On this episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, host Paul Spiegelman speaks with Britt Wiedemann, president and owner of IWI Ventures, a company that runs various organizations in the hospitality industry. Britt is also a mentor in the Small Giants Sounding Board program.
Britt grew up in an entrepreneurial family and was raised on a horse and tobacco farm. Early on, he began adding more and more tools to his toolbox by way of new experiences. From working on his family’s farm, to being an English teacher in Korea, to being a mountain guide for Outward Bound, Britt never shied away from the opportunities that were presented to him. And along the way, he kept an open mind, remained humble, and sought out like-hearted people. With a mix of hard work, curiosity, and luck, Britt’s winding path led him into the hospitality industry. Today, he remains appreciative of all the varied experiences that have led him to where he is today, and continually strives to be the best leader he can be.
Tune into this episode to hear Paul and Britt talk about how Britt came to discover the importance of good culture, what growing up on a farm taught him about entrepreneurship, and why he considers himself the luckiest guy on the planet.
Show Notes:
3:23 - Getting in on the ground floor of fast casual
10:35 - “It turns out, good people won’t serve garbage”
17:45 - Growing up with entrepreneurial DNA
28:00 - How the pandemic changed the hospitality industry
36:35 - “Put tools in your toolbox”
Chelle Neff: Changing the industry, one haircut at a time
Tony + Tony Sr. Maione: Making a Father-Son Business Shine
Jean Pitzo: Building a Culture of Conscious Intelligence
Heidi Baumgart: Empathy and Elbow Grease
Eric Jones: The heavy lifting of purposeful leadership
Andrew Barry: Building a Culture of Learning
Jason Fried: ”Out-teaching” the Competition
Beck Sydow: Removing the Mask
Corey Rosen: Mailbag Episode - Dispelling the Myths of Employee Ownership
Carl Erickson: Give a Sh*t
Lauren Adams: Financials with Heart
Taylor Vanden Hoek: Problem-Solving Through Art
Devyn Bachman: On the Road Again
Lauren Eckhardt: ”You don’t have to be a celebrity to share your life journey.”
Aaron Montgomery: Making Car Dealerships Fun
Hai Nguyen: The Amateur Aficionado
Massimo Backus: Finding Integrity Through Vulnerability
Valerie Webster: Learning Through the Ups and Downs
Eric Rieger: Unpacking the Past
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