Generation Excellence Podcast

I recognize there’s great admiration for founder/entrepreneurs. Silicon Valley lauds those individuals. I would argue stepping into a very successful family business, earning respect when your name is on the door (and 100’s of trucks), and managing a legacy business through times that threaten the organization’s very existence – that takes a special skill set too! Steve Don has humbly done that and more as Chicago-based Edward Don & Co. forges into their 100th year in business. Don is a leading distributor of foodservice equipment and supplies across the U.S. My conversation with Steve spans the generations of the company, goes big picture, recognizes the critical importance of serving the customer all while never losing sight of attention to detail. Please “eat up” this 29th episode of GENeration EXcellence with my good friend Steve Don.

What are the challenges for someone becoming the CEO of a large family-owned business while representing the fourth generation? For answers I turned to Andrew “Bubba” Berenzweig a business leader and change-maker at Hylant, one of the nation’s largest insurance brokers. Berenzweig explains how Hylant is celebrating their 85th year of operations while recognizing the need to commit to significantly different ways of working in the future. He refers to it as, “breaking barriers and borders.” I’m a big hockey fan and Bubba is a former NHL’er. Surprisingly we spent little time talking hockey while enjoying a lengthy time talking business. Please hop over the boards and take in Bubba Berenzweig’s insightful business lessons in this 28th episode of GENeration EXcellence.

The newest GENeration EXcellence episode, #27, spins the 107-year-old tale about the Becharas Brothers Coffee Co. family business. Nick and Dean represent the third generation running the operation and tell us their story - with humility and humor. So, grab a steaming cup and take a listen. Hopefully your coffee is smooth. But it’s worth remembering the reality: the journey isn’t always smooth for long-running businesses.

Mike Hart is the second generation leader of Hart, Inc. a full-service advertising agency with offices in Toledo and Columbus, Ohio. I first met Mike in his original Toledo offices and we exchanged stories about working for our fathers and all of the other unique individuals that one faces in advertising. Mike provides a great perspective on the highs and lows of business. His advice to his two children as they entered the workforce is priceless. (Well actually it’s free.) This is one of my favorite episodes so far. Please enjoy Mike Hart’s family business story in this episode of GENeration EXcellence.

Sanya Weston is an engineer entrepreneur who comes from a family with a legacy of being leaders and innovators in the travel industry. Hear how her family organization dealt with 9/11, the ongoing COVID pandemic and other challenges; never wavering from helping clients with their business and leisure travel plans. Learn about a non-profit Sanya recently formed to provide African-American students an opportunity to travel the world. If you’re in need of a vacation (who doesn’t right now?) please enjoy Sanya’s family business journey in this episode of GENeration EXcellence.

Steven Goodman is a CPA, a banker, a business-owner and a published author. Put all that together and you have someone who has been in the room for difficult and seminal conversations around business continuity and succession. Steven’s book is titled Business Succession Planning, and he is passionate about the importance of planning for generational family businesses. Listen as Steven shares some real-world examples. Certainly appropriate subject matter for this year-end episode of GENeration EXcellence.

Shane Pliska serves as president of Planterra, a business his parents formed over 45 years ago. Learn about how flying ficus trees ignited a unique business spanning the design and installation of plantscapes to beautiful weddings in a glass conservatory. Business insight, art, culture, creativity and of course “growth” are part of the generational Planterra story. Please use your green thumb and push play on this enjoyable episode of GENeration EXcellence.

Joshua Bernard is a super hard-working commercial mortgage banker at Bernard Financial Group, a firm his father started 30 years ago. Josh introduces an intriguing concept - taking a mousetrap and “second generationizing” it. (Find that idea anywhere else!) A student of the business, Joshua is honest in his appraisal of interacting with clients, colleagues and family. Joshua also enjoys cooking, skiing, playing piano and reading. His passionate interests come thorough in this conversation. Regardless of where you are in your career listeners will find relevant insights in this episode of GENeration EXcellence.

Heidi Harlan outlines how her family built a business that helps teachers gather and organize the materials they need to make science lessons fun and engaging for students. Heidi explains how she brings her Hollywood experience to the next generation of a business that has roots in entertainment, but is focused on revolutionizing science education in the U.S. Put on your lab coat and safety googles and take a listen ...

Elliot and Noah Lewkow of The Cappuccino Man

Grab a cappuccino (or your favorite beverage) and join me for the legend of The Cappuccino Man through the stories of founder Elliot Lewkow and his son Noah. Find out how selling a piece of equipment spawned a network of “coffeehouses on wheels” in Michigan and Southern California. This family business communicates and operates in a manner as fresh as their coffee beans. And provides timeless instruction around delivering an exceptional customer experience with flexibility and ingenuity. Please enjoy.