The Trending Today Podcast

Doug Wood has redefined Tommy Bahama, transforming it from a men’s clothing brand into a lifestyle powerhouse that brings the essence of island life to every experience, from apparel to dining. With over 20 years at Tommy Bahama, Doug shares how the brand expanded beyond its roots in men’s fashion to become a destination for both men and women, offering more than just products, but a taste of the relaxed island spirit.

Joining Liz Galloway, Doug talks about the importance of quality, innovation, and customer connection. How has Tommy Bahama stayed true to its identity while expanding into food and beverage, and what role do restaurants and Marlin bars play in building that connection? Doug also shares the brand’s latest ventures, like a new denim line and the Tommy Bahama Miramonte resort, pushing the boundaries of what an island lifestyle can be.

Doug’s leadership approach is rooted in teamwork, communication, and a willingness to adapt. As Tommy Bahama looks to the future, how does Doug see the brand continuing to grow while staying grounded in the desires of its customers? Tune in for a refreshing look at how to build a brand that evolves with the times without losing its core identity.

Quotes

• “I’m not trying to sell our guests an item. I’m trying to sell you an experience.” (02:21 | Doug Wood)
• “What was the magic of the brand was we figured out that our guests wanted more.” (04:22 | Doug Wood)
• “Exceeding people’s expectations is, in this world, the greatest thing you can do—bringing something that people are thinking is going to be one way. And you actually know you’ve exceeded and made it better. And that’s what our restaurants really were able to do.” (17:32 | Doug Wood)
• “Some of the worst decisions that are made are the ones you choose that you didn’t make and you just let something happen.” (29:07 | Doug Wood)
• “When I would talk to guests and we have focus groups around the country, I’d always finish with the last question I always ask: What’s next? What should we do that you’d like us to do?” (34:42 | Doug Wood)

Links

Connect with Doug Wood:

tommybahama.com

Trending Today:

www.trendingtoday.com 

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

In the world of consumer brands, “trust is everything,” according to Howard Holmes, president of Chelsea Milling Company, the company that makes “JIFFY” baking mixes. He joins Liz Galloway in this episode to share his thoughts on leadership, handling the challenges of a multigenerational family business, and adapting to shifting trends in the foodservice industry.

Howard reflects on his rise through the company, emphasizing how his hands-on experience shaped his approach to leadership. Can practical experience truly define leadership, especially in a family-run business? For Howard, it’s indispensable. It’s allowed Chelsea Milling Co. to maintain tight control over quality and vertically integrate their operations, giving them a unique competitive edge.

Howard shares how the pandemic rekindled interest in home baking and pushed the company to invest further in new product development, making innovation more important than ever. The challenge? Balancing tradition with the need to evolve. For Howard, the challenge is to maintain the company’s core values while fostering innovation and giving customer service top priority in a market that is becoming more and more dynamic.

Tune in for sharp insights into leadership and business strategy, showing how family-owned businesses can thrive by staying true to their roots while embracing the future.

Quotes

• “I think sales is a great place to start any career. You have to know how your products are made. You have to know your customers and your consumers, and all the merchandising agreements and opportunities that can exist there.” (03:41 | Howard Holmes)
• “We’ve been around for a long time, and there’s a lot required to do that. It’s not just having a great product; it’s having the right facilities, the willingness to reinvent yourself, and the willingness to invest in your organization, which we’ve done in a variety of ways. Having the right people is important. I think, as a family business, we’re always focused on the future and what we can do to be around for another 100 years, as opposed to what we can do to make our report to Wall Street next quarter as polished as possible.” (14:36 | Howard Holmes) 
• “Trust in the world of consumer brands is everything… I think during the pandemic, what we recognized was that it’s critical to stick to what we do best, and that’s meeting people’s expectations and being there for our consumers. It worked for 130 years, and I’m pretty confident that it’ll work for another 100 years.” (22:11 | Howard Holmes) 
• “Our definition of culture is the process surrounding how you communicate and the process surrounding how you make decisions. That, I think, is a fair definition of just culture in general. So the process surrounding how we communicate is extremely collaborative.” (36:39 | Howard Holmes) 

Links

JIFFY:

https://www.jiffymix.com/

Trending Today:

www.trendingtoday.com 

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Surrounding yourself with great people is really the key—that’s part of the hard work,” says Brad Leavitt, the CEO and founder of A Finer Touch Construction, a major player in luxury custom homes. Joining Liz Galloway, Brad shares his journey from electrician to becoming a key player in the building and construction industry. What does it take to be successful in custom homebuilding? It's simple for Brad: it's all about building a solid team. He describes how his success as an entrepreneur has been largely due to surrounding himself with top talent.

In this episode, Brad talks about the future of custom homebuilding. He talks about sustainability and how innovative methods like panelization are shaping eco-friendly construction. It isn't just about the technical side—Brad reveals how company culture plays an important role in entrepreneurship and how creating a work environment that clicks has been essential for attracting top talent and earning client trust.

Brad also touches on the power of public speaking, networking, and podcasting, and how these tools have expanded his influence across the industry. Join him and Liz for an insightful conversation on entrepreneurship, sustainability, and leadership in the world of building and construction.

Quotes

• “Surrounding yourself with great people is really the key—that’s part of the hard work.” (01:12 | Brad Leavitt) 
• “I was always looking for a better way to build. Whether someone cares about the planet or sustainability— which they should— or whether it’s about more efficient building practices and less destructive materials, we should be mindful of all these things.” (12:37 | Brad Leavitt) 
• “If you can solve the processes, systems, organization, and org chart while making sure they believe in the product, that’s the core. You’re setting yourself up for great success.” (16:39 | Brad Leavitt) 
• “I’ve found social media to be very beneficial when it’s not about soliciting… We feature the designers, architects, suppliers, and partners, and we showcase the beautiful spaces our clients have imagined and that we’ve been able to construct. So, you know, I think that’s part of it—good content. For someone starting out, I’ve really used social media as a platform for thought leadership.” (19:07 | Brad Leavitt)
• “Custom homes are custom. There are always going to be innovations, products, and robotics to some extent that will influence that and continue to improve. But overall, I think that these vendors are becoming more focused on having sustainable products. So, homes are going to be a lot healthier. Learning what it takes to build a healthy home and understanding the building science will give you a leg up on the competition.” (26:33 | Brad Leavitt)

Links

Connect with Brad Leavitt:

aftconstruction.com 

bradleavitt.com

Trending Today: 

www.trendingtoday.com 

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“When I think about the live event space and what people are looking for, I think people are always looking for a platform that is secure and one that you can trust,” says Stan Chia, CEO of Vivid Seats, North America’s largest online ticketing platform. In this episode of the Trending Today podcast, he joins host Liz Galloway to explore how technology and trends are reshaping the live events industry. Drawing from his leadership roles at Amazon and Grubhub, Stan talks about the role innovation and teamwork have played in Vivid Seats’ success, along with their rewards program and gamification features that keep customers engaged and coming back for more.

Stan doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges of staying ahead in a fast-paced ticketing market. With constant market shifts, he knows that a solid engineering team is essential to stay competitive. But with more and more transactions happening online, how does Vivid Seats build trust with customers? Stan shares how they’ve doubled down on security with a buyer guarantee, all while staying committed to a customer-first mindset.

Looking to the future, Stan shares his excitement about Vivid Seats’ global expansion and how the company will personalize customer experiences and stay ahead of industry trends. He even gets personal, recounting a Metallica concert with his kids, showing how these moments–these live experiences–create lasting connections.

Tune in as Stan and Liz discuss leadership, collaboration, and the tech-driven future of ticketing.

Quotes

• “I think for us, it’s always about putting that customer of yours, whether it is a consumer or a seller, at the forefront of what you’re doing and making sure that the innovation really drives value for that user.” (09:03 | Stan Chia)
• “When you have a rewards program, when you have best-in-class customer service, when you have a guarantee that you can put out there, ultimately, I think that drives security, safety, and reliability. That’s a big thing, I think, for consumers as they look to select where to place their faith and where to buy tickets.” (12:53 | Stan Chia)
• “I think in today’s world, where everybody is so busy, when I think about offerings for platforms to users, I think relevance and personalization are a big part. It’s a big part because it’s such a time saver for our fans and users if the recommendations we’re servicing or surfacing resonate with them. Vivid Seats sits in a really unique spot because, beyond our loyalty program, one of the other unique elements we have is our gamification products.” (14:48 | Stan Chia)
• “We want to provide amazing experiences for our users. Keeping people engaged with our platform is certainly something that is important to us. But I think when I flip that again, the way we think about engagement is that engagement has to be valuable to the user.” (17:24 | Stan Chia)
• “We want to foster and create, really, just a high-performance culture centered around collaboration. And I think when you put those things together, you can take on the world. I think that’s what we’re trying to do.” (24:09 | Stan Chia)

Links

Connect with Stan Chia:

www.vividseats.com

Trending Today:

www.trendingtoday.com

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Welcome to the Trending Today podcast. I'm Liz Galloway, your guide behind the scenes of entrepreneurship and business building. Inspired by the award-winning television series, Trending Today, which has been a staple on A&E, Fox Business, and Bloomberg for over 12 years. This podcast is your exclusive backstage pass to the world of top brands and entrepreneurs. Trending Today has a long history of showcasing exceptional companies and visionary leaders across various industries. Our TV show has highlighted the innovations, challenges, and success stories that define today's business landscape. Now, with this podcast, I'm bringing those same in-depth explorations directly to you, featuring conversations with the entrepreneurs and industry pioneers you've seen on the show and more. Each episode, I'll delve into the stories behind the headlines, exploring the pivotal moments and strategies that have driven these businesses to the forefront of their fields. From overcoming obstacles to seizing opportunities, my guests will share their unique journeys and offer valuable insights for entrepreneurs at every stage of their careers. Whether you're a seasoned business leader, an inspiring entrepreneur, or simply fascinated by the world of business, the Trending Today podcast is your go-to source for expert advice, compelling stories, and the latest industry trends. Join me as we explore the heart of entrepreneurship and discover what it takes to build a thriving business in today's ever-evolving market. Stay tuned for more coming up on the Trending Today podcast. Don't forget to like subscribe and download to stay tuned for what's coming up next on the trending today podcast.