Wynne Odell and her husband, Doug, founded Odell Brewing in Fort Collins, Colorado in 1989. In the three decades since, the company has persevered and grown, aligned with the Evergreen 7Ps™. In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2019, Wynne shares stories of challenge and success, offering an authentic and inspiring story of Evergreen business.

JT McCormick survived a childhood marked by abuse and neglect. He barely graduated from high school and does not have a college degree. In spite of these obstacles, JT refuses to consider himself a victim and embraces the opportunity he has—as President and CEO of Scribe Media—to inspire young people facing challenge and other Evergreen leaders. In this moving, deeply personal talk presented at Tugboat Institute Summit 2019, JT describes his journey of perseverance and shares key lessons of his experience.

Brian Griffith, Executive Chairman of Griffith Foods, a fourth-generation global business in the food space, has taken the importance of employees' alignment around Purpose to a new level. In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2019, Brian shares how he and his team have operationalized Purpose within the organization, building a platform for associates to explore and define personal purpose and understand the intersection of that purpose with that of the company.

Fifty percent of every sale of Double Good gourmet popcorn is donated to support children with special needs. Alongside that clear focus on making a difference is 20 years of consistent revenue growth. In his Tugboat Institute Summit 2018 presentation, Double Good CEO Tim Heitmann describes the powerful sense of purpose that has evolved over the company's history—and the significant period of challenge that he feared would derail the business.

From the time she was a little girl, Mia Tate has loved stories. Her commitment to listening to and connecting with others' experiences has inspired her work as an actor, writer, director, and producer. In fact, she has come to realize that the seemingly simple act of listening is a unique and valuable skill. In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2019, Mia offers valuable perspective and inspiration around the essential act of listening and shares the power of this skill to transform professional and personal connections.

In 2009, Michael Kiolbassa was tired and on the verge of burnout. An early morning moment of spiritual surrender provided a personal and professional pivot point for the CEO and President of Kiolbassa Smoked Meats. In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2019, Michael shares the story of the journey of transformation that followed that moment of release, as he embraced vulnerability and infused his company with Purpose

Twenty percent of U.S. businesses are now owned by private equity (PE), far surpassing the number of public and independent, privately held companies. And, PE firms have over $3 trillion of additional purchase power. What is driving this growth, and will it change? What is the PE playbook, and how is it used to convince owners to sell and to "add-value" after purchase? What can Evergreen companies do about it?

In this opening presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2019, Tugboat Institute Founder and CEO Dave Whorton offers key statistics and drivers in the rise of PE, valuable insight into the PE playbook, and 14 things Evergreen CEOs and their teams can do about it.

The food industry is notoriously difficult with thin margins, disappearing trends and a constantly rotating employee base. But Erin Wade has found a way to use the industry to build opportunities not only for herself but also for others. As co-founder and CEO of Homeroom, her full-service mac-and-cheese restaurant, she is building a unique culture within her industry. As a savvy Evergreen entrepreneur, she is creating a highly profitable growth business to fulfill her own aspirations and fostering a culture her employees value. And, Homeroom's profitability puts it in the top 5 percent of performers in the industry.

We all have our own cognitive maps, unique to us and determined by our individual experiences and history. Sometimes, these maps can be limiting—in business and in life. While challenging, having the courage and perseverance to see beyond the borders of your own cognitive map—and those of others—can lead to transformative expansion, innovation, and success for Evergreen businesses. In his presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2018, Arpad Molnar, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Obsidian Wine Co., shares his experience building a business that has continually disrupted the cognitive map within his industry and has maintained a steadfast focus on the long term, rather than on short-term gains.