Disruptive Successor Podcast

Episode 194 - Bagels, Bloodlines, and Business: Western Bagel’s Legacy with Jeff Ustin


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Jeff Ustin is the Vice President of Western Bagel, the first bagel shop in Los Angeles. He helps carry on his great-grandfather’s 75-year legacy while leading the brand’s national and international expansion. Under his leadership, Western Bagel has become a West Coast staple, blending New York tradition with LA innovation. Carrying on a rich 75-year legacy, Jeff is the great-grandson of David Ustin, a union bagel baker from New York City who founded Western Bagel in 1947. Jeff grew up immersed in the business, learning every aspect from sweeping floors at 3 AM with his father, Steve, to managing retail stores. Under his leadership, Western Bagel continues to blend New York tradition with LA innovation, expanding its reach nationally and internationally while preserving its strong family values and commitment to employee

SHOW SUMMARY

In this episode of the Disruptive Successor Podcast, host Jonathan Goldhill talks with Jeff Ustin, Vice President of Western Bagel. Jeff shares the fascinating history of his family's 75-year-old bagel business, from its New York roots to becoming a West Coast staple. The conversation explores the unique challenges and triumphs of generational transitions, maintaining a strong company culture based on loyalty and respect, and the ongoing efforts to modernize and expand the brand in a competitive market. Jeff offers valuable insights into balancing tradition with innovation, adapting to consumer trends, and navigating market shifts like the COVID-19 pandemic, all while staying true to Western Bagel's core values.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • A Legacy Built on Hard Work and Family: Jeff highlights how Western Bagel's 75-year success is rooted in the tireless dedication of his great-grandfather and father, who instilled a strong work ethic and passion for the business from a young age.
  • The Backbone of Employee Loyalty: The longevity and success of Western Bagel are largely attributed to their deep respect for employees, many of whom have been with the company for decades, fostered by an open-door policy and a family-like culture.
  • Balancing Tradition with Innovation: Western Bagel masterfully combines its New York bagel heritage with an LA touch, creating a less dense bagel that appeals to the local market while continuously exploring new products and adapting to modern consumer preferences like high-protein options.
  • Modernizing for the Next Generation: The company is actively investing in social media, hiring PR firms, and exploring new concepts to connect with younger customers and expand its brand presence, ensuring relevance in a constantly evolving market.
  • Strategic Expansion in a Competitive Landscape: Jeff discusses the deliberate planning behind market expansion, emphasizing the need to "hit hard" when entering new areas and the constant evaluation of opportunities in wholesale, private label, and potential new factory locations.
  • Lessons from Adversity: Navigating COVID-19: The pandemic, while challenging, pushed Western Bagel to adapt and grow, particularly in delivery services, leading to valuable operational improvements and a stronger, more resilient business.
  • Sticking to Your Core and Giving Back: Jeff emphasizes the importance of focusing on what the company does best – making authentic bagels – and its unwavering commitment to community involvement and stewardship through charitable giving.

QUOTES

  • "You're only as good as your employees that you have. You need to be loyal to them. They're the backbone of your company."
  • "If you don't change with the times, you're gonna fail."
  • "You gotta know what you know and what you don't know... you gotta put that ego aside and, and trust people and learn."
  • "We know we have the best bagel out there. We take pride in our bagel. We use the highest quality ingredient. I mean, it's a, it matters to us."
  • "There's always something good that comes outta something horrific."
  • "You gotta help those that need help... we believe that's our job as a, as a company, is to help those in need."

Connect and learn more about Jeff Ustin and his company:

Jeff Ustin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-ustin-307a1710b/
Western Bagel: https://westernbagel.com/

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe, review, and share with a friend who would benefit from the message. If you’re interested in picking up a copy of Jonathan Goldhill’s book, Disruptive Successor, go to the website at www.DisruptiveSuccessor.com

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Disruptive Successor PodcastBy Jonathan Goldhill

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