CFO Michelle Hook of Portillo’s joins me to talk about the ingredients behind one of the most craveable brands in the business!

From her first paper route at 13 to overseeing finance, IT, and supply chain for a $9M-AUV powerhouse, Michelle shares so many great insights and leadership lessons.

In this episode:

📰 How coin rolls, customer notes, and rainy-day tips shaped her leadership style

🍕 What Domino’s taught her about technology, timing, and transformation

🎓 Why she went back for her MBA, and what changed because of it

🥤 Chocolate cake shakes and all the moments that make up Portillo’s crave-worthy culture

📈 How Portillo’s is growing fast, even though just 1% of revenue is spent on marketing

The big takeaway from the episode? You don’t need a big budget to create big moments that matter!

John Summit x Portillo's: https://www.instagram.com/johnsummit/p/DA8l6r0uzCB/?hl=en&img_index=1

#Portillos #BusinessOfJoy #Technology #Finance #LeadershipLessons

🌟 NEW PODCAST EPISODE 🌟

I had the absolute joy of sitting down with Danny Klein, VP Editorial Director at WTWH Media (QSR, FSR Magazines), for a conversation that I can't stop thinking about.

We covered so much ground:

💡 How a “breathless” review turned into a rallying cry for differentiation

🤝 Why building a community beats chasing clicks

🛡️ Why authenticity is a business superpower

🎤 And how sometimes, true leadership is handing the mic to others and cheering them on

The conversation is a great reminder that leadership isn't about a title. It’s about taking care of the people who put their trust in you.

There’s so much wisdom packed into this episode, along with a few heartwarming stories about dogs, dads, and daring to try 🐾💛

#BusinessOfJoy #Leadership #Community #Innovation #Authenticity #Podcast

Brand reinvention is about so much more than products! Sharon Price John is the CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, but she's also a storyteller, an innovator, and an empathetic leader who knows how to build real connection.

Sharon’s journey spans Barbie, Mattel, Hasbro, and now Build-A-Bear — but what ties it all together is how she leads: with purpose, clarity, and compassion.

In this conversation, we covered:

🧸 How Build-A-Bear evolved into a multigenerational brand with 40% of sales from teens and adults

🎓 What the toy industry can teach all of us about innovation, speed, and reinvention

📦 An amazing “box of love” story that will melt your heart (and change how you think about leadership)

📕 Get Sharon’s book, Stories & Heart: https://www.amazon.com/Stories-Heart-Unlock-Personal-Create/dp/1950863441

#leadership #brandstrategy #innovation #thebusinessofjoy

#buildabear #retail