A Life of Climb: The CEO's Journey

Violet Grgich, President and CEO of Grgich Hills Estate Winery, joins the podcast to discuss lessons she learned from her father, the literal “King of Chardonnay,” and how she’s applied those to her leadership journey. Violet also takes Vistage CEO Sam Reese through the strategies she’s built to prepare and succeed through natural disasters and an ever-changing customer landscape.   

Key takeaways from this episode

• Lead with simplicity and heart: Violet’s leadership is anchored in her father’s mantra: “Do your best. Learn something new. Make a friend.” 
  Reflect: What mantra guides your decision-making?
• Preserve core values through change: Violet emphasizes protecting her company’s core values amid external challenges. 
  Reflect: Do your decisions reflect your values, even during crises?
• Foster a collaborative, multi-skilled team: By hiring people — not just for positions — and encouraging cross-functional skills, Violet builds adaptability and loyalty. 
  Reflect: How are you cross-training your workforce?  
• Prepare proactively for uncertainty: Regenerative organic farming shielded Grgich Hills’ vineyards from wildfire smoke damage.
  Reflect: Assess proactive strategies that can strengthen your business against external forces.
• Delegate to focus on growth: Violet’s challenge of letting go of tasks is an ongoing struggle. 
  Reflect: What’s one thing you did today that could have been delegated to your team? 
• Prioritize authentic customer connections: Despite tech advances, Violet affirms the irreplaceable value of in-person experiences.
  Reflect:  Are there areas where you can balance both digital and personal connections to build loyal customers?

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader. 

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

Sports Reference President Sean Forman joins the podcast to share how he turned a lifelong love of statistics into a business that fuels data and information for the world’s top sports leagues. Sean also takes Vistage CEO Sam Reese through his pivotal decisions to stay out of the sports betting market but double down on the Immaculate Grid acquisition that changed the game for the business.

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader. 

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

Lus Haberberger, CEO of LUZCO Technologies and a 2024 Vistage Member Excellence Award winner, joins Vistage CEO Sam Reese to share why she took the leap to found an engineering firm that has transformed into one of the fastest-growing firms in St. Louis over just 7 years. Lus also shares how staying rooted in her core values has helped her scale her rapidly growing business,  how diverse perspectives have led to business growth, and the pivotal role peer advisory played in helping her learn the skills to succeed as a new CEO.

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader. 

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

David Querio joins the podcast to share his remarkable journey from airplane mechanic to CEO of Ascent Aviation Services, and what he learned about managing teams in an industry with no room for error. 

He also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how out-of-the-box thinking fueled his company’s growth, transforming Ascent Aviation into a major player in aircraft maintenance, modification and storage. 

David shares lessons learned from doubling his employees over 60 days – and why he’s still passionate about being an airplane “geek” after 40 years in the business. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader. 

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

Road Runner Sports President and Owner Mike Gotfredson Jr. joins the podcast to share how his athletic shoe company evolved into a nationwide retailer over 41 years. Mike also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how his company uses  technology to transform the in-store experience and create new levels of customer personalization and brand loyalty. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader. 

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

Cleanlogic Co-CEO and Vistage Member Award Winner Mike Ghesser joins Vistage CEO Sam Reese to talk about how his passion for prioritizing workplace accessibility grew from his personal experiences as a father and friend. Mike also shares how he persevered through challenges and roadblocks to build a thriving business from the ground up.

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader. 

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

AmeriVet Veterinary Partners CEO Tom Thill joins the podcast to share how his values-led approach to acquisitions has fueled explosive growth and led to happier vets and healthier pets.  Tom also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about what he learned navigating PE acquisition and why a CEO’s vision is so crucial to a successful sale.

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader. 

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

The Line Up Owner and Founder Deb Erickson joins the podcast to share her journey from working in social services to making apparel for some of the biggest sports teams in the country. Deb also talks with Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how learning to ask for help unlocked new potential for herself and her company, and the lessons she’s learned while putting in place a concrete succession plan. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader. 

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

Ricos Products CEO and Vistage Lifetime Award Winner Tony Liberto joins the podcast and shares the amazing story of the invention of the ballpark nacho and how smart diversification strategies have helped his family business thrive through four generations. Tony also talks to Vistage CEO Sam Reese about how his investments in marketing and company culture have fueled the next wave of business growth.

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader. 

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.

Greyston President and CEO Joseph Kenner joins Vistage CEO Sam Reese to share his organization’s bold ideas for re-thinking hiring, mentorship and advancement in today’s workforce. Joseph also explains his experience reshaping his organization as a first-time CEO and his plan to work with major brands to make a $3B economic impact.

Discover how Joseph:

• Adapted the company’s mission and vision for a changing world.  
• Developed an apprentice and mentorship program to improve retention and productivity. 
• Partnered with premium brands such as Ben & Jerrys, Whole Foods, and The Body Shop to increase Greyston’s reach and deepen their impact. 

For show notes and more leadership development information visit vistage.com/podcast

Learn more about Vistage

Vistage is the world’s largest CEO executive coaching and peer advisory organization for small and midsize business leaders. Vistage offers the most effective approach to achieve better results, grow your company faster and maximize your impact as a leader. 

For 65 years, Vistage has helped CEOs, business owners and key executives reach new levels of success and leadership development.