In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Ole Tyme Produce's president and CEO Joan Daleo. For more than 50 years, Ole Tyme Produce has been a St. Louis mainstay in the food distribution business. But when the pandemic arrived and the restaurant industry froze, Ole Tyme Produce reached a pivot point. It was up to Daleo and her team to come up with creative new ways to diversify revenue streams—and quick. Over the last few years, the business has enjoyed fascinating growth. Hear how Deleo oversaw a reimagining of the business in real time, some of the lessons she learned, and what it takes to inherit a family business and lead it into a new era of growth and innovation.

This episode is sponsored by Royal Banks of Missouri.

For sixty years, Royal Banks of Missouri has been proud to be your local community bank. Set your business up for success with their treasury management specialists. Visit royalbanksofmo.com to learn more about their business banking options.

Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to [email protected].

Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community.

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Penny Pennington, managing partner of Edward Jones. The discussion touches on the company's St. Louis roots, how Edward Jones has benefitted from being a St. Louis institution, and the ways in which it is leveraging artificial intelligence to assist clients. Pennington also shares insights into The Great Wealth Transfer, as well as things that older and younger generations alike should consider as they plan their financial futures.  

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Penny Pennington, managing partner of Edward Jones. The discussion touches on the company's St. Louis roots, how Edward Jones has benefitted from being a St. Louis institution, and the ways in which it is leveraging artificial intelligence to assist clients. Pennington also shares insights into The Great Wealth Transfer, as well as things that older and younger generations alike should consider as they plan their financial futures. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

This episode is sponsored by Third Degree Glass.

Consider booking your next corporate event in one of Third Degree Glass' stunning spaces—they can accommodate anything from a staff happy hour or off-site meeting to a large fundraiser. Add on a live glass blowing demo or hands-on experience for a memorable team building activity!

Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to [email protected].

Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community.

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Guarantee Electrical CEO Rich Ledbetter. The discussion focuses on the company's pivot to an employee ownership model, including the benefits and pain points of ESOPs for leaders and employees alike. Ledbetter also shares insights into what the ESOP process looks like, industries where the model might work best, and more. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

This episode is sponsored by Genesis of St. Charles and supported by Miss Augusta.

The only standalone Genesis dealership in Missouri is now open, just 20 minutes from downtown St. Louis. With a vast selection of new and used luxury vehicles, the dealership offers competitive prices on every model on the lot.

Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to [email protected].

Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community.

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Build-A-Bear founder Maxine Clark, who is now the CEO and co-founder of the Clark-Fox Family Foundation. The discussion touches on the impact of the Delmar DivINe, including how the development is serving as a hub for nonprofits and essential services. Clark also shares insights into how to recognize good business ideas, local development projects that excite her, what St. Louis can learn from other peer cities, and more. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

This episode is sponsored by Opera Theatre of Saint Louis and supported by the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Opera Theatre of Saint Louis’ annual festival season is back, with four new productions and hundreds of artists hand-picked from all across the country. From pre-show garden picnics to post-show champagne toasts under the stars, Opera Theatre offers a vibrantly social take on a classic arts experience.

Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to [email protected].

Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community.

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Shep Hyken, the St. Louis–based bestselling author, podcaster, and keynote speaker who helps organizations around the world learn and implement best practices for serving people in a variety of industries. The discussion focuses on the trends in customer experience and customer service that leaders of any organization should keep in mind this year and beyond. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

BizSTL Podcast: Customer experience expert Shep Hyken

The St. Louis native joins the podcast to discuss the latest trends in customer experience and customer service.

BY SLM STAFF

MAY 15, 2024

5:08 PM

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PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN A. ROBERTS

Shep Hyken

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Shep Hyken, the St. Louis–based bestselling author, podcaster, and keynote speaker who helps organizations around the world learn and implement best practices for serving people in a variety of industries. The discussion focuses on the trends in customer experience and customer service that leaders of any organization should keep in mind this year and beyond. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

"What happens on the inside of an organization is felt on the outside by customers. I've written about this in a number of books, but I love Brian Keeley, who just retired last year as CEO of an organization called Baptist Health South, which is a health care organization in Florida. He called it destination employment, meaning I want somebody to come to work for me and never want to leave. If we can create that kind of fulfillment at work and enjoyment where they don't want to go anywhere else, my gosh, we're going to have more engaged people with our customers, which are patients and their families. They're going to try harder. They're going to do what it takes. They're going to be part of a team. He's absolutely right. You'll find the greatest companies to do business with are often the greatest companies to work for, as well."

This episode is sponsored by Royal Banks of Missouri and supported by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship.

For sixty years, Royal Banks of Missouri has been proud to be your local community bank. With a variety of personal and business banking solutions, Royal Banks provides exceptional service every step of the way on your financial journey.

Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to [email protected].

Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community.

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with FOCUS St. Louis president and CEO Yemi Akande-Bartsch. The discussion touches on Akande-Bartsch's approach to helping local leaders reach their full potential, including why it can be helpful to create a map of leadership ecosystems to understand challenges and build relationships. Akande-Bartsch also shares insights into the pressing local issues that FOCUS is helping leaders solve, the importance of humility, and strategies that anyone can follow to become a more impactful leader.  Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

This episode is sponsored by Genesis of St. Charles and supported by Butler's Pantry.

The only standalone Genesis dealership in Missouri is now open just 20 minutes from downtown St. Louis. With a vast selection of new and used luxury vehicles, the dealership offers competitive prices on every model on the lot.

Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to [email protected].

Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community.

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Stifel CEO Ron Kruszewski. The discussion touches on Kruszewski's optimism about the future of downtown St. Louis, including why he believes it's important to invest in the commercial corridor. Kruszewski also shares insights into trends across the wealth management industry, the impact of artificial intelligence on the finance sector, career advice, and the value of emotional intelligence. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever podcasts are available.

This episode is sponsored by It's Alive Automotive and supported by the Missouri History Museum.

It’s Alive Automotive brings cars back to life. Specializing in classic Jaguars, It’s Alive Automotive buys, sells, repairs, and restores all kinds of classic sports cars. Every tool and piece of equipment is carefully selected to breathe life back into cars, ensuring they will last for generations to come.

Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to [email protected].

Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community.

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, host Mike Miller chats with Emily Lohse-Busch, executive director of the 39 North Agtech Innovation District in Creve Coeur. The discussion touches on the establishment of a new nonprofit focused on developing the district in its next phase. Lohse-Busch also shares insights into the latest agtech trends, as well as the factors that have allowed St. Louis to become such a fertile region for the industry. Listen and follow The BizSTL Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever podcasts are available.

This episode is sponsored by Royal Banks of Missouri and supported by United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation.

For sixty years, Royal Banks of Missouri has been proud to be your local community bank. With a variety of personal and business banking solutions, Royal Banks provides exceptional service every step of the way on your financial journey.

Have an idea for a future episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to [email protected].

Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community.

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the debut episode, host Mike Miller chats with World Wide Technology co-founder and CEO Jim Kavanaugh about his company’s recent investment of more than $500 million in AI services. The discussion touches on WWT’s Advanced Technology Center, as well as plans to build an AI proving ground where clients will be able to test new uses for generative AI applications. Kavanaugh also shares insights into the questions leaders ought to ask themselves before integrating AI into their existing processes, the growing importance of IT, and data security. The episode concludes with Kavanaugh’s thoughts about cultivating great workplace culture.

This episode is sponsored by the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra

Join the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra for “R.E.M. Explored” on Friday, April 5 at the Stifel Theatre. This exciting evening features selections from legendary band R.E.M.’s catalogue, performed by the Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra. 

Thank you to United States Geospatial Intelligence Foundation for supporting this episode.

Have an idea for a future BizSTL Podcast episode? Send your thoughts or feedback to [email protected].

Want to learn more? Subscribe to our BizSTL Leadership newsletter for more insights from local leaders on St. Louis’ business community.

Interested in being a podcast sponsor? Contact Lauren Leppert at [email protected].

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.