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

🚨 BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS! 🚨

💡 Each episode now ends with my So What? Now What? to help create the insights to actions!

🎉 We’re rebranding to The Business of Joy Podcast!

A business podcast where C-suite leaders and change-makers share real stories and strategies on how joy✨, purpose, and human connection fuel the top line and bottom line.

What better way to start Season 5 with the GOAT of the restaurant industry …. Drumroll please… none other than industry legend Greg Creed! 🙌

Greg is the former CEO of Yum Brands, and in this conversation, he shares lessons he’s collected throughout his time working with powerhouse brands like KFC, Taco Bell, and Unilever!

We dive into all this and so much more:

✅ How his unconventional way of mowing the grass as a kids was foreshadowing of his work style to come

✅ How the most important assets aren’t on the balance sheet - brand value and human capital

✅ Timeless lessons for leaders and aspiring CEOs – do the jobs that people don’t want to do

What world do you want to create? For Bob Dalton, it started with one blanket and a mission to change lives.

This week’s episode features Bob Dalton, CEO/Founder of Sackcloth + Ashes!

Founder stories are everywhere, but Bob Dalton’s stands apart. After seeing his mother experience homelessness firsthand, he identified an issue — that homeless shelters were drastically understocked on blankets — and took it upon himself to make a difference.

His company matches each purchase 1:1 and donates blankets directly to shelters across the country. Talk about making an impact!

In this episode we talk about everything from his (failed) first attempt at sewing the very first prototype, to his latest project, a game-changing social platform called LOCL.

✅ The Young Life mentor who first told him, "You’re already a leader.”

✅ The boss who almost fired him at his first job? Now runs operations for his company.

✅ He built his brand on Instagram… but now says social media is broken.

This was a truly transformational conversation. There is so much to learn from Bob about business, about community, and about truly making the world a better place.

https://www.locl.co/

PS: This marks the finale of Season 4! Season 5 is on the horizon, and I can't wait to share what's next!

"If you work hard on something you don’t care about, it’s called stress. If you work hard on something you love, it’s called passion." – Simon Sinek

That quote, shared by Erica Bardeau, Chief Marketing Officer at Horizon Organic, in the latest episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, stuck with me. Because it’s a question so many professionals (and young people) wrestle with:”How do you find what truly excites you?”

In this episode, Erica and I covered a LOT of ground. Some of my favorite takeaways:

🎯 Careers Are Built in the Zigs and Zags
From babysitting and teaching piano to leading marketing for a major CPG brand, Erica shares how unexpected detours shape meaningful careers—and why saying “yes” to the unexpected matters.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The Parenting Paradox
Social media has turned parenting into a highlight reel, making many feel like they’re failing. How do we reset the narrative and support parents (and kids) in a more honest way?

🚀 Young people need more than just a career path—they need opportunities to discover what comes naturally to them. The skills, interests, and passions they develop early on can shape everything about where they go next. If we want to set up the next generation for success, we need to give them space to explore, experiment, and learn what truly excites them.

🚀 Stop the Scroll: The Marketing Leadership Playbook for Reinvention, Growth & JOY

What separates leaders who stay ahead from those who get left behind? Reinvention. Curiosity. Adaptability. And let’s not forget—JOY.

Becky Johnson, Senior Vice President at the American Heart Association knows this better than anyone.

From radio station receptionist to global marketing leader, she has constantly evolved, learned, and led with impact. But through it all, she finds JOY in being a continuous learner.

💡 Here are 10 takeaways from this week’s episode of Bring More Joy to the Table:

🔹 Curiosity fuels leadership – The best leaders ask more questions than they answer.

🔹 Reinvention isn’t optional – To stay relevant, you must evolve.

🔹 AI is changing marketing forever – But where’s the line between cool and creepy?

🔹 Insights > Assumptions – Baked Lay’s only succeeded when the real audience was understood.

🔹 Communication is a superpower – Leaders don’t just execute; they communicate and connect

🔹 Marketing is about solving problems – Applebee’s Veterans Day campaign started as a local idea and became a national movement….copied by all today

🔹 Purpose-driven work changes everything – When Becky’s husband had heart surgery, her work at the AHA became deeply personal.

🔹 From student to mentor – At some point, we all shift from learning to leading.

🔹 Know your worth – How do you want to be remembered?

🔹 Legacy isn’t just business impact—it’s the people you lift up along the way.

So what? Now what?

In a world changing faster than ever, reinvention is a necessity, not a luxury. And at the heart of reinvention? Finding JOY.

Leaders: Are you embracing curiosity and adapting to change?

Marketers: Are you building relationships or just optimizing algorithms?

Mentors: Who are you helping to grow?

If you think School of Rock just teaches music lessons, think again! 🎸✨

In this episode, I spoke with Stacey Ryan, President of School of Rock!

We just met, yet I absolutely love her passion for leadership, education, and paying it forward!

School of Rock is the WORLDS LARGEST music education brand!

📍 Just under 400 locations open and operating in 17 countries, with 6 more in development

🎸 Approaching 80,000 students worldwide

Students are not just showing up to perform, they are learning how to show up in life!!

🎹The life-changing power of belonging creates a space where kids thrive, build confidence, and find their people.

🥁 The ultimate leadership training from being in a band is about accountability, teamwork, and showing up for others on and off the stage.

She shares so many great insights and perspectives that she's learned throughout her journey. This is one you don't want to miss!

Thanks again Stacey! Congratulations on 10 years at School of Rock!

What business are you really in?

#education #genz #music #inspiration #bringmorejoy