BusinessEntrepreneurshipManagement

Growing with Purpose

Jean Moncrieff

Jean Moncrieff chats with business leaders about what shaped their business and life.

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23 episodes
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#124
November 3 · 1 hr
Shari Erdman & Kyle Smith: Rebuilding Trust When the Business Is on the Line
Reell reached its highest revenue ever, but the company was losing money. The difficult decisions that followed tested its leadership, culture, and trust. The downturn exposed problems that had been building for years. Reell’s leaders had to make hard choices to stabilize the business while working to rebuild trust with coworkers and keep the company’s values in view. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff talks with Shari Erdman, Reell’s CEO since June 2024, and Dr. Kyle E. Smith, Reell’s former CEO/President and current board member, about the company’s journey through that difficult period and what helped it find its footing again. Shari and Kyle share why honest communication, clear priorities, and hiring for values mattered to Reell’s recovery. They also reflect on how a company can hold onto its founding principles while its culture and leadership evolve. Jean, Shari, and Kyle also discuss the importance of taking time to reflect, adapting plans as circumstances change, and building a business that can keep making a positive impact for years to come. Key themes include: Rebuilding trust during a difficult business turnaround Making hard decisions to restore the company’s financial health Communicating openly with coworkers through periods of change Hiring and onboarding people who share the company’s values Adapting plans as business conditions shift Navigating the opportunities and challenges of employee ownership Carrying founding values through leadership transitions Building a company that can continue to make a positive impact
#123
October 22 · 50 min
David McLeod: The Wake-Up Call That Nearly Didn’t Happen
What does it take to keep growing without becoming the bottleneck? For David McLeod, it meant changing how he led and learning to trust his team with more ownership. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with David McLeod, co-founder and CEO of Backbone, about building a business through different stages of growth and recognizing when the way you lead needs to change. David reflects on the pressure of carrying too much himself, the moment he realized he had become a bottleneck, and the changes that helped him step back from day-to-day decisions. He shares how clear priorities and accountability have helped his leadership team take greater ownership. Jean and David discuss making time to think about the future, delegating with clarity and trust, and building a business that can grow without depending on one person to hold everything together. Key themes include: Recognizing when a founder has become a bottleneck Adapting the business as it grows Finding focus in a changing market Making time for strategic thinking Building clarity and accountability across a team Delegating while staying available to support Trusting people to take ownership Creating a calmer, more sustainable business
#122
October 13 · 52 min
Arnon Oren: Make It Delicious and Create Moments People Remember
What does it mean to “make it delicious” at work? For Arnon Oren, it means giving people the trust and responsibility to make something they are proud of, while creating experiences that bring people together. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Arnon Oren, founder of Anaviv, about the lessons behind building a business that brings people together and helps its team grow. Arnon shares how he found his way from washing dishes to a career in food, and how working at Chez Panisse shaped his approach to respect, creativity and ownership. He reflects on navigating the challenges of COVID, writing a ten-year vision and helping his team see a future they can build together. Jean and Arnon explore what it means to “make it delicious” beyond the kitchen: giving people the space to take responsibility, creating food that elevates a gathering, and building a business that nourishes connection. They also discuss learning through experience, making room for curiosity and creating moments people remember. Key themes include: Giving employees ownership and room for creativity Treating every team member with respect Adapting through difficult business challenges Writing and sharing a long-term vision Growing the business by helping its people grow Creating food and experiences that bring people together Making the gathering, not the food, the star Building a business with lasting meaning
#121
September 10 · 50 min
Jay Goltz: The Hard Truths About Growth, Hiring, and Profitability
Hiring Better. Pricing for Profit. Growing with Intention. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Jay Goltz, Founder and CEO of The Goltz Group and the entrepreneur who coined the term “Small Giants,” about the hard-earned lessons behind building a great company. Looking back on nearly five decades in business, Jay shares how his picture-framing company grew from one employee to more than 100, despite having no mentor or roadmap to follow. He reflects on the costly mistakes that shaped him as a leader, from underpricing his services and hiring the wrong people, to learning that being people-centered does not mean avoiding difficult decisions. Jean and Jay explore what truly defines a Small Giant: caring for customers, treating employees well, protecting the profitability of the business, and never allowing growth to undermine those priorities. They also discuss navigating changing markets, preparing for succession, and why founders should stop worshipping the “growth gods” and instead build businesses that remain aligned with the lives they want to lead. Key themes include: Hiring the right people through strong, intentional processes Pricing for profit instead of competing to be the cheapest Why rapid growth does not always mean a healthy business Staying focused on customers when things go wrong Why people-centered leadership still requires difficult decisions Being kind without becoming a pushover Choosing aligned growth over worshipping the “growth gods” Preparing both the business and its owner for succession
#120
August 5 · 49 min
Larry Levine: The Relationships You Build Drive the Business You Grow
Building Trust. Guarding Your Time. Getting Back to the Basics. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Larry Levine, Author, Podcast host, and Co-Founder of the agency Selling from the Heart, all of which speak to the issue of founder development, and how they can modernize their approach to sales without losing their authenticity and personal touch. Drawing on more than three decades in sales, Larry explains why nobody should be able to “out-care” you and why trust, empathy and genuine connection produce real business results. He shares how he built Selling from the Heart from scratch, the discipline of prospecting every day, and why founders should prioritize consistent communication with their ideal customers over chasing trends. Jean and Larry also explore how leaders can guard their time for revenue-generating work, uncover what truly motivates their salespeople, and use data to avoid costly hiring mistakes. At the heart of the conversation is a simple message: future-proofing sales does not require another shortcut or shiny object. It starts with doing the fundamentals exceptionally well and making business development non-negotiable. Key themes include: Building trust through empathy and genuine relationships Why nobody should be able to “out-care” you Cutting through noise and avoiding shiny objects Making prospecting a daily non-negotiable Guarding time for revenue-generating activities Helping salespeople strengthen their heartset and mindset Using data to make better sales hires Future-proofing sales by getting back to the basics
#119
July 21 · 45 min
Sam Adiv: The Culture You Build Is the Company You Become
Building Community. Leading with Intention. Staying Human in the Age of AI. In this episode of Growing with Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Sam Adiv, Founder and CEO of OpenTent and the Community Builder Group, about creating a company rooted in relationships, meaningful rituals and genuine community. Sam shares how his original plan to become a rabbi unexpectedly led him into entrepreneurship. After teaching himself Salesforce to support a community-building nonprofit, he began helping other organizations improve their systems. What started as a side project grew into OpenTent, where Sam found a new way to combine technology, leadership and community building. He also shares the intentional rhythms that keep his remote team connected, why rest is built into the company calendar and how OpenTent turned a major client mistake into an opportunity to strengthen trust. Jean and Sam explore hiring for context rather than simply seeking “A players,” choosing the right company size and building a business that can operate without its founder. They also discuss navigating AI with creativity rather than fear and why relationships, trust, imagination and leadership will remain powerful differentiators as technology changes how we work. Key themes include: Building culture through rhythms and rituals Creating connection within remote teams Turning mistakes into stronger client relationships Hiring for organizational fit Choosing quality over growth for growth’s sake Building a company that can operate without its founder Staying human and creative in the age of AI
#118
June 18 · 43 min
Nenuca Syquia: Better by Design, Building a Company People Would Pay to Work At
From Corporate to Founder. Navigating Growth. Building with Intention. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Nenuca Syquia, Founder and CEO of Better Organizations by Design (BOxD), about building a business that grows without losing sight of what matters most. Nenuca shares her journey from corporate leadership to launching BOxD just before the pandemic, stepping into entrepreneurship without a network and building a client base from scratch. What began as a desire to do more meaningful work quickly became a test of resilience, as she navigated uncertainty, rejection and the realities of scaling a business. This conversation explores what it takes to grow with intention, how to avoid “success disasters” where growth outpaces delivery, and why building systems and teams is more important than relying on the founder. Nenuca also reflects on the personal side of leadership, from pressure and fear to learning how to trust others and not carry everything alone. Key themes include: Intentional growth vs growth for its own sake Scaling without compromising delivery Reframing sales from selling to helping Building systems and reducing founder dependency Handling rejection and making tough people decisions Aligning business growth with personal purpose A grounded and honest conversation for leaders who want to build something meaningful and sustainable over the long term.
#117
April 15 · 46 min
Adria Marshall: Scaling a Business While Staying True to Your Values
From Side Hustle to Purpose-Driven Growth. Staying True to What Matters. Building with Intention. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Adria Marshall, Founder of EcoSlay, about building a business rooted in values, sustainability, and community. Adria shares her journey from engineer to accidental entrepreneur, creating her own haircare products in her kitchen after struggling to find options that truly worked for her. What began as a personal experiment quickly turned into something much bigger, with orders flooding in almost overnight and forcing her to navigate rapid growth in real time. This conversation explores what it takes to scale a business without compromising your standards, how values can guide difficult decisions, and why success should be defined by more than just revenue. Adria also reflects on the importance of community, mentorship, and building a company that aligns with who you are at your core. Key themes include: Values-driven decision making Scaling without compromise Sustainability and ingredient integrity Defining success beyond revenue Community and mentorship Building a business with purpose A grounded and honest conversation for leaders who want to grow something meaningful without losing sight of what matters most.
#116
February 25 · 57 min
Brandon Neely: Profit, Purpose, and the Discipline to Build What Lasts
Profit. Purpose. Financial Clarity. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff sits down with Brandon Neely, real estate investor, entrepreneur, Co-Founder and CEO of Wealth Wisdom Financial and founder of Counterflow, for an honest conversation about money, systems, and what it really takes to build a business that lasts. Brandon shares the story of launching a purpose-driven coffee shop during the 2008 financial crisis, bootstrapping the business through community support, and navigating personal hardship, financial strain, and a flood that nearly wiped everything out. That season reshaped how he thinks about profit, stability, and leadership. Today, Brandon helps business owners create financial structures that support long-term resilience. As a Profit First Professional and Bank On Yourself Professional, he focuses on helping operators build strong cash flow systems that give them flexibility and peace of mind. This conversation explores: • Why entrepreneurship requires a true sense of calling • What most business owners misunderstand about profit • How financial chaos affects marriages, families, and leadership • The connection between personal wealth and business health • Why stillness and self-awareness matter in financial decision-making • Building systems that create stability, not stress At its core, this episode is a reminder that profit is not selfish. When approached intentionally, it becomes a tool for stewardship, resilience, and long-term impact. A thoughtful conversation for leaders who want their business and their life to work together, not compete with each other.
#115
January 29 · 58 min
Ashish Kothari: Rethinking Success, Happiness, and Leadership
High Performance. High Well-Being. Redefining Success. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with Ashish Kothari, Founder and CEO of Happiness Squad, about success, well-being, and what it truly means to live and lead a meaningful life. Ashish reflects on his journey from a high-pressure career at McKinsey to a deeper exploration of happiness, purpose, and human connection. He shares how anxiety and burnout became powerful catalysts for personal transformation, and why redefining success is essential for leaders who want to sustain both high performance and a fulfilling life. This conversation explores why high performance demands high well-being, the role of relationships and community in flourishing leadership, and how small, consistent micro-practices can create lasting change. Ashish also challenges common misconceptions about happiness, reminding us that it is not something to chase, but a byproduct of living with purpose, service, and care for others. Key themes include: High performance and high well-being Burnout and personal transformation Redefining success and significance Relationships and community Micro-practices for sustainable change Purpose-driven leadership A thoughtful and grounding conversation for leaders seeking to build lives and organizations that truly flourish.
#114
January 14 · 54 min
John Costello: Letting Go to Build a Company That Lasts
Leading with Purpose. Building a Values-Driven Business. In this episode of Growing With Purpose, Jean Moncrieff speaks with John Costello, owner of Cherry’s Industrial Equipment Corp, about his leadership journey and the evolution of building a values-driven company. John reflects on aligning personal and company values, navigating the emotional challenges of ownership, and learning how to let go in order to empower others. He shares why transparency, gratitude, and employee well-being are foundational to strong business culture, and why running a purpose-driven company is harder, but ultimately more fulfilling. This conversation explores the balance between hard and soft skills, the realities of leadership growth, and the lasting impact businesses can have on their people and communities. Key themes include: Purpose-driven leadership Company values and culture Transparency and trust Employee engagement Community impact Personal growth as a leader A thoughtful and honest conversation for leaders who believe business can be a force for good.
#113
Dec 4, 2025 · 54 min
Megan Gluth: The Truth About Leading Through Uncertainty
In this episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, host Jean Moncrieff sits down with Megan Gluth, CEO of Catalynt, for an honest conversation about resilience, self-awareness and leading with steadiness in uncertain times. Megan shares her journey from an “accidental entrepreneur” to the leader of a merged, $100M business. She reflects on how growing up with limited resources shaped her resourcefulness and scrappiness, and how personal loss led her to a new beginning in the Pacific Northwest and eventually into the world of chemical distribution. Through acquisitions and a commitment to unity, she merged three companies into one culture-driven organization: Catalynt. Together, Jean and Megan explore what it means to build a supportive company culture rooted in honesty, trust and truth-telling. Megan describes her daily mindfulness practice, her approach to equanimity during crisis, and the importance of grounding leadership decisions in real data rather than noise. She also speaks candidly about the isolation leaders can face, the unique challenges women encounter in leadership roles, and the power of community and independent advisors. It’s a thoughtful and grounded conversation about resourcefulness, courage and the lifelong journey of cultivating self-worth as a leader. Timestamps 0:00 – Introduction and journey to leadership 2:43 – Merging businesses and creating Catalynt 5:39 – Navigating personal loss and career transition 8:29 – Self-discovery and leadership during crisis 11:09 – Consistency and equanimity in leadership 13:47 – Resourcefulness from adversity 16:52 – Building a supportive company culture 19:41 – Sensible leadership in uncertain times 22:44 – Maintaining balance and avoiding isolation 26:20 – The importance of independent advice 30:33 – Creating a culture of truth 34:09 – Women in leadership: breaking barriers 38:17 – The need for community support 43:12 – Cultivating self-worth as a leader
#112
Aug 19, 2025 · 54 min
Paul Spiegelman: From Small Giants to Kintsugi Village
This is a very special episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast. For the first time, longtime host Paul Spiegelman takes the guest seat as he officially passes the torch to new host, Jean Moncrieff. Paul reflects on his transition from leading the Small Giants Community to launching Kintsugi Village, a nonprofit in Detroit dedicated to community, relationships, and innovative education. He and Jean discuss why relationships are everything in business and life, what it means to prepare the next generation of leaders, and how impact is best measured through stories, not just numbers. Together, Paul and Jean explore the themes of transition, purpose, and community — and Paul shares the personal lessons that shaped his leadership journey, from his family influences to the philosophy of “keeping it in the big ring.” It’s a thoughtful and inspiring conversation that celebrates Paul’s legacy with the Small Giants Community while looking ahead to what’s next. Timestamps: 0:00 – Introduction to Kintsugi Village 5:58 – The importance of community and relationships 11:50 – Navigating personal and professional transitions 18:05 – Preparing the next generation of leaders 28:30 – The circle of growth: culture and profitability 36:17 – Building community and trust 42:02 – Influences and inspirations for growth 47:49 – Personal stories and leadership lessons
#111
Jul 22, 2025 · 31 min
Leslie DeMent & Rob Dube: Meet the 2025 Hall of Fame inductees
This is a very special episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast. Not only are there two beloved return guests, but it’s also Paul’s last episode as host. As he transitions away from his role as the owner of the Small Giants Community to pursue his newest endeavor, Kintsugi Village, Paul is switching off the microphone. Talk about bittersweet! But before he does that, he has one last meaningful conversation with Leslie DeMent and Rob Dube, this year’s recipients of the Small Giants Hall of Fame awards. Leslie DeMent is the winner of the Next Gen Hall of Fame award. She discusses with Paul the importance of building trust within a team, how she’s managed to instill Small Giants values in a company that’s not necessarily a Small Giant, and the impact that participating in the Leadership Academy has had on her journey. Rob Dube is the winner of the Founder/ CEO Hall of Fame award. He talks about how reading Bo Burlingham’s Small Giants book gave him permission to be himself at work, how he’s transitioned meaningfully into different leadership roles, and why he and the co-founder of imageOne decided to buy back the company when it was offered to them.Together, Leslie, Rob, and Paul discuss why being a purpose-driven leader is important to them. It’s an inspiring reminder of the power of community, and the ripple effects that one little book with a goldfish on the cover has had on us all. Timestamps: 2:28 - Meet Leslie 7:00 - Meet Rob 12:40 - Leslie’s experience with the Leadership Academy 16:30 - Rob and big transitions 25:15 - Advice from Leslie and Rob 29:27 - Thank you and an announcement from Paul
#110
May 28, 2025 · 48 min
Zach Mercurio: Creating a Mattering Movement
On this episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, host Paul Spiegelman speaks with Zach Mercurio, a researcher, author, and leadership development facilitator specializing in purposeful leadership, mattering, meaningful work, and positive organizational psychology. His latest book, The Power of Mattering, is available now. Zach is an expert in the importance and implementation of mattering in the workplace, but it’s a path he had to carve out for himself. The desire to explore this topic was sparked in him after his first job out of college. Working in advertising sales, he noticed the jarring fact that he and his team treated their clients as a resource rather than people with their own lives and interests. When he went on to complete his PhD research, he befriended the custodians who were in the school buildings late at night like him. This led him to focus his research on people in overlooked (and often underinvested in) professions like cleaning, and how they experience meaning in their work. Listen to this episode to learn Zach’s practical methods for scaling mattering in the workplace, the difference between mattering and belonging, and why Zach sees now as a time when people want to feel that they matter at their work more than ever. Show Notes: 2:35 - What is mattering? 9:27 - “Work was always an act of community” 14:37 - Early influences & Zach’s PhD research 24:40 - “Common sense is not common practice” 39:00 - How to scale mattering
#109
Apr 6, 2025 · 53 min
Greg Toback: Bringing Smiles to the Healthcare Industry
On this episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, host Paul Spiegelman speaks with Greg Toback, Founder and CEO of Resolute Dental Partners. As a periodontist and member of the healthcare community, Greg has seen various areas of the industry become consolidated over the years. In 2018, he decided to do his part in keeping practices doctor-owned. When two fellow dentists in his community felt they had no other option but to sell to a private equity organization, Greg stepped in and purchased their practice. This eventually led to Resolute Dental Partners, and they now have seven locations, all with strong leaders who can implement the company’s values while still leading with their own style. It took years of learning (and reading the Small Giants book!) to get to where they are now, but Greg is passionate about keeping the ever important doctor-client relationship at the core of their culture. Tune in to this episode to hear Paul and Greg discuss the changing landscape of the healthcare industry, Greg’s near career shift into telecommunications, and much more. Show Notes: 6:13 - A changing industry 17:09 - Implementing Small Giants ideas 25:06 - Early influences 37:00 - Difficult decisions 41:33 - Advice to young people
#108
Mar 4, 2025 · 44 min
Hamsa Yaqo: Resourceful, reflective, and ready for new adventures
On this very special episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, I sit down with Hamsa Yaqo, formerly the Executive Director of the Small Giants Community, and now a board member. Hamsa is also the Co-Founder of Kintsugi Village, a non-profit hub in Detroit that will provide a childhood education center, artist incubator, culinary kitchen, and more to the local community. Many of you likely know Hamsa as the bright, caring leader who helmed the Small Giants Community operations for nearly a decade. But you may not know about her previous time in the education and tech sectors, as well as her journey with her family from Iraq to the US when she was 12 years old. All of these experiences have shaped Hamsa into the leader she is today; ready to embark on a new journey in the non-profit space and give back to a city that she loves. Listen to this episode to hear Hamsa and I discuss what it was like for her to be the eldest child of an immigrant family, how learning a new language in a new country made her resourceful, the tough lessons she’s learned as a leader, and so much more. Show Notes: 3:32 - A serendipitous Small Giants journey 5:45 - Moving fast at Mango Languages 10:05 - A childhood on the move 20:06 - Building bonds in academia 29:10 - Areas for improvement 34:18 - “You have to enjoy what you do”
#107
Feb 4, 2025 · 45 min
Kevin Schnieders: Living the Servant Leader Life
On this episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, host Paul Spiegelman speaks with Kevin Schnieders, Chief Servant Leader and CEO at Educational Data Systems, Inc. (EDSI). From sports broadcaster to English teacher to owner of the family business, Kevin has tried on several seemingly different careers, but he’s always had a throughline: a passion for connecting with people. When he stumbled into working for his father’s business, he realized he could make an impact, and enjoyed the opportunity to work with his dad. EDSI has grown from a team that was in the single digits to an employee population of 900 over the decades. Kevin still finds purpose in the work the company does to help people who are economically disadvantaged, and has successfully scaled their people-focused culture. Tune into this episode to hear how Kevin was one of the early adopters of the term “servant leadership”, how he stays connected with all 900 of his employees, and why he’s continually trying to be a better listener. Show Notes: 3:30 - What is a Chief Servant Leader? 12:47 - Early influences + family business matters 22:20 - Translating the culture to the customers 33:00 - Advice to young people
#106
Jan 7, 2025 · 49 min
Amy Courter: Flying High and Staying Grounded
On this episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, host Paul Spiegelman sits down with Amy Courter, the Principle of Azimuth Centers of Excellence and a Certified EOS Implementer. Amy grew up outside of Flint, MI with humble beginnings and parents who lived out their heart-first, community values. She adopted those same values and wanted to find ways to be a part of and give back to her community. After excelling at a law enforcement program in high school and wanting to stay involved, she enrolled in the Civil Air Patrol, and has been a member ever since. From the Civil Air Patrol and beyond, Amy has found ways to marry career and community. While working for a large tech company, she found purpose and alignment in her small, entrepreneurial clients. And now, as an EOS implementer, she appreciates working with a wide array of clients, many of which do meaningful work. Tune in to this episode to hear Amy and Paul discuss how she’s adapted her experiences to fit many different roles, how being an athlete influenced her professional life, and why she took theater classes in college. Show Notes: 2:35 - EOS and culture 8:57 - Early influences 18:37 - Joining the Civil Air Patrol 24:00 - Not a career path, but a scavenger hunt 30:15 - Sports and community involvement
#105
Dec 1, 2024 · 41 min
Kyle David: The Doogie Howser of Tech Consulting
On this episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, host Paul Spiegelman sits down with Kyle David, CEO of The Kyle David Group. He is also a graduate of the Small Giants Leadership Academy Class of 2021. Kyle got his professional career started earlier than most. Due to childhood autoimmune issues, he couldn’t participate in a lot of physical activities, and instead turned to reading – mostly books about technology and business. This self education led to a job with a consulting firm at just 14 years old. Thanks to a meritocracy culture and supportive mentors, Kyle was able to grow his skills as a technology consultant well before he could drive himself to his clients (good thing his colleagues didn’t mind giving him a lift!). When Kyle started his own firm after school, he took the values from both his previous job and his church upbringing and instilled them into his own culture. Now, Kyle takes pride in leading an organization that gives back to its people and works with values-aligned clients. Listen to this episode to hear about Kyle’s jump start in the consulting world, his grandfather’s wise words about entrepreneurship, and what growing up in a church-focused household taught him about leadership. Show Notes: 1:11 - In his Doogie Howser era 13:33 - A grandfather’s wisdom 24:10 - Challenges & humbling moments 32:35 - “Establish humility young”

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