Today’s guest is a big deal and we just couldn't wait until next season to release this interview. He’s the CEO of software company Menlo Innovations and the author of two highly recommended books—Joy Inc., and Chief Joy Officer, and he joins us today to share some of the incredible insights he has gained during his impressive career. From his definition of joy at work and how he has built a very unique professional environment and culture at Menlo to the unusual interview experience at Menlo, our conversation is expansive and detailed, giving you the tools you need to adopt some of the same principles in your own leadership journey. Richard shares how he has cultivated an environment where feedback is welcomed, why he has chosen a transparent remuneration structure at Menlo, how he has set this up, and much more. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation with today’s deeply intentional and revolutionary guest. Thanks for tuning in!

Leadership isn’t a static role. It’s a balancing act. In this heartfelt season finale of Love in Leadership, Laura and Mike reflect on the highs and challenges of leadership, personal growth, and building meaningful connections in business and life. From stories of transformative company retreats to candid reflections on maintaining work-life balance, this episode dives deep into the evolving roles leaders must play to keep organizations thriving. Whether you're leading a team, navigating a personal leadership journey, or simply seeking insight into workplace culture, this episode offers valuable takeaways to carry into the new year and beyond. Be sure to tune in for an inspiring discussion on vision, trust, and the importance of authentic relationships in leadership!

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!

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!

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!

Change is inevitable. As the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus said, “Change is the only constant in life.” Midway through season two of the Love in Leadership podcast, we’ve been reflecting on how organizations inevitably change and evolve over time. Growth seldom emerges from stagnant environments, making it essential for organizations to foster spaces where people can continuously evolve, grow, and thrive. Join Laura and Mike as they delve into the necessity of organizational change and strategies for navigating it, especially for those who value stability and consistency and the role culture plays in shaping a company’s approach to change. They explore the idea that an organization’s culture is the sum of its relationships, examine the different paths to shaping culture, and challenge the notion of whether culture can be forced. Don’t miss this thought-provoking episode. Thanks for tuning in!

Creating a supportive office culture is hard work, but having staff that adores you, even with minimal interaction, requires an extraordinary form of leadership. Ed Buison is one such leader, as he and his wife Eileen have taken it upon themselves to creative inclusive, caring environments wherever they work and are called to lead. In today’s conversation with Ed, we discover why he and his wife gravitated toward BIGGBY®, and why they chose to start a business in a time of financial turmoil. Our conversation then turns to how Ed’s evolution from shy to confident and outgoing serves him in his work today, and how he feels about the BIGGBY® COFFEE Purpose Award that he and Eileen received this year after being voted for by their colleagues. We also learn about how Ed develops his staff into leaders, how he and Eileen cultivate their inspirational office culture, examples of how they support their hardworking staff unconditionally, and how Ed hopes to achieve the biggest goals he’s set for himself.

What separates management from true leadership? In this episode, we explore this question with Rick Loera, a BIGGBY® COFFEE franchise owner, and the 2024 BIGGBY® Cup Winner, who shares his journey from restaurant management to franchise ownership. Reflecting on decades of experience, Rick discusses the core principles that set leaders apart, from creating a supportive work culture to nurturing team growth. He explains how BIGGBY®’s PERC philosophy – emphasizing speed, customer experience, and genuine connection – helps him go beyond managing tasks to empowering his team members to thrive. We also delve into BIGGBY® COFFEE’s broader mission, including its ethical sourcing and commitment to community impact. Rick’s passion for leading with love and purpose is clear as he shares his vision for BIGGBY’s growth in Lorain County and beyond. Tune in to discover how a focus on people, purpose, and positive impact can transform both business and leadership!

What if your workplace could genuinely help you build a life you love? Today, Alisha Beck, People Development Mentor at BIGGBY® COFFEE, shares her journey from barista to mentor, illustrating the transformative impact of the Life You Love Laboratory, also known as LifeLab. Through LifeLab’s workshops, centered on personal growth, financial wellness, and self-discovery, participants are encouraged to align their lives with their values. Discover how blending technical skills with human-centered “soft skills” nurtures a workplace culture that empowers employees to feel valued, confident, and truly connected. In a conversation with hosts Mike McFall and Laura Eich, Alisha delves into the challenges of embedding these principles within a busy franchise setting, noting that LifeLab's influence is still expanding. With programs like Vision Store, BIGGBY® COFFEE aims to make personal development accessible to all team members. Alisha’s wish? For every franchise owner to experience a LifeLab workshop firsthand. Listen in to uncover how BIGGBY® COFFEE is redefining workplace culture, one person at a time!

On this week's episode, join hosts Laura Eich and Mike McFall in a conversation with Ari Weinzweig, founding partner of the Zingerman's Community of Businesses. We dive deep into how Ari's personal guiding philosophies have allowed him to create a workplace well-known for exceptional employee care and service, as well as how visioning keeps their organization aligned to their values each and every day. This is a conversation you don't want to miss!

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.

In this Season 2 premiere, Laura & Mike talk about everything that's changed since the last season ended, as well as new dreams for this season of the Love in Leadership podcast!

In the season finale of "Love in Leadership," Laura and Mike are joined by Ryo Zsun, a visitor from the iconic Zappos family of companies. Ryo shares his unique journey at Zappos, starting as a barista and evolving into roles that have him championing the company's celebrated culture and customer service. Explore how to cultivate an environment where personal growth and professional development are intertwined, and learn the innovative strategies Zappos employs to support and engage its employees. From unique workplace amenities like a nap room aquarium to fostering open communication and transparency during times of change, Ryo offers an inspiring glimpse into the practices that make Zappos special.

In this week’s episode, Laura and Mike explore the power of visioning exercises, the challenges of navigating remote work culture, and the aspirations for a workplace that mirrors the nurturing environment of parenthood. Along the way, they explore the importance of specific feedback and the role of leadership in fostering an environment that not only aims for traditional success but also supports the well-being and development of its people.

In this episode of Love and Leadership, we dive deep with Caitlin Townsend Lamb from Cascade Engineering, exploring the corners of personal motivation, leadership, and the transformative power of understanding what drives us. Caitlin shares her unique insights on everything from the unexpected perks of bad weather and the surprising downsides of unlimited vacation, to the importance of creating an inclusive workplace that actively tackles anti-racism.

This week on Love in Leadership, we’re joined by two BIGGBY® COFFEE franchise owners with unique backgrounds. They chat with us about creating a workplace culture that encourages growth, the power of authenticity, and the sometimes-controversial word “family” when applied to work colleagues. They also explore times when they’ve learned from their employees, plus the power of envisioning a better future. It’s an inspiring week on Love in Leadership, one you won’t want to miss..

In this week’s episode of Love in Leadership, we’re joined by the wonderful Katrina Ghazarian, CEO of Gameday HR. We cover everything from flexible work environments and the changing landscape of corporate America to passion, spiritual growth in the workplace, and the importance of being proactive when it comes to improving workplace environments. And — as usual — our discussion centers around love and respect for the individual.

In this week’s episode of Love in Leadership, we’re joined by three superstars in the Life You Love LaboratoryTM team at BIGGBY® COFFEE. Join us as we talk about why the language we use in our organizations matters, what it means to be a mentor, and how fostering healthy workplace culture is everyone’s responsibility.

Tom Belongia is a leader who embodies the essence of passion and dedication in his approach to business and life. This week on Love in Leadership, we explore Tom's inspiring journey, from overcoming personal challenges to becoming a transformative figure in his community. We’ll get candid on the importance of human-centric leadership, the power of passion, and the art of creating a legacy through positive influence.

In this episode of the "Love and Leadership Podcast," Laura and Mike are joined by the spirited and pun-loving Jodi Latuszek, Vice President of HR, Legal, and ESG Programming at BIGGBY® COFFEE. Together they dive deep into the complexities and joys of leadership, tackling the often underappreciated challenges that come with transitioning from individual contributors to managers, emphasizing the crucial role of employee well-being and engagement in an organization's success, and a whole lot more. You don’t want to miss this.