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”
Anisa Telwar Kaicker: Can Leaders Change?
Dan Kenary: Core Values, ESOPs, and Craft Beer
Elizabeth Colón: Turn Your Fear Into Fuel
Megan Driscoll: Do It for Your Daughters
Mike Draper: You Can't Fake Authenticity
Tracy Dahlin: Confidence and Competence
Lester Thornhill: The Answer Is Around the Corner
David Bolotsky: The Hard Way Is the Only Enduring Way
Michael Spinosa: From Corporate Culture to Open Culture
Ellyn Davidson: How Leaders Survive Tragedy
Howard Spector: Is It Too Late to Find Your True Calling?
Betsy Pepine: The Best Lessons Are Learned the Hard Way
Zawadi Bryant: Your Team Is Your Best Leading Indicator
Shawn Askinosie: Can Chocolate Change the World?
Webb Weiman: What's Left on Your Bucket List?
Anese Cavanaugh: How You Show Up in the World
Episode 17: Jon Dwoskin
Episode 16: Larry Jones
Episode 15: Max Spielberg
Episode 14: Matthew Rosenberg
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