The Positive Effect Podcast | S4 Episode 5 Overview
Join host April Sabral and special guest Ron Thurston—2× best-selling author and workforce strategist—as they explore the role of pride in today’s digital workforce. In this episode, April and Ron dive into how pride shapes employee engagement, impacts the evolving job market, and drives organizational culture in virtual environments. Discussing insights from Ron’s latest book on leadership and team dynamics, they uncover practical strategies for leaders to cultivate a sense of pride among remote and hybrid teams while creating a lasting positive ripple throughout their organizations.
Episode Highlights:
Host & Guest Backgrounds: April Sabral, seasoned leadership coach, introduces Ron Thurston, accomplished author who has helped shape modern workforce practices.
Pride in a Digital Workforce: Explore what it means to foster genuine pride when employees are dispersed—covering remote collaboration, virtual recognition, and maintaining company values online.
Job Market Trends: Ron shares data-driven perspectives on how the digital transformation is reshaping the job market, affecting talent acquisition, retention, and upskilling priorities.
Author Insights & Book Excerpts: Get an inside look at Ron’s writing process and key takeaways from his new book, designed to guide leaders in cultivating engaged, purpose-driven teams.
Building a Positive Ripple: Learn actionable tips for creating a positive ripple effect—sparking cultural momentum that enhances productivity, reduces turnover, and elevates employee satisfaction across all levels.
Whether you’re a manager navigating remote leadership, a talent professional studying workforce trends, or a curious listener seeking inspiration, this episode offers practical advice on building pride and purpose in the digital age. Tune in for thought-provoking dialogue, real-world examples, and expert guidance from two leaders committed to making a lasting positive ripple in today’s job market.
Check out more about Ron @www.ronthurston.com
Join April Sabral as she sits down with Phillip Rosado—successful Author and Salon Owner—to uncover the secrets of building a thriving salon business without sacrificing your personal happiness. In this episode, Phillip shares his journey from penning best-selling books on leadership to creating a boutique salon that prioritizes both profitability and well-being. Discover actionable strategies for:
Salon Owner Success: Learn proven techniques for attracting loyal clients, setting competitive pricing, and optimizing salon operations.
Entrepreneurship in Beauty: Gain insights on how to stand out in a crowded beauty industry, from branding and marketing to mastering social media.
Author’s Perspective: Hear how Phillip’s writing process and published works on personal growth and leadership fuel his salon’s culture and customer experience.
Work-Life Balance: Explore practical tips for protecting your mental health, managing stress, and maintaining energy—so your passion for hairstyling never leads to burnout.
Small Business Growth: Understand key financial planning, hiring best practices, and client-retention methods that drive sustainable revenue.
Whether you’re a seasoned salon owner or dreaming of opening your first beauty studio, this episode delivers expert advice on growing a profitable salon while preserving the joy that inspired you to become an entrepreneur. Tune in for a candid conversation on entrepreneurship, self-care, and crafting a salon legacy that reflects your values and vision.
Buy his BOOK HERE https://amzn.to/4mNBG2U
In this episode of The Positive Effect, I sit down with Lubna Nejjar, a branding expert who has mastered the art of building successful and impactful brands. Lubna shares her secret master tools for crafting brands that not only stand out but also create a lasting ripple effect in their industries.
From her personal journey in business to the transformative work she does with her clients, Lubna unveils why branding is more than just a logo—it’s about strategy, storytelling, and emotional connection. She dives into the core elements of brand success, offering practical insights on how businesses can elevate their identity, build trust, and drive long-term growth.
Whether you're a retail executive, entrepreneur, or business owner, this episode will inspire you to think differently about your brand’s potential. Tune in to discover how a strong brand foundation can amplify your success and why the brands that make the biggest impact are the ones built with purpose.
🎧 Listen now to learn how to craft a brand that truly matters!
You can connect with Lubna @HERE or at www.thelubnanajjar.com
I had the pleasure of interviewing Dana Goldberg, who is an experienced retailer and Founder of the Bungalow Agency.
Dana's career started over three decades ago and has been fueled by passion, skill, and her ability to drive sales through the curation of product placement and creating exciting places for her customers to shop.
This is an interesting and insightful episode where April Sabral Founder of The Positive Effect Transformational Training chats it up with Dana about all things retail.
Follow Dana @thebungalowagency on IG
In this episode, I talk about practical ways to improve employee morale and what most employees want from their boss.
After a few years' break, I am back with a new podcast and a refreshed outlook. I have trained over 5000 leaders in the past five years, and one thing remains the same.
Conversations and how we communicate matter more than ever.
With a new book on the horizon, let's talk about leadership.
Whether you manage a small or more significant team, you are dealing with similar issues, such as how to hire, train, and retain a team that is as passionate about your business as you are.
Learn more at www.aprilsabral.com
This episode was really fun!
Kit has an extensive career as a retail operator, and brings her leadership experience to the show. Learn how to lead, coach and so much more in this episode and if you want to hire her to write, I highly recommend her. Kit has pivoted to a freelance writer and is very passionate about sharing stories and more.
Released in late 2020, Ron Thurston wrote the Amazon #1 best-selling book RETAIL PRIDE as the indispensable guide for every retail employee, manager, and multi-store leader looking to accelerate their potential and grow their career.
It's filled with straightforward, practical tips for developing your talents, connecting with customers, and building your leadership skills.
Based on more than three decades of Ron's leadership experience, you'll discover a sense of belonging in the words of someone who has been your champion for the industry and shares your journey. Ron is an advocate for everything retail, and while on his journey across America, has now developed a passion for nature and taking care of our planet. Listen in to this engaging conversation with Ron and April to learn more about Ron's travels and what he believes we should all be focused on in the next decade of retail.
The impact of Positive Leadership needs to be celebrated and shared; it is the number one driving force of successful companies in my experience.
Andrew Laudato is a passionate Leader with expertise in Retail, Healthcare, Technology, Supply Chain, Digital, e-Commerce, Analytics, Project Management, Portfolio Management, and Agile.
He is currently the Chief Operating Officer at The Vitamin Shoppe and the Author of Fostering Innovation: How to Build an Amazing IT Team.
You can purchase his book here on AMAZON directly.
I met Andrew a year ago at a Retail Networking Event in NY; his energy and passion for leadership and building teams were evident from the moment I met him.
I can't wait to learn more about his book, retail career and leadership methodology, and journey.
This is a conversation you don't want to miss.
Lynn Mione is a seasoned retail leader who enormously impacted the people and businesses she leads. In this interview, Lynn shares her most memorable mentors and what she learned from them. She also shares some wisdom about growing from a Sales Person to a Senior Vice President, who now owns her own consulting practice.
After a couple of decades of leading retail brands and teams, Lynn is now public speaking, coaching, and consulting, taking all of her knowledge of running her own wine bar and building a business to assist others who dream of owning a business.
You can reach Lynn at www.lynnmione.com and by calling her on 516 974 3599.
We enjoyed Lynn's energy and mentorship during this lively, positive discussion with host April Sabral.
Laura Ravo is an amazing Leader, she leads with Grit & Grace and shares the power of humility in this episode of the positive effect. Laura is about to release her first leadership book, I highly recommend you connect with her here on LinkedIn to be notified when it is released. It is an amazing book full of heartfelt stories and shares her story and leadership journey through retail. Laura shares in this episode, that it's not about being right, it's about doing the right thing. This may not always be easy but it is necessary today as we lead through one o what she says the biggest resets in history.
Please hit SUBCRIBE< and SHARE this with someone, along with rating our podcast so that others can find it.
Enjoy this episode, I am sure you will feel enlightened and inspired to do more and be more after hearing Laura's story.
You can also watch it on YOUTUBE here.
Learn more about retailu.ca HERE
This week I will be chatting with Jeffrey P McNulty Founder and CEO of "The Ultimate Retail Course" Jeffrey is considered a "Hybrid" in the business world as he has 30-years’ experience as an Executive Leader for The Home Depot, Lowes, Barnes & Noble, PetSmart, Shopko, Toys R Us, Publix, and Festival Foods, and 16 years of experience as a Retail Analyst.
He is the Founder & CEO of New Retail Ethos, which assists retailers & businesses {regardless of size, scope, or niche} with alleviating and addressing common "Pain Points" through consumer insights, anticipatory intelligence, and retail research.
He has conducted over 1000 consultations/engagements with clients on Wall Street, Hedge Fund Managers, Equity Investment Partners, retailers {niche players to Big Box), business owners, and entrepreneurs in the retail sector throughout my career.
This is going to be a fascinating conversation.
Tag someone and share this with your network, and let's talk retail!
#linkedinlive #career #experience #share #leadershipdevelopement #retail #retailleadership
IN this episode, I chat with Cyndi Coe, the regional director of J.Jill, Cyndi shares her passion and insights about how to be successful in retail leadership.
Cyndi has had an extensive career and worked her way up through the retail leadership ranks.
Earning respect from her teammates, and team, Cyndi is a true reflection of how leaders can make an impact and have a positive effect on those they lead and beyond.
This is a great episode, to learn leadership tips and tricks and why leading with heart is essential in today's turbulent world of retail.
In this episode, I chat with Kevin Finnegan, a well-respected leader in the retail industry. Kevin was pivotal in the growth of Old Navy and worked for companies such as New York & Co, and Anne Taylor as the SVP of stores.
Listen in to Kevin's story and his amazing leadership stories, this will inspire you, and if you like it hit the subscribe button!
In this episode, I chat with Jeremy Brown the former CEO of frank and oak Jeremy is a transformational C-level executive who is known for driving employee engagement, market growth, and financial performance. Jeremy is highly skilled at designing and executing high yield strategies across myriad industry segments that generate revenue, profit, and market leadership. Throughout his career, he has built processes, teams, and financial models, increased online sales for Sephora, NPS at Frank and Oak, along with growing store counts for Bath and Body Works. By blending deep subject matter knowledge, analytical thinking, and his collaborative approach with servant leadership, Jeremy's engaging interpersonal style, and passion for developing others makes him a leader that's a positive effect on the business and people he leads. HIT remind me and get this in your schedule - and as always share with your network. hashtag#leadership hashtag#business hashtag#growth hashtag#sales hashtag#retailu hashtag#linkedinlive hashtag#network hashtag#people hashtag#retailleadership hashtag#retailindustry hashtag#thepositiveeffect hashtag#leader
Fil Farinaccio D'Urbano is the Chief Mindfulness Officer and Head of People and Culture at Ardene and an amazing Leader, always ahead of the curve for culture, people, and initiatives that shape positive environments. As we focus on a new way of leading and caring about our employees, Fil believes there is a better way to create practical programs in your business that create cultures where people thrive. Fil is a leader who exudes mindful leadership; she helps leaders become more conscious of their impact and influence, which is essential. I can't wait to chat with Fil this week on "The Positive Effect" and learn more about creating this in your organization, what she has been up to in the past year, and how she views the future of mindfulness in the workplace.
Get your Wednesday started right with my weekly live broadcast, where I interview leaders who positively affect the business and teams they lead.
This week I am chatting with Mike Fiato Mike, the SVP of Customer Experience at Eurest and an Author of the BOOK called THE EDGE.
I met Mike at the NFR back in 2019 while speaking on a panel. He is an amazing leader and friend of mine.
His book speaks to the effect of positive service, guest experiences, and leadership.
We can all learn from the hospitality business.
Join me for this fun, inspiring conversation!
We launched hospitalityu.ca last year thru COVID to provide affordable and effective leadership development for the industry.
On this week's live broadcast, I am excited to have Traci Wilson join me for an inspired retail leadership conversation.
Traci believes people are influenced by a leader that is authentic, open to listening, and able to recognize success.
Traci has over 15 years of in-store and headquarters strategic and tactical experience. Traci has led teams in all areas of operations, omnichannel, process improvement, merchandising, and communication documentation for brands such as Ulta Beauty, Charming Charlie, and at The Gap for over 22 years.
Join Traci and me for an interesting dynamic conversation about leadership.
This week we are turning the tables.
Liza Amlani will be asking me to share my retail journey and talk about my Book "The Positive Effect, a retail leader's guide to changing the world."
Liza is a retail strategist and the principal and founder of @Retail Strategy Group, a retail consulting firm and Author of The Merchant Life.
When we both get together, it is always a motivating and positive conversation that will inspire you!
In today's changing marketplace, organizations constantly need individuals with leadership skills to give them an edge over their competitors.
Sherri Sanjurjo is an authenticity coach, as well as a leadership development coach and motivational speaker. If this isn't enough, Sherri also heads up the business development at One Voice One Team and is the host and CEO of her own podcast and company. She is a busy lady who is making a HUGE impact in the world.
On this week's live broadcast - we get to talk to Sherri and one of the OVOT/retailu internships, Melissa, who attended the OVOT and retail courses and has since accepted an internship at Ardene.
This is going to be an awesome conversation.
If you work in retail, listen in and see how you can help more youth like Melissa get employment opportunities.
I am so lucky to meet such amazing leaders who are making an impact positively.
This week I am super excited to chat with Garth Voisin, who started his journey in retail but since has gone on to transform lives.
Garth is an inspiring and experienced leader with a passion for growth and personal development.
He aims to Educate, Empower and Encourage others while unleashing their full potential and creating new leaders in the process.
Also, an Author of the book EVOLVE. You can find it on Amazon.