Growing with Purpose

Reell reached its highest revenue ever, but the company was losing money. The difficult decisions that followed tested its leadership, culture, and trust. The downturn exposed problems that had been building for years. Reell’s leaders had to make hard choices to stabilize the business while working to rebuild trust with coworkers and keep the company’s values in view. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff talks with Shari Erdman, Reell’s CEO since June 2024, and Dr. Kyle E. Smith, Reell’s former CEO/President and current board member, about the company’s journey through that difficult period and what helped it find its footing again. Shari and Kyle share why honest communication, clear priorities, and hiring for values mattered to Reell’s recovery. They also reflect on how a company can hold onto its founding principles while its culture and leadership evolve. Jean, Shari, and Kyle also discuss the importance of taking time to reflect, adapting plans as circumstances change, and building a business that can keep making a positive impact for years to come. Key themes include: Rebuilding trust during a difficult business turnaround Making hard decisions to restore the company’s financial health Communicating openly with coworkers through periods of change Hiring and onboarding people who share the company’s values Adapting plans as business conditions shift Navigating the opportunities and challenges of employee ownership Carrying founding values through leadership transitions Building a company that can continue to make a positive impact

What does it take to keep growing without becoming the bottleneck? For David McLeod, it meant changing how he led and learning to trust his team with more ownership. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with David McLeod, co-founder and CEO of Backbone, about building a business through different stages of growth and recognizing when the way you lead needs to change. David reflects on the pressure of carrying too much himself, the moment he realized he had become a bottleneck, and the changes that helped him step back from day-to-day decisions. He shares how clear priorities and accountability have helped his leadership team take greater ownership. Jean and David discuss making time to think about the future, delegating with clarity and trust, and building a business that can grow without depending on one person to hold everything together. Key themes include: Recognizing when a founder has become a bottleneck Adapting the business as it grows Finding focus in a changing market Making time for strategic thinking Building clarity and accountability across a team Delegating while staying available to support Trusting people to take ownership Creating a calmer, more sustainable business  

What does it mean to “make it delicious” at work? For Arnon Oren, it means giving people the trust and responsibility to make something they are proud of, while creating experiences that bring people together. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Arnon Oren, founder of Anaviv, about the lessons behind building a business that brings people together and helps its team grow. Arnon shares how he found his way from washing dishes to a career in food, and how working at Chez Panisse shaped his approach to respect, creativity and ownership. He reflects on navigating the challenges of COVID, writing a ten-year vision and helping his team see a future they can build together. Jean and Arnon explore what it means to “make it delicious” beyond the kitchen: giving people the space to take responsibility, creating food that elevates a gathering, and building a business that nourishes connection. They also discuss learning through experience, making room for curiosity and creating moments people remember. Key themes include: Giving employees ownership and room for creativity Treating every team member with respect Adapting through difficult business challenges Writing and sharing a long-term vision Growing the business by helping its people grow Creating food and experiences that bring people together Making the gathering, not the food, the star Building a business with lasting meaning

Hiring Better. Pricing for Profit. Growing with Intention. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Jay Goltz, Founder and CEO of The Goltz Group and the entrepreneur who coined the term “Small Giants,” about the hard-earned lessons behind building a great company. Looking back on nearly five decades in business, Jay shares how his picture-framing company grew from one employee to more than 100, despite having no mentor or roadmap to follow. He reflects on the costly mistakes that shaped him as a leader, from underpricing his services and hiring the wrong people, to learning that being people-centered does not mean avoiding difficult decisions. Jean and Jay explore what truly defines a Small Giant: caring for customers, treating employees well, protecting the profitability of the business, and never allowing growth to undermine those priorities. They also discuss navigating changing markets, preparing for succession, and why founders should stop worshipping the “growth gods” and instead build businesses that remain aligned with the lives they want to lead. Key themes include: Hiring the right people through strong, intentional processes Pricing for profit instead of competing to be the cheapest Why rapid growth does not always mean a healthy business Staying focused on customers when things go wrong Why people-centered leadership still requires difficult decisions Being kind without becoming a pushover Choosing aligned growth over worshipping the “growth gods” Preparing both the business and its owner for succession  

Building Trust. Guarding Your Time. Getting Back to the Basics. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Larry Levine, Author, Podcast host, and Co-Founder of the agency Selling from the Heart, all of which speak to the issue of founder development, and how they can modernize their approach to sales without losing their authenticity and personal touch. Drawing on more than three decades in sales, Larry explains why nobody should be able to “out-care” you and why trust, empathy and genuine connection produce real business results. He shares how he built Selling from the Heart from scratch, the discipline of prospecting every day, and why founders should prioritize consistent communication with their ideal customers over chasing trends.  Jean and Larry also explore how leaders can guard their time for revenue-generating work, uncover what truly motivates their salespeople, and use data to avoid costly hiring mistakes. At the heart of the conversation is a simple message: future-proofing sales does not require another shortcut or shiny object. It starts with doing the fundamentals exceptionally well and making business development non-negotiable. Key themes include: Building trust through empathy and genuine relationships Why nobody should be able to “out-care” you Cutting through noise and avoiding shiny objects Making prospecting a daily non-negotiable Guarding time for revenue-generating activities Helping salespeople strengthen their heartset and mindset Using data to make better sales hires Future-proofing sales by getting back to the basics

Building Community. Leading with Intention. Staying Human in the Age of AI. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Sam Adiv, Founder and CEO of OpenTent and the Community Builder Group, about creating a company rooted in relationships, meaningful rituals and genuine community. Sam shares how his original plan to become a rabbi unexpectedly led him into entrepreneurship. After teaching himself Salesforce to support a community-building nonprofit, he began helping other organizations improve their systems. What started as a side project grew into OpenTent, where Sam found a new way to combine technology, leadership and community building. He also shares the intentional rhythms that keep his remote team connected, why rest is built into the company calendar and how OpenTent turned a major client mistake into an opportunity to strengthen trust. Jean and Sam explore hiring for context rather than simply seeking “A players,” choosing the right company size and building a business that can operate without its founder. They also discuss navigating AI with creativity rather than fear and why relationships, trust, imagination and leadership will remain powerful differentiators as technology changes how we work. Key themes include: Building culture through rhythms and rituals Creating connection within remote teams Turning mistakes into stronger client relationships Hiring for organizational fit Choosing quality over growth for growth’s sake Building a company that can operate without its founder Staying human and creative in the age of AI

From Corporate to Founder. Navigating Growth. Building with Intention. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Nenuca Syquia, Founder and CEO of Better Organizations by Design (BOxD), about building a business that grows without losing sight of what matters most. Nenuca shares her journey from corporate leadership to launching BOxD just before the pandemic, stepping into entrepreneurship without a network and building a client base from scratch. What began as a desire to do more meaningful work quickly became a test of resilience, as she navigated uncertainty, rejection and the realities of scaling a business. This conversation explores what it takes to grow with intention, how to avoid “success disasters” where growth outpaces delivery, and why building systems and teams is more important than relying on the founder. Nenuca also reflects on the personal side of leadership, from pressure and fear to learning how to trust others and not carry everything alone. Key themes include: Intentional growth vs growth for its own sake Scaling without compromising delivery Reframing sales from selling to helping Building systems and reducing founder dependency Handling rejection and making tough people decisions Aligning business growth with personal purpose A grounded and honest conversation for leaders who want to build something meaningful and sustainable over the long term.

From Side Hustle to Purpose-Driven Growth. Staying True to What Matters. Building with Intention. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Adria Marshall, Founder of EcoSlay, about building a business rooted in values, sustainability, and community. Adria shares her journey from engineer to accidental entrepreneur, creating her own haircare products in her kitchen after struggling to find options that truly worked for her. What began as a personal experiment quickly turned into something much bigger, with orders flooding in almost overnight and forcing her to navigate rapid growth in real time. This conversation explores what it takes to scale a business without compromising your standards, how values can guide difficult decisions, and why success should be defined by more than just revenue. Adria also reflects on the importance of community, mentorship, and building a company that aligns with who you are at your core. Key themes include: Values-driven decision making Scaling without compromise Sustainability and ingredient integrity Defining success beyond revenue Community and mentorship Building a business with purpose A grounded and honest conversation for leaders who want to grow something meaningful without losing sight of what matters most.

Profit. Purpose. Financial Clarity. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff sits down with Brandon Neely, real estate investor, entrepreneur, Co-Founder and CEO of Wealth Wisdom Financial and founder of Counterflow, for an honest conversation about money, systems, and what it really takes to build a business that lasts. Brandon shares the story of launching a purpose-driven coffee shop during the 2008 financial crisis, bootstrapping the business through community support, and navigating personal hardship, financial strain, and a flood that nearly wiped everything out. That season reshaped how he thinks about profit, stability, and leadership. Today, Brandon helps business owners create financial structures that support long-term resilience. As a Profit First Professional and Bank On Yourself Professional, he focuses on helping operators build strong cash flow systems that give them flexibility and peace of mind. This conversation explores: • Why entrepreneurship requires a true sense of calling • What most business owners misunderstand about profit • How financial chaos affects marriages, families, and leadership • The connection between personal wealth and business health • Why stillness and self-awareness matter in financial decision-making • Building systems that create stability, not stress At its core, this episode is a reminder that profit is not selfish. When approached intentionally, it becomes a tool for stewardship, resilience, and long-term impact. A thoughtful conversation for leaders who want their business and their life to work together, not compete with each other.

High Performance. High Well-Being. Redefining Success. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Ashish Kothari, Founder and CEO of Happiness Squad, about success, well-being, and what it truly means to live and lead a meaningful life. Ashish reflects on his journey from a high-pressure career at McKinsey to a deeper exploration of happiness, purpose, and human connection. He shares how anxiety and burnout became powerful catalysts for personal transformation, and why redefining success is essential for leaders who want to sustain both high performance and a fulfilling life. This conversation explores why high performance demands high well-being, the role of relationships and community in flourishing leadership, and how small, consistent micro-practices can create lasting change. Ashish also challenges common misconceptions about happiness, reminding us that it is not something to chase, but a byproduct of living with purpose, service, and care for others. Key themes include: High performance and high well-being Burnout and personal transformation Redefining success and significance Relationships and community Micro-practices for sustainable change Purpose-driven leadership A thoughtful and grounding conversation for leaders seeking to build lives and organizations that truly flourish.