How I Transformed My Company by Transforming Myself
Bruce Williams, CEO of US Tool, learned a tough lesson fairly early in his career as second-generation leader of the family-owned specialty manufacturing firm. In this talk from Tugboat Institute Summit 2020, Bruce shares the difficult conversation that served as a catalyst for personal and professional growth and the parallel, positive trajectory of the business over many years that was the result.
Curiosity and 100% Responsibility
As an expert in small-group dynamics and leadership development, Kaley Klemp coaches leaders and organizations in communication and interaction skills to help develop trusting, effective teams. In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2020, Kaley describes the concept of being “above or below the line” in relationships and the three unproductive roles of the “drama triangle,” which can stifle clear communication, creativity, and problem solving. Kaley’s new book, The 80/80 Marriage, explores how these same dynamics show up in intimate relationships.
Leadership Lessons
Allen Serfas founded and leads Assistance Home Care in St. Louis, Missouri, a business he and his wife were inspired to launch after helping to care for his father in law at home over many years. Allen’s personal experience and his unique home care business model reflects an innovative and Purpose-driven approach, informed by a 20+year career in a completely different industry.
Be Brave
Ingrid Carney, Founder and CEO of Ingrid & Isabel, a maternity essentials company, never considered bravery a defining characteristic of her life or her business journey. But now, as she shares in this talk from Tugboat Institute Summit 2020, 20 years after founding her Evergreen business as a new mother, Ingrid has a different view. As she reflects on the many small and big moments of motherhood and entrepreneurship that have led to success and personal growth, she is able to see the through line of bravery in her story and encourages other leaders to do the same.
Transforming Luck Companies through Values, Leadership, and Process
Dr. Tom Epperson serves as President of InnerWill Leadership Institute, which works with companies to navigate challenge and achieve success through values-based leadership.
In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2020, Tom shares the origin story of InnerWill, offering insight into the transformation of the family-owned Luck Companies, and describes the process and impact of integrating and operationalizing values-based leadership.
Building a Great Company from Humble Origins
Bill Roark, Co-Founder of Torch Technologies, Inc., Founder and CEO of Starfish Holdings, Inc., and Founder of Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC, has built a remarkable Evergreen® company in Huntsville, Alabama, with a deep commitment to service. From very humble origins, Bill has been driven to create opportunity and give back, inspiring his team to do the same.
In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2020, Bill shares the path that took him from a tar-paper shack to become Co-Founder of a now $400 million defense contracting company and the philanthropic drive that continues to inspire his work.
Pivoting 101: Caviar, Tattoos, and Bingo
I think we could all agree that the word “pivot” has dominated many of our conversations around business—and life in general—in 2020. Brian Canlis and his team at Canlis restaurant in Seattle are exemplars of the power of the pivot. From transforming the storied fine-dining restaurant to a drive-through, to creating a delivery program, to offering drive-in movies in their parking lot, the team has been on a constant path of adaptation and reinvention.
In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2020, Brian shares insight into the approach that has helped the business thrive over 70 years and the mission that drives the company’s commitment to continue to flex and adapt.
Sustained Growth in an Unprecedented Time
Dr. Gary Kunkle is a leading academic researcher in the area of sustained company growth over time and Founder of Outlier LLC. In this interview with Dave Whorton, Founder and CEO of Tugboat Institute, presented during Tugboat Institute Summit 2020, Gary offers insight into several of the key variables that set sustained growth companies apart and perspective on the role these businesses play in the economy and in communities.
Recipe for Success: How I Incorporated Family and Community into My Business
Alissa Leinonen is the award-winning Founder & CEO of Seattle’s largest and longest running woman-owned catering and boxed-lunch company, Gourmondo Co. What began as a small, four-table lunch spot in Pike Place Market over 20 years ago is now a leader in the Pacific Northwest catering industry. There is much about Alissa and her success that is remarkable, but perhaps most inspiring is her commitment to People First—to her family, her employees, and her community.
In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2020, Alissa describes how that commitment to People First has guided her throughout her journey as an entrepreneur and through the challenges of the COVID period, when over 24-hours in the early days of the pandemic she saw 80 percent of her business disappear. Alissa’s remarkable pivot to serve her community and save her business is an inspiring Evergreen success story.
Leadership in a Time of Uncertainty
Navigating the wake of the COVID pandemic will continue to present challenges and uncertainty for Evergreen businesses. In this period, it can be helpful to look to leaders who have persevered through difficulty and maintained a focus on their purpose and their people.
In this welcome presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2020, Dave Whorton, Founder and CEO of Tugboat Institute, offers insight into George Washington’s exemplary life and career and shares inspiration from this early Evergreen leader.
