Sponsored Content by Columbia Bank:

“As it takes a village to raise a kid, it takes a community to raise a business,” says Lewis Rudd, co-founder and CEO of Ezell's Famous Chicken.

In the premiere episode of Behind the Business by PSBJ, Don Baker, market president and publisher, talks with Rudd about the journey from a single Seattle restaurant in 1984 to an iconic Pacific Northwest brand with 17 locations. Listen as Rudd reflects on the challenges of securing capital, the impact of an unexpected Oprah Winfrey endorsement and the decisions behind the company's franchising strategy.

He also shares how Ezell’s is navigating today’s economic uncertainty, what the company is focused on right now and what being “semi-retired” means after more than four decades in business. Along the way, Rudd shares candid insights on leadership, trusting the people around you and staying true to a company’s values during challenging times.

Growth doesn't happen by itself. It takes vision, commitment and the right financial partner. Columbia Bank brings more resources and more reach, so you can transform your workspace, expand your business or make room for your growing family. With Columbia Bank, every step forward comes with more behind it, so you can grow what matters.