Building Unbreakable Brands

In today's episode, hosts Meghan Lynch and Henry Lynch sit down with Andrew Morgans, an expert in e-commerce and founder of the full-service Amazon agency, Marknology. Andrew shares invaluable insights on the importance of setting clear, achievable goals for both personal and professional success. He draws parallels between tailored fitness plans and customized business strategies, emphasizing the need for generational brands to define objectives and track progress effectively. Andrew discusses the common pitfalls businesses face, particularly legacy brands transitioning to e-commerce platforms like Amazon, and how rekindling an entrepreneurial spirit can lead to successful digital transformations and build important skills that help brands endure.We'll explore how Andrew's family-oriented business approach has helped overcome challenges, the significance of gap analysis in building strong e-commerce teams, and the importance of maintaining strong customer relationships in the digital marketplace. Plus, Henry talks to Drew about the fun and rewards of selling products online. Get ready for a deep dive into the world of e-commerce, brand building, and the generational journey of maintaining a thriving business. Learn more about Marknology https://www.marknology.com/ Follow Drew on Instagram: @andrewmorgansConnect with Drew on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amorgans/Building Unbreakable Brands is hosted by Meghan LynchProduced by Six-Point Creative

Welcome to Building Unbreakable Brands, the podcast for business leaders with a generational mindset, hosted by Meghan Lynch. Meghan, a brand strategist and advisor to generational family businesses, interviews the stewards of enduring brands to uncover what makes the difference between fleeting success and a lasting legacy.In this episode, Meghan welcomes Matt Nielsen, a fifth-generation steward of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas. Matt sees his role as a caretaker of the family business, ensuring its prosperity not only for the current generation but for future ones as well. They delve into the importance of stewardship versus ownership, emphasizing the long-term care and sustainability of the business, and a "6th generation" mindset and strategy.Matt shares how Nielsen-Massey has implemented unique governance structures, such as an independent board of directors and a non-family CEO, to bring in external perspectives and challenge the status quo. This approach helps the company avoid complacency and maintain a dynamic, forward-thinking strategy. He also discusses the critical lesson of articulating a distinct shareholder vision that aligns yet remains separate from the corporate vision.The conversation touches on diversifying beyond a reliance on vanilla while maintaining strategic guardrails on diversification efforts. Matt talks about learning from other family businesses and his interest in creating a structured program for onboarding the next generation.In a special segment, Meghan's son Henry asks Matt about working with siblings in the business... and about his favorite recipes to highlight vanilla!Tune in to hear Matt's insights on stewardship, governance, professionalization, diversification, and preparing the next generation.Key Points Discussed:The distinction between stewardship and ownership in a family business.The benefits of an independent board and non-family CEO in bringing fresh perspectives.Articulating a distinct shareholder vision separate from the corporate vision.Strategies for diversification while maintaining focus.The importance of learning from other family businesses and developing next-generation leaders.The dynamics of working with siblings.Learn more about Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Follow on Instagram: @nielsenmasseyWatch on YouTube: @NielsenMasseyConnect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattnielsen/Building Unbreakable Brands is hosted by Meghan LynchProduced by Six-Point Creative

In this episode of Building Unbreakable Brands, host Meghan Lynch, brand strategist and advisor to generational family businesses, interviews Ruth Lund, co-founder and CEO of True North Culture Advisors. Ruth, who also serves as a Vistage Chair for a leading CEO peer group in the Greater Boston area, brings a wealth of experience in working with companies that have a generational mindset.Ruth and Meghan delve into the importance of cultivating a strong company culture that can endure and thrive across generations. Ruth emphasizes that companies with a long-term vision are already planning for the next 20, 30, and even 50 years. She discusses how culture is shaped by leaders and the critical role future generations play in preventing leaders from becoming too protective and siloed.Ruth shares insights on how True North Culture Advisors helps companies measure and improve their culture by assessing the alignment between values, experiences, and desires through comprehensive surveys. This data-driven approach promotes accountability and targeted improvements. One notable client example highlights how a company demonstrated cultural resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic after re-evaluating and strengthening their cultural alignment.Additionally, Ruth discusses the benefits of CEO peer groups, such as those offered by Vistage, in supporting cultural health and generational planning. Tune in to learn how a strong, future-focused culture can make the difference between fleeting success and a lasting legacy.Key points discussed:• The role of leaders and future generations in shaping a resilient company culture.• The process of assessing and improving cultural alignment through surveys.• Real-world examples of cultural resilience and improvement.• The importance of generational planning and CEO peer groups in maintaining cultural health.Learn more about True North Culture AdvisorsConnect with Ruth on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rutholund/Building Unbreakable Brands is hosted by Meghan LynchProduced by Six-Point Creative

In this episode of Building Unbreakable Brands, Meghan Lynch sits down with Diana Fitzpatrick, attorney, runner, and board president of the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, the world's oldest 100-mile trail race. Since its inception in 1974, the Western States 100 has become one of the ultimate tests of endurance, embodying a rich history and a deep-rooted culture of community and volunteerism.Diana provides an in-depth look at her role as board president and shares the fascinating history of the race, which started when Gordy Ainsleigh ran the trail of the Tevis Cup horse race on foot. She explains how the race has evolved into a nonprofit organization and discusses the operational aspects, including the stringent lottery system that selects 369 participants from over 8,000 applicants each year due to federal wilderness area regulations.Meghan and Diana explore the importance of tradition within the Western States 100, from the in-person registration and pre-race meeting to the emphasis on honoring all finishers, regardless of their placement. They also discuss the proactive steps taken by the board, such as implementing a transgender policy to ensure inclusivity. Diana highlights the enduring culture of volunteering that spans generations of families, emphasizing the community spirit that is crucial to the event's success.Key Points Discussed:• The history and evolution of the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run.• Operational details, including the participant lottery system and federal regulations.• The race's traditions and the importance of honoring all participants.• The proactive creation of a transgender policy by the board.• The culture of volunteering and community involvement that supports the race.• Before wrapping up, Diana turns the mic over to the next generation, underscoring the event's commitment to future endurance athletes and community leaders.Learn more about the Western States 100 Mile Endurance RunFollow Diana on Instagram: @dianafitz11Building Unbreakable Brands is hosted by Meghan LynchProduced by Six-Point Creative

In this episode of Building Unbreakable Brands, Meghan Lynch speaks with Valonda Banks, a seasoned hiring practitioner with nearly 30 years of experience and the founder of Liberty Employment Solutions. Valonda’s expertise lies in employer branding, hiring strategy, and organizational development, making her a vital resource for generational business leaders looking to attract and retain the best talent.During their conversation, Meghan and Valonda delve into the intricacies of building strong employer brands and navigating people problems, which can undermine even the most robust brands. Valonda explains how Liberty Employment Solutions helps businesses attract and retain talent by understanding and effectively communicating their company culture. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity over innovation in employer branding and provides tangible examples, such as highlighting schedule flexibility, to differentiate her clients' brands in a competitive job market.Tune in to learn how Valonda’s approach to hiring and employer branding can transform your business, ensuring you have the right people in the right seats to build an unbreakable brand.Key points discussed:The significance of company culture in attracting the right talent.How to communicate cultural differentiators to prospective employees.The critical role of authenticity in employer branding.Real-life examples of successful employer branding strategies implemented by Liberty Employment Solutions.Learn more about Liberty Employment Solutions, info@libertyesolutions.comConnect with Valonda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valonda-banksles/Building Unbreakable Brands is hosted by Meghan LynchProduced by Six-Point Creative

Join Meghan Lynch on Building Unbreakable Brands as she engages in a captivatingconversation with Ira Bryck, a former fourth-generation clothing business owner turnedfamily business educator and advisor.With over 25 years of firsthand experience in running his family's business and nowcoaching business leaders, Ira shares his unique insights on navigating generationalbrands.In this episode, Meghan and Ira explore the importance of asking the right questions touncover transformative insights, emphasizing the power of strategic questioning as both anart and a science. They delve into Ira's creative approach, including his innovative use ofroleplaying and the development of three plays as learning tools for family businesses toaddress complex emotional challenges.Tune in as they discuss Ira's journey from the shop floor to executive coaching and theevolution of family businesses in today's dynamic landscape.You can check out Ira's work, tools, and blog at irabryck.comConnect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irabryck/Building Unbreakable Brands is hosted by Meghan LynchProduced by Six-Point Creative

Welcome to Building Unbreakable Brands, where Meghan Lynch, a seasoned brand strategist and advisor to generational family businesses, engages in insightful conversations with the stewards of enduring brands. Today, Meghan sits down with Katie Rucker, co-owner and president of MacKenzie, a second-generation consumer insights research firm. Katie, alongside her twin sister Jenny, also co-founded the Next Generation Collaborative, a platform dedicated to empowering next-generation leaders to shape their legacies. In this episode, Meghan and Katie explore MacKenzie's journey to maintaining relevance amidst evolving markets over the last 39 years. They delve into the foundational elements instilled by Katie's father that have propelled MacKenzie beyond startup stages, ensuring its generational impact. Tune in as they discuss strategies for sustainability and Katie's passion for awakening potential in others through the Next Generation Collaborative.Katie Rucker shares, "LinkedIn is where I'm most active almost every day. Mackenzie Corp. and Next Gen Collaborative are our two websites. I'd love to connect, share ideas, and collaborate on something awesome."Katie's interview on FamilyBusiness.Org on the connection between philanthropy and leadership: https://familybusiness.org/content/help-your-family-business-by-helping-othersConnect with Katie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katierucker/

In this episode, we talk with Avi Siegel, the dynamic CEO of Vital Signs, who entered a family business that his mother-in-law founded as an administrative assistant, but she had ideas that he would become her succession plan. Avi's story exudes passion and unwavering dedication, as he built legitimacy along with the growing company an industry that could easily consider him an outsider. We learn how Avi fell in love with ASL, and made it his own mission to continue his mother-in-law's legacy to increase accessibility for the Deaf community and people who are heard of hearing.Like every generational family business, at Vital Signs, there has been a push and pull between tradition and innovation. Avi opens up about the complexities of transitioning leadership in Vital Signs, where ethics are prized above profit. He shares the art of aligning interpreters with assignments that resonate with their expertise, cultivating trust and value in every client interaction. Avi discusses his venture into consulting, seeking to amplify his impact by aiding others in sales and client acquisition. The finale of our episode brings a delightful twist as we hear from Avi's son Pace and Meghan's son, Henry. Henry interviews Pace to learn whether he might be a third generation leader of Vital Signs, and what the most challenging parts of spending time in a family business might be. (It's not what you might think!) Henry and Pace's conversation reminds us that the legacy of family enterprise is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.Learn more about ASL interpretation and transcription from Vital SignsConnect with Avi Siegel on LinkedIn

Growing up, Sally Ekus had a unique childhood—one that simmered with the legacy of culinary media. Yet, when it came time to take over the family business, she found herself navigating a path she hadn't originally planned to follow. In our conversation with Sally, she shares her personal story of transition, revealing how she embraced leadership and infused the company with a vision for the future. We discuss the blend of tradition and innovation, how the Ekus Group has stayed true to its roots in a rapidly changing media landscape, and the essential ingredients for maintaining a brand deeply connected to the culinary arts.Mentorship is often the hidden spice in the recipe for successful succession planning. Sally's tale is no exception, as she recounts the invaluable lessons and guidance from the founder of the Ekus Group, her mother, Lisa, which paved the way for a smooth changeover. We uncover the tactics that made this transition seamless, including the early inclusion in business operations and a clear, open dialogue that gave both clients and Sally confidence during the shift in leadership. The art of passing the torch within a family business is both art and science, and our discussion with Sally offers an insider look at this process, peppered with personal anecdotes and advice for other next gens.As the episode progresses, we turn the page to the subject of legacy and how strategic decisions in book publishing can reinforce a brand's identity. Sally and Meghan discuss the importance of choosing the right book projects, the role of literary agents with a keen publicist's eye, and the recent merger with JVNLA that promises to enrich the company's literary legacy. Whether discussing favorite reads or how books can build unbreakable brands, Sally's insights provide a rich perspective on the importance of storytelling in the world of business. Tune in for an episode that combines the flavors of family, leadership, and evolution in the business of culinary media.Sally's book recommendation: Pretend Soup by Molly KatzenGet in touch with Sally:sally@ekusgroup.comInstagram: @sallyekusThe Ekus Group Building Unbreakable Brands is hosted by Meghan LynchProduced by Six-Point Creative

When Andrea Bordenca took the reigns of her parents' medical equipment repair business decades ago, she assumed that she needed to be the same kind of leader they were, with the same style and structure. She never expected doing so would hurt her relationships and undermine her legitimacy with her team. Now Andrea has embraced her own unique leadership style as CEO of DESCO, and helps other women and nonbinary leaders do the same as an executive coach. She joins Building Unbreakable Brands to talk with Meghan about her journey as a second-generation leader, and share the wisdom she has gained along the way. She provides some tips to be more in tune with the messages our body is sending us, including some great ideas on how to overcome anxiety about speaking in front of groups. She also answers Henry's questions about how DESCO has changed over the decades, and how to deal with bullies in the workplace. Andrea's book recommendation: The Creative ACT: A Way of Being by Rick RubinGet in touch with Andrea:AndreaBordenca.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/andreabordenca/https://www.instagram.com/andreabordenca/Building Unbreakable Brands is hosted by Meghan LynchProduced by Six-Point Creative