Judy Wicks didn’t just open a restaurant. She created a hub for community, activism, and sustainable business. As the founder of the White Dog Café and the Sustainable Business Network, she’s spent decades proving that profit and purpose can thrive together. Judy’s story is about more than food; it’s about building local economies, empowering entrepreneurs, and using business as a force for good. We talk about the movement she helped spark, the lessons she’s learned about values-based leadership, and why local, community-driven solutions are essential for a more equitable future. She shares stories from her early days as a business owner, the turning points that shaped her mission, and how she continues to inspire change-makers, activists, and business leaders around the world.

Chapters:

00:00 Work, family, and values

01:00 Introducing Judy Wicks and her accomplishments

03:00 Life after restaurants: new nonprofits and missions

04:30 Profit with purpose: doing good and making money

06:00 Building community through business

08:00 Living above the shop and localism

10:00 The Free People and Urban Outfitters origin story

13:00 Making business accessible: new, vintage, and free products

15:00 Localism vs. globalization and resilient economies

23:00 Walkable communities and human connection

26:00 Shifting from individualism to community

29:00 Feminine energy, balance, and saving the planet

33:00 Heroes and inspirations: Gandhi, MLK, Jane Jacobs

35:00 What’s next: nonprofits and local supply chains

38:00 Realigning life and business with values

43:00 Powerful Ladies, power, and stepping into it

47:00 Lifelong growth and the importance of self-care

49:00 Leading with heart and generosity

50:00 Where to find Judy and her organizations

51:00 Closing reflections and gratitude

The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms.

Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think.

Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices