BIO:
Jodi Latuszek is BIGGBY® COFFEE's Vice President of HR, Legal, and ESG Programming. In her own words, her job is to “help our company support people better.” She’s responsible for ensuring that all of BIGGBY® COFFEE's practices and metrics are good for the environment and people, and that the company is being governed ethically.
Links:
LinkedInCORE TOPICS + DETAILS:
[3:33] - When Leading Gets Complicated
Navigating the transition from individual contributor to manager
The trio discusses the complex journey from being an individual contributor to taking on a managerial or leadership role. It's not just a change in job title — it involves a fundamental shift in responsibilities and mindset. Many people find themselves unprepared for the nuances of managing teams, balancing administrative duties, and the emotional labor that accompanies leadership. Jodi shares that excelling in a previous role doesn't automatically translate to success in leadership, highlighting the need for support and training in this transition and beyond. Leaders don’t just happen — they’re cultivated.
[22:03] - Progressive HR and Employee Freedom
Empower your employees and watch them thrive
Jodi walks the walk when it comes to enacting a progressive approach to HR, advocating for policies that go beyond traditional norms. She shares her focus on empowering employees through autonomy and choice, fostering a workplace culture that respects individual needs and preferences. This approach challenges the conventional top-down, one-size-fits-all policy model, proving that more customized and flexible HR practices can lead to a more dynamic and inclusive workplace.
[31:48] - People First, Employees Second
When people are happy, businesses are successful
The heart of an organization's success lies in the health and happiness of its employees, not just its bottom line. People’s satisfaction at work isn’t only about financial compensation or “perks” — it's about creating an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and psychologically safe. The team agrees that when employees are well-cared-for, they're more engaged, productive, and loyal to their organization, which directly impacts the organization's overall performance and morale. If you want your company to succeed in business, help your people succeed in life.
[33:23] - It All Begins and Ends with Leaders
Accountability and role modeling in leadership roles
A key point is the need for leaders at all levels to not only preach but actually practice the company's core values. Jodi points out a common gap in many organizations where leaders aren’t held accountable for living out these values in a meaningful way. BIGGBY® COFFEE has enacted a culture where leaders are expected to be role models, demonstrating the behaviors and attitudes they expect from their teams. The result? A trustworthy and transparent leadership environment that’s reflected throughout the organization.
[46:50] - What Are Your Values?
Don’t just “be good.” Choose and follow your values.
Mike, Jodi, and Laura agree on the crucial role core values play in defining an organization's culture. These aren't fancy words you put on a website — they’re the guiding principles that should inform every decision, interaction, and strategy within the company. Jodi suggests that when employees understand and resonate with these values, and when they see them reflected in their leaders' actions, it creates a cohesive and authentic culture that drives both employee satisfaction and business success.
RESOURCES:
[12:20] What is ESG?Follow Jodi Latuszek:
LinkedInFollow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagramFollow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagramFollow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTMABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s inhouse culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
PRODUCED BY DETROIT PODCAST STUDIOS:
In Detroit, history was made when Barry Gordy opened Motown Records back in 1960. More than just discovering great talent, Gordy built a systematic approach to launching superstars. His rigorous processes, technology, and development methods were the secret sauce behind legendary acts such as The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
As a nod to the past, Detroit Podcast Studios leverages modern versions of Motown’s processes to launch today’s most compelling podcasts. What Motown was to musical artists, Detroit Podcast Studios is to podcast artists today. With over 75 combined years of experience in content development, audio production, music scoring, storytelling, and digital marketing, Detroit Podcast Studios provides full-service development, training, and production capabilities to take podcasts from messy ideas to finely tuned hits.
Here’s to making (podcast) history together.
Learn more at: DetroitPodcastStudios.com
FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
-
If You Want to Change the World (featuring Nathan Havey)
Nathan Havey on conscious capitalism, leadership caps, and more
GUEST BIO:
Nathan Havey is on a mission to redefine success in the business world. He's also the mastermind who helped transform BIGGBY® COFFEE into a beacon of conscious capitalism. He's since developed a network of over 65 top-tier consultants worldwide through his work with Conscious Capitalism Inc. Nathan's passion for storytelling shines through in his award-winning film, "Beyond Zero," which has been a hit with heavyweights like KKR, UPS, and academic stalwarts like Yale and the University of Michigan, all using it to champion the expanded game of business.
At the Institute for Corporate Transformation, Nathan co-founded, he's the voice behind the hit podcast series "10 Things You Should Know About Stakeholder Capitalism." He's also the brains behind the Intrapreneur Accelerator, a cutting-edge change leadership program. Nathan's also speaker and trainer, collaborating with visionaries worldwide to create a future where business benefits everyone.
Links:
LinkedInCORE TOPICS + DETAILS:
[1:57] - Make a Mess First
Make a mess, then clean it up better
Laura discusses the annual planning phase in businesses, likening it “pulling all the clothes out and dumping them on the ground” when you clean your closet out. This represents the discomfort and uncertainty businesses face during strategic planning, emphasizing the emotional and psychological impacts of business processes. It’s uncomfortable when your company’s dirty laundry is dumped on the ground for all to see — because then it has to be dealt with. But this is the beginning of positive transformation.
[3:07] - Anxiety, Stress, and Leadership
The upside to anxiety
Mike and Nathan discuss how anxiety and stress, often seen as challenges to be overcome in leadership, can actually be critical and productive elements in leadership and business. This conversation shifts the perspective on these emotions, suggesting they can be drivers for success and growth. After all, anxiety and stress are often our brain trying to tell us something — and can even give us the critical energy that makes the process of transformation effective and worthwhile.
[9:08] - When Business is More than Business
If you want to change the world, start with companies
Nathan believes that society undervalues the importance of businesses and corporations in positively impacting society. He talks about expanding the role of business beyond traditional metrics to enhance this social aspect further. When we adopt a more holistic view of business in society, it not only increases the potential for transformation — it also puts positive pressure on corporate leaders to do more than just turn a profit.
[21:49] - Your Culture Doesn’t Stop at the Office
Employees take cultures home
We often think about workplace cultures ending outside the workplace. But research shows that your employees take your workplace culture home with them — and, more importantly, into their communities. Workplace environments significantly influence not only employees' professional growth but also their personal lives and community interactions. By fostering positive workplace cultures that emphasize listening and support, businesses can contribute to healthier societal dynamics, even reducing issues like marital stress and improving overall community well-being.
[47:46] - The Dreaded Leadership Cap
What to do when your leaders reach their potential
Nathan introduces us to the idea of 'leadership caps', suggesting that every leader has a limit to their capabilities. When team members reach this cap, they either leave or disengage, highlighting the need for ongoing growth and development in leadership to prevent stagnation and maintain team motivation. Basically, it means that you can’t simply assume leaders will keep growing and developing simply by doing their jobs.
As Nathan says: "If you don't have structures for you to get served that stuff, then you stop growing."
RESOURCES:
[11:30] Conscious Capitalism, Inc.[12:07] Nathan’s Film: Beyond Zero[8:24] Nathan’s Podcast: 10 Things You Should Know About Stakeholder CapitalismFollow Nathan Havey:
LinkedInFollow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagramFollow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagramFollow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTMABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s inhouse culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
PRODUCED BY DETROIT PODCAST STUDIOS:
In Detroit, history was made when Barry Gordy opened Motown Records back in 1960. More than just discovering great talent, Gordy built a systematic approach to launching superstars. His rigorous processes, technology, and development methods were the secret sauce behind legendary acts such as The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
As a nod to the past, Detroit Podcast Studios leverages modern versions of Motown’s processes to launch today’s most compelling podcasts. What Motown was to musical artists, Detroit Podcast Studios is to podcast artists today. With over 75 combined years of experience in content development, audio production, music scoring, storytelling, and digital marketing, Detroit Podcast Studios provides full-service development, training, and production capabilities to take podcasts from messy ideas to finely tuned hits.
Here’s to making (podcast) history together.
Learn more at: DetroitPodcastStudios.com
FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
-
Welcome to Love in Leadership
Our first episode introduces the themes and mission of this podcast
CORE TOPICS + DETAILS:
[0:39] - BIGGBY® COFFEE and the LifeLabTM
Telling the story of how we got here
At the episode’s start, Laura and Mike dive into a brief history of BIGGBY® COFFEE, LifeLabTM, and the concept of Love in Leadership.
After a handshake agreement with an employer who hired Mike as a barista, the BIGGBY® COFFEE brand was born. As the company has grown, Mike and his partners developed an interest in going beyond just being a company that tried to turn a profit. They wanted to be the best place to work and help create the best people. After a company report showed that they were falling well short of this goal, they realized it was time to make a change.
That’s when they launched LifeLabTM, an internal department at BIGGBY® COFFEE dedicated to supporting the human being behind all of their employees. The principles developed and implemented through LifeLabTM form the basis for much of what will be covered in this podcast.
[15:24] - The Culture You Want and the Culture You Have
When company values become a punchline
The early part of the BIGGBY® COFFEE's story is a cautionary tale that shows how wanting your company to embody certain values doesn’t always mean it will. BIGGBY® COFFEE’s tagline for a time was: “Be happy, have fun, make friends, love people, drink great coffee.”
But after a report showed that the reality was far different — and that people across the company were unhappy, unmotivated, and unsupported — Mike and his team decided the time for change was now. They read the report to the company’s employees, and from that day forward determined to identify their true values and genuinely operate the company based around them.
BIGGBY® COFFEE’s new, simplified Purpose? “We exist to support you in building a life you love.”
[21:30] - Finding the “Why”
Simplifying BIGGBY® COFFEE’s purpose to amplify its impact
Mike discovered that what he and his partners truly wanted was for people to feel empowered to show up to work and be their true, authentic selves. They wanted to support anyone that touched the company in building the life they loved.
Then came the vision. That was where the “why” became the “how.” How are they going to support people? They started with workplace culture. They recognized just how responsible a company is for the wellbeing of the people they employ, particularly considering how big a percentage of their lives they spend in that employment.
[31:32] - The Next Phase
Taking the message global
Today, LifeLabTM and the entirety of BIGGBY® COFFEE's unique approach to company culture is still a work-in-progress. It’s an ongoing experiment. But the purpose of this podcast is to invite the world to participate in that experiment — to see employees as human beings before employees, as whole individuals with needs, desires, values, and goals.
That will be the journey of Love in Leadership, and it starts now.
RESOURCES:
[1:02] BIGGBY® COFFEE[10:26] Upcoming Workshops[12:04] About LifeLabTM[21:30] Take the “Life You Love” AssessmentFollow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagramFollow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagramFollow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTMABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s inhouse culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
PRODUCED BY DETROIT PODCAST STUDIOS:
In Detroit, history was made when Barry Gordy opened Motown Records back in 1960. More than just discovering great talent, Gordy built a systematic approach to launching superstars. His rigorous processes, technology, and development methods were the secret sauce behind legendary acts such as The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
As a nod to the past, Detroit Podcast Studios leverages modern versions of Motown’s processes to launch today’s most compelling podcasts. What Motown was to musical artists, Detroit Podcast Studios is to podcast artists today. With over 75 combined years of experience in content development, audio production, music scoring, storytelling, and digital marketing, Detroit Podcast Studios provides full-service development, training, and production capabilities to take podcasts from messy ideas to finely tuned hits.
Here’s to making (podcast) history together.
Learn more at: DetroitPodcastStudios.com
FOLLOW:
Follow Laura Eich:
LinkedInFacebookInstagram
Follow Mike McFall:
WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram
Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM:
WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM
ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP:
At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast.
Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com
ABOUT THE HOSTS:
Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization.
Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow.
Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
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