Pursuing your future doesn’t end at 40, in fact, it may mark the beginning of knowing who you are, what you’re capable of and what you really want. But knowing what’s next and how to get there can be a challenge—especially when old narratives play on repeat. I’ve come to believe that the best way to understand your possibilities is in hearing from others—what they have done and how they have done it.LIBERTY ROAD is here to share stories so that you can consider your possibilities, pursue your purpose and move into your future with intention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Pursuing your future doesn’t end at 40, in fact, it may mark the beginning of knowing who you are, what you’re capable of and what you really want. But knowing what’s next and how to get there can be a challenge—especially when old narratives play on repeat. I’ve come to believe that the best way to understand your possibilities is in hearing from others—what they have done and how they have done it.LIBERTY ROAD is here to share stories so that you can consider your possibilities, pursue your purpose and move into your future with intention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
134. From Co-Founding Mendocino Farms to Becoming a Champion of Female Founders: Ellen Chen
LIBERTY ROAD with Nada Jones
42 minutes
5 months ago
134. From Co-Founding Mendocino Farms to Becoming a Champion of Female Founders: Ellen Chen
Since stepping down from the “day to day” of running Mendocino Farms, a premium fast-casual gourmet sandwich and salad concept that she co-founded in 2005, Ellen Chen has focused her time, energy, and passion on investing in female and minority-founded businesses. Ellen is leveraging her twenty years of experience growing food brands to help early-stage founders understand their purpose, operationalize their values, secure the necessary resources, and hopefully avoid some of the mistakes she made.
In 2015, Nation’s Restaurant News included her on their annual Power List, and in 2020, Nation’s Restaurant News named her the 50 most influential women in food service. She sits on the Boards of Directors of Mendocino Farms, Sugared + Bronzed, and HomeState, as well as an Advisor to Curbit, Womaness, Kirra, and Vibrant Funds. Ellen strongly believes in giving back to her community. She serves as a Board Member of Teach AAPI and AAPI LA, an initiative launched by the Mayor’s office in Los Angeles.
In today’s episode, Nada sits down with Ellen to discuss the success of “Mendo” and their 75 locations. Ellen explains how her vision of creating a team culture served as the foundation on which she and her husband, Mario, built their thriving business. They discuss the challenges of managing busy schedules and the strategic decisions she made as a working mother. Ellen also shares some of the challenges she faced by not having the type of support she needed and now offers to female founders.
To find out more about Mendocino Farms, check out their website. Follow on Instagram: @ell.c.chen.
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LIBERTY ROAD with Nada Jones
Pursuing your future doesn’t end at 40, in fact, it may mark the beginning of knowing who you are, what you’re capable of and what you really want. But knowing what’s next and how to get there can be a challenge—especially when old narratives play on repeat. I’ve come to believe that the best way to understand your possibilities is in hearing from others—what they have done and how they have done it.LIBERTY ROAD is here to share stories so that you can consider your possibilities, pursue your purpose and move into your future with intention. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
