The Business of Joy

“That’s a really good question…” when I hear this during my podcast, it really brings me joy and reminds me why I LOVE doing these!Kelli Valade, President and CEO of Women's Foodservice Forum, and I go off-script on this one. That’s when the magic happens, and what comes out of those moments is what makes it worth your time to watch and listen in!A few things you’ll walk away with: 🎙️ Why most people don’t lack ambition… they lack awareness of what’s possible for them 🎙️ Why asking “where do you want to be in 5 years?” isn’t helpful 🎙️ What it actually takes to build confidence in someone (hint: it doesn’t start with them) 🎙️ The hidden costs leaders miss because they aren’t visible on the P&L 🎙️ Where we got innovation right… and where we didn’t 🎙️ Why “being seen” might be the most underutilized leadership tool right now If you lead people, develop talent, or just want to think a little differently about what leadership actually requires today… this episode is worth a listen!

There’s a misconception that restaurant brands are built by big ideas, big campaigns, or the next big menu innovation.But the truth is much simpler and much harder. Restaurants don’t succeed because of one big home-run moment. They succeed because of thousands of tiny ones.In this episode of The Business of Joy, Lisa Miller sits down with Robin Blanchette, Founder and CEO of Norton Creative, to explore what really drives restaurant growth. Robin shares why brands can “die by a thousand cuts” or be built by thousands of touch points, and how the smallest decisions, like menu design, guest experience, messaging, and leadership, can quietly transform a business.She reflects on the early jobs that shaped her leadership, the hardest moment of her career during COVID, and what it truly means to show up for people, whether you’re leading a team, serving a guest, or advising a brand. In this episode, we discuss:• Why the menu is the most powerful marketing tool in a restaurant• The hidden role great consultants play behind the scenes• The balance between art and science in restaurant marketing (shoutout Melissa)• Why “showing up” might be the most underrated leadership skillGreat businesses, like great relationships, aren’t built all at once. They’re built one joyful moment at a time!

This is NOT OK: If a child is not reading on grade level by 3rd grade, they are 4x LESS LIKELY to graduate high school, and if living in poverty, 13x LESS LIKELY!Carol Goglia, CEO of Catch Up & Read is focused on one of America’s most urgent challenges: early literacy. She has spent her career turning strategy into impact, from her early days at Frito-Lay to leading one of the country’s most powerful giving movements at Communities Foundation/North Texas Giving Day.In this episode, Carol shares this idea of joy as a catalyst for learning and retention. From the “joyful results clubs” that make kids ask, “Is it Catch Up & Read day?” to lessons corporate leaders can borrow from the nonprofit world, this conversation is a powerful reminder that sometimes the biggest business signals start in the smallest moments.If you care about the future talent pipeline, team development, or the long game of leadership, I think this will resonate!

What happens when you get really good at performing joy…but realize you’re not actually living it? We reward performance in business. The ability to “turn it on.” It’s the drive, charisma and energy that fuels us. But what if the skills that build our success disconnect us from ourselves? Chadwick Boyd grew up in a farming community and has spent nearly 30 years shaping how America experiences food. You might have seen him on the Today Show or many Food Network Shows. He realized in 2019 that had given so much of himself, that joy was hard to find. Then, in 2022, a life changing injury forced a reset. It wasn’t just physical, but entirely how he saw himself. Everything stopped. And in that stillness, he realized that presence, not performance, is what sustains people and brands over time. Today, Chadwick consults with brands to help them reconnect with their brand soul and their stakeholders and customers. If you lead teams, build brands, or feel the pressure to always be “on,” I think you will really enjoy this one.

The restaurant industry is under pressure: rising costs, labor challenges, tighter margins, and more data than ever before. But what if some of the tools meant to help are stripping away what matters most?JOYIn this episode of The Business of Joy, Lisa W. Miller sits down with restaurant industry leader Melissa Doolin Koehne to explore the tension operators are facing right now: how to protect culture, people, and purpose while navigating an unforgiving business environment.Melissa brings decades of experience - from her early days at Carl’s Jr to leadership roles at Black Box Intelligence, launching her own company Elevate 4, and serving as Chairman of the Board for the Texas Restaurant Foundation.Together, they dig into: • How cost-cutting can unintentionally erode brand soul • Why “back to basics” may not be enough anymore • The role of data - when it helps and when it hurts • Why youth should be viewed as the future pipeline, not a labor problem • What truly drives retention, confidence, and long-term leadership in restaurantsThis is a candid conversation for operators, executives, and anyone thinking about the future of hospitality.

THIS podcast conversation is one you won’t forget!I met Arshay in 2019 through my rowing team. He is an entrepreneur and speaker who shares his message around the world. His full-length documentary, A Most Beautiful Thing, tells the story of growing up on the West Side of Chicago and how rowing and an entrepreneurship class changed his life. Since it debuted in March of 2020, it’s been a joy to watch all his success!5 years later, he has a second book titled Let Me Be Real with You, which hit #1 on the USA Today best seller list, and he founded a non-profit organization to introduce rowing to youth!We dove deep into stories he doesn’t often share - the gift of his entrepreneur class, how his culinary degree shaped his future, and the power of hope. Rowing introduced him to teamwork, peace, belonging, and the chance to reinvent his future. This is a story about resilience, leadership, and the hope we give and receive.

For Toni Ronayne, her journey started as a 13-year-old coat check girl… staying up late, learning the value of tips, hospitality, and connection long before she ever stepped into the C-suite.Today, Toni is the Founder & CEO of The C Society, and her story is one of courage, reinvention, and leading with authenticity in an industry that’s changing faster than ever.A few of my favorite insights about Toni’s story: 💡Her superpower: being an “accidental executive” 💡Why restaurants are her true calling 💡The loneliness no one talks about when the title goes away (that is so real!)💡How to scale without losing your soul💡The win/win opportunity for fractional leadersOne of my favorite moments was when Toni said: “At the end of the day, I want people to say I lived my life true to who I am.”Authenticity as a legacy! WOW! It is so fitting!If you’re a leader navigating change, a brand builder, or an executive rethinking what’s next in your career… you’ll want to dive into this one 🔥

“I’m going to need some tissues. It’s a difficult story… but a beautiful one… because we can turn darkness into light.” -NASA’s Michael CiannilliSeason 7 launches today! 🎙 Big news coming tomorrow too! Hint: It’s a space (pun intended 😉) to spotlight every guest, every story, and every spark of joy we uncover together.This premiere is one of the most meaningful conversations I’ve ever had. It’s a journey from heartbreak to hope with a 30-year NASA veteran who helped lead the recovery of Columbia and turned tragedy into purpose.After we recorded, Mike said something that reminded me why I love doing these: “I really enjoyed our discussion, Lisa. I must say once again, you’re a fantastic host who really brings out the person in the interview.”Michael’s career took him from engineering and test directing rockets to leading NASA’s Apollo, Challenger, Columbia Lessons Learned program.Here are some of the stories you’ll hear in this episode: 🚀 How 10-year-old Mike’s make-ready weekends shaped a lifetime of agility and craftsmanship 🚀 The 5½-year detour before joining NASA, and the perseverance that defined him 🚀 What it means to teach the “why” behind failure, not just the “what” 🚀 How the same human lessons apply whether you’re launching rockets, running a business, or leading teamsThat’s the heart of The Business of Joy: getting to the human side of every story. Behind every title, every mission, every milestone, there’s a person finding light after darkness. 🎧 Now streaming! Get the tissues ready!

From growing up in her family’s Black-owned grocery store in Memphis to leading major brands across CPG, nonprofits, and higher ed… this is a story of grace, grit, and growth!This was fun to sit down with my good friend, Dorothy Jones, Chief Marketing Office, to talk about the moments and lessons that shaped her life and career!We talked about: 🛒 Early jobs that build confidence 💪 Resilience learned from her trailblazing mom Service and Community Are Foundational (FIX SPACING) 🧘‍♀️The power of being still 💡 and how Curiosity Is a Superpower!

Joy, soul, and hospitality aren’t soft words… they're a growth strategy!That’s the message from Brett Schulman, CEO & Co-Founder of CAVA, who joined me on The Business of Joy podcast this week.Before leading one of the fastest-growing restaurant brands in America, his early jobs of washing cars and chopping firewood built his work ethic: discipline, pride, and the power of showing up!A few gems in this episode: 🌱 Manual work builds character, while human connection builds culture. His early jobs taught him attention to detail, perseverance, and the pride of finishing well.🧡 Small wins build big discipline. Making your bed. Showing up. Doing the small things consistently… that’s how momentum and resilience are built.🔥 Hospitality is a competitive edge. As technology removes friction, people crave warmth. The dining room isn’t dead - bad experiences are.📈 Lead for decades, not quarters. Show up on the bad days. Invest through headwinds. Build for the long game.Brett is a testament that when leaders choose humanity over fear, the brand doesn’t just survive… it thrives.

🎙️ We’re Baaaack! The Business of Joy Podcast 🔥 What if the biggest myth in leadership is the idea of the superhero CEO?My guest, John Blakey, is one of the UK’s leading CEO executive coaches and the author of four books. He’s worked with FTSE 100 CEOs, entrepreneurs, and even coached gold-medal Team GB rowing squads. But what struck me most in our talk wasn’t his client list, it was his humanity.John shared how a paper round at 12 taught him reliability and appreciation, how moving and changing schools often built his “resilience superpower,” and why mentors matter more than we think. We dug into how even CEO’s have imposter syndrome and his Up, In & Out model, a practical way to align purpose, inner resilience, and follower engagement.And then came his newest idea: the Thrival Kit. Not just a survival kit for leaders, but 19 real-world tools to help you thrive - a first-aid kit for purpose-driven leadership.Leadership isn’t about being flawless. It’s about being human and equipping yourself to shine and help others shine.

At 13 years old, Joe Davis wrote a list of life goals. Fast forward decades later… it turned out to be the blueprint for his life!For this episode of the Business of Joy, I had the pleasure of interviewing Joe Davis, Former Head of BCG North America and author of The Generous Leader!We talked about the kind of leadership that actually moves people (and the needle): humble, curious, and human.Some of the highlights from this episode:📰 How a 6-year paper route taught accountability at 6am (and why showing up matters)🔑 Why saying “I don’t know” can unlock creativity instead of stalling it💞 What the pandemic taught him about empathy, perspective, and leadership at scale👂 How properly listening to feedback from employees and teammates can help shape decisions and shift both morale and performanceIf you lead teams (or aspire to) you’ll love this one.📘 Joe’s book: The Generous LeaderAMAZON: https://a.co/d/95KT4xFAUDIBLE: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Generous-Leader-Audiobook/B0D6WM3FJ5?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp#BusinessOfJoy #Leadership #GenerousLeadership #EmpathyInAction #HumanConnection

Imagine working 16 hours a day… and paying yourself in quarters from a jukebox!That’s how Bruce Dean’s journey began.In this episode, Bruce, co-founder of Black Bear Diner, shares stories (and leadership lessons) I’ll never forget: 🍳 Why staying true to who you are matters more than ever 🥓 How double-smoked bacon became a signature of quality 🐻 The roadside woodcarver who helped shape Black Bear’s identity ⭐ Why “good” is actually the enemy of “great” 💡 And how taking a chance on someone can change the course of their lifeWhat stuck with me most? Hospitality isn’t just about feeding stomachs. It’s about feeding our souls.

There’s a difference between reporting sports... and sharing the stories of sports.That’s what makes Newy Scruggs, the 15-time Emmy-winning Sports Director at NBC DFW, stand out. For over 30 years, he hasn’t just covered games, he uncovers the human lessons inside them. Lessons we can carry into work, leadership, and life. From sit-downs with former TCU head coach Gary Patterson and UT Athletic Director Chris Del Conte to everyday athletes, Newy gets to the heart of it.If you’re in Dallas, Newy is a household name. If you’re not, trust me, you’re missing out.In our Business of Joy conversation, Newy shared:💡 Why vulnerability isn’t weakness, it’s the bridge to real connection⛰️ The Mount Everest principle of success and how complacency kills momentum🌱 How cutting lawns at 11 on military bases taught him work ethic, grit, and perspective🎤 A 5th-grade mock newscast that revealed his calling in broadcasting🙏 How faith, perspective, and a daily choice for joy keep him groundedThe game ends. The highlights fade. The headlines change. But the lessons and stories Newy shares will stick with you.Newy's Interview with Chris del Conte: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/meet-chris-del-conte-ut-longhorns-athletics/3764827/Newy's Website: newyscruggs.com#BusinessOfJoy #NewyScruggs #Storytelling #Leadership #NBCDFW

While most brands are chasing tomorrow’s sales, Chris Hoyle, Chief Marketing Officer of Simple Modern, focuses on driving brand connections and loyalty through generosity.If you don’t know this brand, you should:>Their purpose in the crowded drink-ware and consumer goods space is clear: “We exist to give generously.” >On their website it even says “generous prices” - meaning affordability>Chris even shares a story about “generous laughter” – LOVE IT, never heard those two words together beforeIn this episode, we cover the difference between growing the brand and growing the business.💥 What a 40oz tumbler taught Chris about agility, timing, trends, and trust 🧠 Why “users” and “ROAS” don’t tell the whole story 👏 The power of giving credit and recognition to employees🎯 Why in a tie, you win on brand

“Everyone wants to just ‘let the data speak.’ But data without a question is just noise.”Right?AI seems to be taking over a lot of our “mind share” these days. So I decided to sit down with an expert, Mike Lukianoff, CEO of Signal Flare AI, to get down to the brass tacts.I could have talked with Mike for hours about this stuff! Here are just a few of my favorite quotables from this episode:📊 “Letting the data ‘tell you’ is like asking a calculator to write your business plan.”🧠 “Nobody knows you’re doing your job until you’re not.” (Describing his offensive lineman mindset and leadership behind the scenes.)💡 “I got the right answer to the wrong question. That’s a type three error in statistics, and it’s happening everywhere with AI.”From offensive lineman to entrepreneur, Mike shares what it means to do the work no one sees and why asking better questions might just be the most human thing we can do.

What if the right jacket didn’t just fit, but helped you own your seat at the table?In this week’s episode of The Business of Joy, I sat down IN PERSON 🎥 in New York City with fashion icon and entrepreneur Nina McLemore, founder of the brand worn by senators, CEOs, and powerhouse women across America.Her mission? To design clothing for professional women that commands respect, radiates confidence, and helps level the playing field, without sacrificing color, comfort, or quality.We talked about: ✔️ Growing up in Mississippi with a legacy of strong Southern women ✔️ Taking the leap from department store buyer to founder ✔️ Building a brand for women who belong at the table ✔️ Why color isn’t just aesthetic, it’s power And before you ask, YES, I’m proudly wearing one of her jackets in this episode 💙 Plus, I have many, many more that I wear ALL THE TIME! Check out her site here: ninamclemore.com#BusinessOfJoy #NinaMcLemore #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #ApparelIndustry #Leadership #LevelThePlayingField

“You’re not burned out because of your job. You’re burned out because you’re doing someone else’s job.”That line stood out to me when I sat down with Monica Rothgery, former COO of KFC and one of the most joyful, no-BS leaders I know. Monica was the first woman in the US to hold that position and the first member of the LBGTQ community to get to the C-suite at YUM!For the fiftieth episode of the Business of Joy, we talked about:✨ What the Army didn’t prepare her for at Taco Bell🎧 Why she wears a headset during her keynotes and what it says about who she leads for🌏 How she led a turnaround in Thailand, despite no global ops background nor language skills⚠️ What “compressed productivity” is, and how it’s quietly suffocating innovation in your org🔥 The radical clarity that comes from asking: “What’s mine to do?”Whether you’re running a business, mentoring new talent, or working the frontlines yourself, Monica’s perspective and insights will change how you think.#BusinessOfJoy #LeadershipDevelopment #FrontlineLeaders #Restaurants #WomenInLeadership