The Wow Factor

The Wow Factor

By Brad FormsmaBusinessEntrepreneurship
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The Wow Factor episodes

  • Martin Dingman |Founder & Creative Director at Martin Dingman | Building a Business with Integrity

    Martin and his wife, Gay, started Martin Dingman in 1990 to build a company on the foundation of quality, integrity, and the "Refined Country Life." They have created World Class Leathergoods for the stylish man and enjoyed the honor of being recognized by nationally known publications, including the Robb Report as "America's Best Of The Best, and Forbes magazine as one of "America's 50 Best Companies."

    Martin and his son and Sales Manager, Avery Dingman, join us on The Wow Factor podcast to discuss the importance of kindness, quality, and faith in business. We dig into the challenges of running a family business, including blurred boundaries and how the Dingman family is planning for the future of the business. Martin also shares why they never remove the inspirational Scripture tags from their belts before shipment, no matter who asks them.

    "We put people before profits." - Martin Dingman

    "If you can help somebody, then it's all worth it." - Martin Dingman

    "Keep growing and learning every single day." - Avery Dingman

    This Week on The Wow Factor:

    • Martin reflects on his career, including mentorship from CEO Fred Wilson, and the importance of quality and integrity in business
    • Why Martin decided to create a unique, high-quality clothing line for aspirational men
    • Martin and Avery discuss their brand's unique approach to product development, emphasizing individuality and avoiding conformity
    • Martin emphasizes the importance of integrity and honoring God in business, even if it means sacrificing profits
    • Why they never remove inspirational tags from their belts before shipment, highlighting the company's commitment to integrity
    • The potential challenges of working with family members and how Martin Dingman blends family and business
    • Martin shares a story of a Wisconsin state senator who preferred Martin Dingman belts over other brands because of their high quality and longevity
    • Why they use Proverbs without scripture references
    • The challenges of producing high-quality goods in the US due to cost and availability of skilled labor

    Martin Dingman's Words of Wisdom:

    I have three mission steps for my business. My first goal is to shine a light on Jesus Christ, who is the reason for everything. My second is to reward our employees as best we can because, in reality, they're the ones who are making it happen. The third is to make a profit so we can care for our people.

    Avery Dingman's Words of Wisdom:

    Try to learn and soak up other people's words of wisdom rather than being the guy who acts like he knows everything. Keep learning and growing every single day.

    Connect with Martin Dingman:

    • Martin Dingman Website
    • Martin Dingman on Instagram

    Connect with The WOW Factor:

    • The WOW Factor Website
    • Connect with Brad Formsma via email
    • Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
    • Brad Formsma on Instagram
    • Brad Formsma on Facebook
    • Brad Formsma on Twitter

    56 min
  • Bruce Johnston | Founder of JH Ranch | Instilling Leadership Skill in Our Youth & The "4 C's" - Part 2

    Bruce Johnston is the founder and executive director of JH Ranch and is responsible for developing the ranch curriculum and stewarding the legacy of over 30 years positively impacting families through their leadership programs. Bruce Johnson's father, Gene, purchased the 300-acre hunting lodge in Northern California to fulfill a promise he made as a young man to invest the resources God provided in a manner that would have eternal value. JH Ranch opened in 1980 with a leadership program for high schoolers and subsequently opened JH Outback, which focuses on providing a unique opportunity for families to invest in fun, meaningful time together away from everyday distractions.

    Bruce joins me again today to discuss how he and his team distilled the JH Ranch programs into the JH Outback experience, why they were so committed to making it happen, then why they decided to take the experience worldwide. He shares what he has learned about leaders over the years, some of the characteristics they have in common in terms of what they struggle with, some of the landmines that can litter their paths, and the things they tend to excel at. Bruce also shares stories of the love and respect that his father Gene inspired in visitors to JH Ranch and how Bruce continues to pay tribute to his father and amplify his legacy.

    "We get up every morning, and we eat problems for breakfast than just live on miracles the rest of the day." - Bruce Johnston

    "When people catch the vision, and then we give them a blueprint of how they can replicate it in their city, it becomes their ministry that they own. And the impact is just in a community is really transformational." - Bruce Johnston

    "You will never experience significance in life until what you do contributes to the welfare of another - God made us that way, that it is more blessed to give than to receive." - Bruce Johnston

    This week on The Wow Factor:

    • The importance of staying true to your God and to your purpose to grow and achieve your goals

    • How family members can build, strengthen and restore relationships at JH Outback

    • Why it is critical to be generous in your abundance and why Bruce understands his father's motivation for investing in the JH Ranch rather than hoarding wealth for his family

    • Why it sometimes takes adversity to accomplish true success

    • The importance of taking the initiative in life and acting in the moment to ensure positive relationships with your kids going forwards

    • How Bruce built a relationship with a neighbor and expanded to Scott River Lodge, where couples can enjoy activities that help enrich their marriages

    • The six most important words in a marriage and how Bruce discovered the truth of how to resolve issues in a marriage and grow together

    Bruce Johnston's Words of Wisdom:

    People spend their entire lives creating their identity, how they want other people to perceive them by trying to impress them, by climbing ladders in pursuit of success. Our lives become motivated by people and pursuits, and possessions so that we feel valued. What we should realize is that our value comes from God. He already loves you, just as you are. There may be plenty of growth opportunities ahead of us, but in the meantime, He still loves you right where you am.

    Connect with Bruce Johnston:

    • JH Ranch Website

    • JH Ranch on Facebook

    • JH Ranch on Instagram

    • JH Ranch on Twitter

    Connect with The WOW Factor:

    • The WOW Factor Website

    • Connect with Brad Formsma via email

    • Brad Formsma on LinkedIn

    • Brad Formsma on Instagram

    • Brad Formsma on Facebook

    • Brad Formsma on Twitter

    53 min
  • Bruce Johnston | Founder of JH Ranch | Instilling Leadership Skill in Our Youth & The "4 C's"

    In 1979, Gene Johnston, father of Bruce Johnson, purchased a 300-acre hunting lodge in Northern California to fulfill a promise he made to the Lord as a young man to invest the resources God provided in a manner that would have eternal value. JH Ranch opened in 1980 with a leadership program for high schoolers named Second Wind, which has subsequently been recognized as one of the most effective youth leadership programs in America. Bruce Johnston is the founder and executive director of JH Ranch and is responsible for developing the JH Ranch curriculum and the stewardship of the legacy of over 30 years positively impacting families.

    Bruce joins me today to share the chance event that saw Gene Johnston, Bruce's father, discover JH ranch and why Bruce accepted his invitation to do something meaningful with the property. He describes how they kept moving forward with their mission to turn the ranch into something that would help young people despite an inauspicious start to its first summer in business. Bruce also gives a little of the backstory on how he came up with the '4 Cs' that inform his approach to creating leadership strategies for young people, why we need to be mindful of our children's personalities when planning how to support and guide them.

    "I learned at an early age that money comes from hard work." - Bruce Johnston

    "Within the sacrifice of giving, God is developing us into the people he wants us to become." - Bruce Johnston

    "God tells me that my value comes from him and what he thinks about me and what he tells me is that he already loves me just like I am, not as I should be. " - Bruce Johnston

    This week on The Wow Factor:

    • Bruce's family life as the second oldest in the family and how being given 'nothing' inspired him to entrepreneurship in the first grade and has continued all his life
    • Why his father told him he would be left a legacy rather than an inheritance so that his life was invested into something other than ourselves
    • Why building a solid foundation is critical to achieving your goals
    • How Bruce conceived of his vision for the Second Wind Leadership program
    • What is Lakeside Chat? And how Bruce helps parents to understand how to effectively coach their children through their teenage years with specific goals in mind
    • How the parent-child workshops came about and why the JH values remain so attractive to families in the twenty-first century
    • The strategy Bruce used to help his son understand the growing up process and why the transition process for the parents from cop to coach is equally important
    • The value statement that Bruce chose for his family and why they make that a pillar of their lives
    • Why it is vital to have a shared goal and a shared challenge to forge lasting bonds
    • His genius idea of the Outback Program and why he was so passionate about this community model of leadership for young people
    • A walkthrough of the programs JH Ranch offers and how they progress as students grow up
    • Why the ranch is adventure-based but content-driven and how that works in the rural setting and activities on the ranch

    Connect with Bruce Johnston:

    • JH Ranch Website
    • JH Ranch on Facebook
    • JH Ranch on Instagram
    • JH Ranch on Twitter

    Connect with The WOW Factor:

    • I Like Giving: The Transforming Power of a Generous Life by Brad Formsma
    • Words of Wisdom Website
    • Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
    • Brad Formsma on Instagram
    • Brad Formsma on Facebook
    • Brad Formsma on Twitter
    57 min
  • Jim Daly |President of Focus on the Family | Focusing on Family

    Jim Daly is President of Focus on the Family and hosts its daily radio program, Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, heard by over 6 million weekly listeners on nearly 2,000 radio stations across the U.S. The show has been honored as Program of the Year by the National Religious Broadcasters (NRB). In March, Jim celebrated his 35th anniversary with the ministry. Jim's past awards include: World Children's Center Humanitarian Award (2008), the Children's Hunger Fund Children's Champion Award (2009), and the HomeWord Family Ministry Award (2010). Newsweek named him one of the Top 10 next-generation evangelical leaders of influence.

    On today's show, Jim and Brad discuss their personal experiences with childhood trauma and emotional triggers in marriage, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging and addressing these experiences to avoid letting them define one's identity or future. They also discussed strategies for transitioning leadership in various contexts, highlighting the importance of humility, vulnerability, and generosity. Both speakers emphasized the need for emotional vulnerability and healthier ways to handle triggers in marriage, citing statistics on the benefits of a stable home environment.

    "God's given us these mechanisms to deal with tough stuff." - Jim Daly

    "You can't just say it once and assume it's understood and done." - Jim Daly

    "Amplify the good things and correct the bad things." - Jim Daly

    This Week on The Wow Factor:

    • Jim shares details about growing up in Southern California and experiencing family trauma as a child
    • Jim's initial role at Focus working with donors and using his language skills to help build the international outreach
    • Some of the traits of founders, such as tenacity, detail orientation, and control that, can make leadership transitions difficult
    • The importance of communication, inviting challenging feedback, and checking ego as a leader
    • Jim's reflections on learning emotional vulnerability in his marriage
    • Why humility is the thing that allows you to get through this life
    • Jim shares details on Focus' strategic areas, including helping people coming to Christ and building the marriage ministry Hope Restored to help couples stay together
    • Focus' goals around reducing Christian divorce rates and expanding their marriage recovery programs
    • Other areas that Focus is concentrating on including parenting resources and advocating for life and mothers in crisis pregnancies

    Jim Daly's Words of Wisdom:

    It is critically important in leadership to know who you are, then live that meaning, amplify the good things, and correct the bad things.

    Connect with Jim Daly:

    • Focus on the Family Website

    Connect with The WOW Factor:

    • The WOW Factor Website
    • Connect with Brad Formsma via email
    • Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
    • Brad Formsma on Instagram
    • Brad Formsma on Facebook
    • Brad Formsma on Twitter

    45 min
  • Tammie Jo Shults| Author, Naval Aviator and Retired Southwest Airlines Captain: Habits, Hope, and Heroes

    Captain Tammie Jo Shults, author of Nerves of Steel, is a Naval aviator and retired Southwest Airlines Captain who received nationwide acclaim when she and her Southwest Airlines crew successfully landed a passenger-filled Boeing 737 that suffered catastrophic engine failure mid-flight. Tammie Jo's previous career in the US Navy as one of the first female F/A-18 Hornet pilots gave her plenty of experience in aviation and leadership, which she took to Southwest Airlines when she left the Navy in 1995.

    Tammie Jo joins me today to discuss how she came to be interested in pursuing a career as a pilot but why it was such a challenge to be taken seriously as a woman and have her application considered by the US Navy. She shares details of her daily routine on the days that she is scheduled to fly and why she always carves out some quiet time at the start of her day to read and share passages from the scriptures with her family. Tammie Jo also discusses the events of April 17, 2018, when the plane she was flying suffered severe damage and how her faith, experience, and training allowed her to manage the events and be emotionally present for the passengers and crew in the immediate aftermath.

    "Hope changes people: when you have a plan and a destination you need to communicate it" - Tammie Jo Shults

    This week on The Wow Factor:

    • The trajectory changing decision Tammie Jo's parents made to help her thrive at school
    • The advice from her mother that helped her fit in at Bootcamp
    • What it's like to land an airplane on an aircraft carrier and how her decision loop works
    • Why she left the Navy and joined Southwest Airlines
    • The power of the generosity ripple
    • The importance of open lines of communication
    • Why calm was a gift in the cockpit of Flight 1380
    • What a sense of community does during a stressful incident and the parallels with the parable of the Good Samaritan
    • Why Tammie Jo felt moved to connect with passengers after the plane landed

    Tammie Jo Shults' Words of Wisdom:

    The good habits, hope, and heroes that influence us every day become instincts, and it is essential to understand as a leader that how you behave in turn, influences and affects other people.

    Connect with Tammie Jo Shults:

    • Captain Shults' Website
    • Facebook Captain Shults
    • Instagram Captain Shults
    • Twitter Captain Shults

    Connect with The WOW Factor:

    • The WOW Factor Website
    • Connect with Brad Formsma via email
    • Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
    • Brad Formsma on Instagram
    • Brad Formsma on Facebook
    • Brad Formsma on Twitter

    58 min
  • Tom Monaghan | Founder of Domino's Pizza and Founder, Chancellor and Member of the Board of Trustees for Ave Maria University | Finding Your Purpose as a Leader

    Tom Monaghan is the Founder of Domino's Pizza and Founder, Chancellor and Member of the Board of Trustees for Ave Maria University. He is known as a wildly successful entrepreneur, the founder of Domino's Pizza, an avid collector of Frank Lloyd Wright items and the former owner of the Detroit Tigers. If his story stopped there, he might seem to fit in with other savvy entrepreneurs whose hard work and ingenuity paid off. But his greatest personal achievements came later in life, when Tom decided to fully immerse himself in charitable works, Catholic philanthropy and the call to help restore Catholic higher education.

    This week on The Wow Factor, we're welcoming Tom Monaghan to share his personal journey of accumulating wealth, but finding no lasting joy. He shares what helped him understand the sin of pride and find a more meaningful life. Tom also discusses why he feels called to use his wealth and resources to help others through education and philanthropy and emphasizes the importance of faith in his personal and collective leadership journey.

    "I want to do the will of God." - Tom Monaghan

    "Get to heaven and take as many people with you as possible." - Tom Monaghan

    "The best thing I can do for my fellow man is help them get to heaven." - Tom Monaghan

    This Week on The Wow Factor:

    • Why Tom joined the Marine Corps
    • How he revolutionized pizza delivery with innovations like cardboard boxes and conveyor ovens
    • Tom recounts some of the challenges of running a pizza business, particularly in cooking the volume of pizzas ordered
    • How Tom dealt with the threat of the business failing, and why he felt he was the man who should be in the driving seat
    • Tom shares his five rules for life, which include prioritizing what's important and avoiding distractions as a way to maintain focus and discipline in leadership
    • How Tom prioritizes spiritual, social, mental, physical, and financial well-being, and why that helped him turn around a huge company in 5 years
    • More about Tom's spiritual journey and why he sold his business to devote his full time to Catholic philanthropy
    • Why Tom decided to start a university to promote excellence and faithfulness in Catholic education
    • Tom's insights on giving away money and time, encouraging younger people to read books on generosity and find joy in giving

    Tom Monaghan's Words of Wisdom:

    Aim to get to heaven and take as many people with you as possible.

    More about Tom Monaghan:

    • Ave Maria University

    Connect with The WOW Factor:

    • The WOW Factor Website
    • Connect with Brad Formsma via email
    • Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
    • Brad Formsma on Instagram
    • Brad Formsma on Facebook
    • Brad Formsma on Twitter
    43 min
  • Brad Martin | Chairman of RBM Ventures, Vice Chairman of FedEx Corporation, and Retired Chairman and CEO of Saks Incorporated

    Brad Martin has significant experience in leadership, corporate strategy, public company governance, and entrepreneurial ventures. He served nearly 20 years as Chairman and CEO of Saks Incorporated. During his tenure, the enterprise grew from a $70 million annual revenue 10-store chain into one of the largest department store businesses in the United States. He has previously served on the Boards of Caesars Entertainment, Dillard's, Chesapeake Energy, First Horizon, Gaylord Entertainment, Lululemon Athletica, and Ruby Tuesday. Brad served five terms as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives and was Interim President of the University of Memphis from 2013 – 2014 and he also chairs the Board of the Martin Family Foundation.

    Brad is with me on the show this week to share his personal journeys in leadership, service, and business growth. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, humility, and continuous learning, as well as how taking calculated risks and visualizing success has helped him move forward professionally and personally. We also dig into the value of service and the need for perseverance, resilience, and mindfulness in the face of challenges.

    "The question is, are you willing to risk embarrassment?" - Brad Martin

    "The best leaders I have ever met are continuously trying to learn and to get better." - Brad Martin

    "Business can play a huge role in service, growth, and the betterment of a community" - Brad Martin

    This Week on The Wow Factor:

    • Why Brad ran for Tennessee House of Representatives at 20 years old, despite being up against a seasoned politician
    • How tenacity and belief in your vision can lead to success
    • How Brad uses visualization techniques to help him stay focused and motivated
    • Why sometimes you need to take risks and face potential embarrassment for personal growth
    • How to develop a clear vision and action plan for achieving your goals
    • Brad discusses storytelling in leadership and decision-making and why it moves you forward
    • How Brad unexpectedly found purpose in business when he realized business could make a positive impact
    • The impact of seeking mentors on your success and the importance of being humble and teachable
    • Reflections on Brad's 20-year career at companies like Saks, Lululemon, and FedEx
    • Understanding and being aware of the potential consequences of our actions, whether positive or negative, and why it's important to be more forgiving of people who make mistakes

    Brad Martin's Words of Wisdom:

    As a leader, it is absolutely critical to be a continuous learner and model that for your team. It doesn't matter how old you are, what job you have, or what you've accomplished—there's always more you can learn.

    Connect with Brad Martin:

    • R. Brad Martin's Website

    Connect with The WOW Factor:

    • The WOW Factor Website
    • Connect with Brad Formsma via email
    • Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
    • Brad Formsma on Instagram
    • Brad Formsma on Facebook
    • Brad Formsma on Twitter
    47 min
  • Lt Col Dan Rooney: Air Force Fighter Pilot and Founder of The Folds of Honor Foundation | The Power of Synchronicity: Lt Col Dan's Journey of Faith, Leadership, and Purpose

    Lt Col Dan Rooney, an Air Force fighter pilot and a force for good. From humble beginnings above his garage, he founded The Folds of Honor Foundation to provide educational scholarships to the families of disabled or fallen military members, and, beginning in 2022, the mission was expanded to include first responders. In his new book, FLY INTO THE WIND: How to Harness Faith and Fearlessness on Your Ascent to Greatness, Lt Col Rooney demonstrates how we are all connected by God, and the path to fulfillment begins with changing ourselves to better one another.

    Lt Col Dan shares his faith in the concept of synchronicity and how chance and purpose allow God to bring people into our lives that shape us. He shares the incident that planted the seed of Folds of Honor in Lt Col Dan's mind and the moment he felt the hand of God on his shoulder calling him to do something more significant with his life. He also explains why he believes that all great leaders need to take that big step and have the courage to take action before they are ready, and surrender to a higher force.

    "Great leaders have got vision, and they've got humility." - Lt Col Dan Rooney

    "Resistance isn't placed in our lives to keep us down. It's actually in our lives to raise us up." - Lt Col Dan Rooney

    "You are the sky; everything else is the weather." - Lt Col Dan Rooney

    This Week on The Wow Factor:

    • Dan's early life and the lessons about hard work that his very first job at the Stillwater Country Club, Oklahoma, taught him
    • The chance encounter that made him realize what he wanted to do with his life
    • How Lt Col Dan came to be compared to Tiger Woods
    • Some of the challenges that Lt Col Dan has encountered in his life, including recognizing that his ego was getting in his way
    • Lt Col Dan's code of living based on CAVU (Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited) and how he used it to get through some tough times
    • Lt Col Dan shares the two most significant barriers to achieving your goals
    • The power of forgiveness and how getting rid of that parasitic drag can transform your life
    • The importance of having a routine in staying motivated
    • Why Lt Col Dan firmly believes that if you write your plans down, they are more likely to happen in your life
    • Why Lt Col Dan appealed to Jack Nicklaus to support American Dunes and how it helped them raise $1.1 million for Folds of Honor

    Lt Col Dan Rooney's Word of Wisdom:

    Go before you're ready. The single strand of DNA that ties every great leader together is the understanding that you'll never have all the answers, but if you have the courage and faith to go before you're ready, people will follow you.

    Connect with Lt Col Dan Rooney:

    • Lt Col. Dan Rooney's Website
    • Lt Col Dan Rooney on LinkedIn
    • Lt Col Dan Rooney on Instagram
    • Lt Col Dan Rooney on Facebook
    • Lt Col Dan Rooney on Twitter
    • Fly Into the Wind: How to Harness Faith and Fearlessness on your Ascent to Greatness by Lt Col Dan Rooney
    • A Patriot's Calling: My Life As An F-16 Fighter Pilot, by Lt Col Dan Rooney

    Connect with Folds of Honor:

    • Folds of Honor Website
    • Folds of Honor on LinkedIn
    • Folds of Honor on Instagram
    • Folds of Honor on Facebook
    • Folds of Honor on Twitter

    Connect with The WOW Factor:

    • The WOW Factor Website
    • Connect with Brad Formsma via email
    • Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
    • Brad Formsma on Instagram
    • Brad Formsma on Facebook
    • Brad Formsma on Twitter
    42 min
  • Tim Goeglein | Vice President of External and Government Relations for Focus on the Family | The Best Days are Yet to Come

    Tim Goeglein is Vice President of External and Government Relations for Focus on the Family. Formerly, he served as a special assistant to President George W. Bush and as a deputy director of the White House Office of Public Liaison. He was the President's principal outreach contact for conservative and faith-based groups. Tim's extensive resumé includes serving as a senior fellow at The Heritage Foundation and as a communications director for U.S. Senator Dan Coats of Indiana and Gary Bauer at the Campaign for Working Families. Tim has authored a memoir, "The Man in the Middle: Faith and Politics in the George W. Bush Era," and his latest book is titled "American Restoration."

    Tim joins me on The Wow Factor podcast to discuss the intersection of faith and politics, sharing his personal experiences and perspectives. Tim shares how his faith informs his political views, the significance of remembering and understanding American history and religion, and the importance of literacy and critical thinking in maintaining a constitutional republic. Tim also talks more about why he feels so positive about the future of the USA and explains a little about why the least likely heroes can play a significant role in restoration and renewal.

    "History is ultimately fact-based. It's not it's not opinionated narrative." - Tim Goeglein

    "Millions of Americans want something better." - Tim Goeglein

    "The absolute best days for the United States of America are ahead of us, not behind us." - Tim Goeglein

    This Week on The Wow Factor:

    • Tim shares his unexpected journey from intern to press secretary in the U.S. Senate for ten years
    • How Thomas Jefferson and James Madison became key figures in the country's founding and the influence of God in the Constitutional Convention
    • The importance of civic literacy and involvement in maintaining a truly constitutional republic
    • The importance of teaching American history and God's word to our young people, and why Tim thinks there is currently a lack of knowledge among students about biblical figures and historical documents
    • Why the Founding Fathers emphasized virtue, integrity, and character as the key to building a constitutional republic
    • Why Tim is an optimist who sees seedlings of restoration and regeneration in homeschooling's booming popularity
    • Why we should prioritize teaching children generosity and the impact it will have on their lives
    • More about Tim's new book "Stumbling Toward Utopia" and how it explores 1960s ideas and their impact on current society, offering solutions for progress

    Tim Goeglein's Words of Wisdom:

    The least likely men and women, the ones that you think are the least likely ones to be at the forefront of restoration, renewal, and regeneration, are very often the ones God himself uses to move forward.

    Connect with Tim Goeglein:

    • Focus on the Family Website
    • Toward a More Perfect Union: The Moral and Cultural Case for Teaching the Great American Story by Tim Goeglein

    Connect with The WOW Factor:

    • The WOW Factor Website
    • Connect with Brad Formsma via email
    • Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
    • Brad Formsma on Instagram
    • Brad Formsma on Facebook
    • Brad Formsma on Twitter
    33 min
  • Paul Saber | President & CEO Manna Development Group, LLC | Being a True Servant Leader

    Paul Saber has been a restaurant owner since 1980. He was the Owner/Operator of McDonald's restaurants from 1985-2001. In 2003, Paul became President and CEO of Manna Development Group, LLC, and currently holds the Area Development Agreement for Panera Bread. In 2022, Paul was the recipient of the Fierce Brand Love Award. Paul served on the Board of Directors of several Christian ministries and served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association from 2007 to 2009.

    I'm excited to have Paul Saber on the podcast this week to share his experiences and insights on balancing business and faith. Paul shares his entrepreneurial journey and discusses his time working with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. We dive deep into the significance of prayer in business decision-making, with Paul sharing a personal anecdote about his time working with Billy Graham. Paul also shares his thoughts on the intersection of leadership and faith, emphasizing the importance of value, inspiring employees, and giving back to the community.

    "We laid the foundation of wanting to truly be here to serve others." - Paul Saber

    "Everything is about prayer and the commitment to Christ." - Paul Saber

    "Have we asked the Lord if this is right for us?" - Paul Saber

    This Week on The Wow Factor:

    • Paul shares more about his introduction to the world of work and how his father taught him the value of buying things by having him count customers and calculate profits at a young age
    • The tragedy of Paul's brother's death and how Mark influenced Paul over the years, including introducing him to Jesus
    • Why Paul was committed to starting a business with a focus on people, not location or restaurant concept
    • How Paul built a team at Panera Bread with a strong focus on loving God and caring for people, which led to the company's success
    • Paul shares a personal story of demonstrating servanthood by washing the feet of employees
    • Paul and his wife launched Share the Dough to give back to communities and employees in need
    • How Share the Dough provides scholarships, gives back to employees, and supports women and children in need across 14 states
    • Paul's experience of working for Billy Graham and Franklin Graham and highlights the impact it had on his personal and professional life
    • The importance of prayer in leadership with Billy Graham's legacy

    Paul Saber's Words of Wisdom:

    The most important thing we do isn't the performance or figuring out the details of what's needed. It is prayer and whether we have asked the Lord if something is right for us.

    Connect with Paul Saber:

    • Manna Development Website

    Connect with The WOW Factor:

    • The WOW Factor Website
    • Connect with Brad Formsma via email
    • Brad Formsma on LinkedIn
    • Brad Formsma on Instagram
    • Brad Formsma on Facebook
    • Brad Formsma on Twitter
    45 min

About The Wow Factor

From the publisher's feed

Leading with excellence is not something that happens overnight. Join Brad Formsma, best-selling author and a Forbes top-rated leadership speaker, as he dives in to uncover the extraordinary stories…

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