If you want to be a successful leader, you need to be present with each person you interact with, prioritize the growth of your team, and meet people where they’re at. Today on Love In Leadership, we are joined by BIGGBY® COFFEE partners, Brandon Cruise and Jeff Konczak to discuss what has brought them success in their leadership journeys. Hear all about their effortless partnership, how they define the BIGGBY® COFFEE culture, and what they love about the brand. As the conversation progresses, we dive into the nitty gritty details of our guest’s leadership styles. Jeff and Brandon humbly share their strengths in building and maintaining relationships before discussing the importance of finding balance by doing what you love. We even hear about what we can look forward to from the two of them in the future. Finally, Brandon tells us how faith has made him a better leader and Jeff reminds us to make the most of our limited days on earth. To hear all this and so much more, tune in now! Guest Bio: Brandon Cruise is a BIGGBY® COFFEE franchise owner based in Marysville, Ohio, where he lives with his wife, Laura, and their four young children. Since signing on for their first franchise in 2018, Brandon and his family have successfully grown their business, now owning two locations (556 and 1048) since 2020. Brandon’s parents, Sandy and Clancy, play a crucial role in the business. Sandy manages the essential administrative tasks, including payroll, while Clancy, a former pastor with over 30 years of experience, is a certified espresso machine technician who handles equipment maintenance and repairs. Together, the Cruise family’s teamwork and dedication have been key to their business's success. Jeff Konczak is an entrepreneur and founder of BCubed Manufacturing, specializing in modular drive-through BIGGBY® COFFEE shops. Based in his hometown, Jeff has built a diverse business portfolio, including four BIGGBY Coffee franchises and extensive real estate holdings, such as VA clinics and historic properties. Starting with a single prototype in 2017, BCubed has since grown to 77 locations. Jeff is also deeply involved in local development, acquiring and revitalizing properties, including cinemas and waterfront buildings. His innovative approach combines business growth with community revitalization, making a lasting impact both locally and beyond. Key Points From This Episode: [00:35] A brief catch-up with our hosts and a little of what they’ve been up to. [08:48] Introducing our guests, Jeff Konczak and Brandon Cruise. [13:04] How Jeff and Brandon got to know each other. [14:48] Brandon tells us what his role is and how he defines the BIGGBY® COFFEE culture. [19:05] What drew Jeff to BIGGBY® COFFEE and what he loves about it.[24:19] Our guests describe their leadership styles and tell us what works for them. [40:10] How Brandon and Jeff balance their work with their personal lives. [44:38] What our guests are excited about for the future of their businesses. [50:07] Brandon tells us how his faith impacts him as a leader. [54:19] Key takeaways from today’s inspirational conversation. Quotes: “We want the best for the brand. I've fallen in love with [it].” — Jeff Konczak [0:21:04] “There's nothing that isn't possible if you put your mind to it and work hard.” — Jeff Konczak [0:31:44] “The people that work for you are everything. – If you don't have [them], then you do become unbalanced really quickly because then it feels like it's up to you to do everything.” — Brandon Cruise [0:43:21] “I'm all about letting people make mistakes and move forward and try to get better every day.” — Brandon Cruise [0:51:46] RESOURCES: [10:48]BCubed Manufacturing[26:05] How to Win Friends and Influence People[51:18] Switchfoot FOLLOW: Follow Brandon Cruise: FacebookInstagram Follow Jeff Konczak: LinkedInFacebook FOLLOW: Follow Laura Eich: LinkedInFacebookInstagram Follow Mike McFall: WebsiteLinkedInFacebookXInstagram Follow BIGGBY® COFFEE & LifeLabTM: WebsiteFacebookXInstagramLinkedInAbout LifeLabTM ABOUT LOVE IN LEADERSHIP: At the Life You Love LaboratoryTM and BIGGBY® COFFEE, we’re out to prove that financial success and healthy workplace culture aren’t two separate goals. BIGGBY® COFFEE's own cultural transformation is proof that not only is it possible to have a successful company where people aren’t miserable at work, but that the happier your people are, the more your business will grow. Each week, join host Laura Eich, Chief Purpose Officer at BIGGBY® COFFEE, and her co-host and BIGGBY® COFFEE co-CEO Mike McFall as they’re joined by guests from around the world to learn how they are fostering a culture of love and growth in the world’s most innovative and people-centric companies. Get inspired. Get real. Get ready to transform workplace culture in America with us. This is the Love in Leadership podcast. Learn more at: loveinleadershippodcast.com ABOUT THE HOSTS: Mike McFall began his journey with BIGGBY® COFFEE as a minimum-wage barista at the original store in East Lansing in 1996. Over the span of 23 years, alongside business partner Bob Fish, he has helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY® COFFEE has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest that sell tens of thousands of cups of coffee each day. But more importantly to Mike and BIGGBY® COFFEE, the company is a profoundly people-first organization. Mike is also the author of Grind, a book which focuses on early-stage businesses and how to establish positive cash flow. Laura Eich is BIGGBY® COFFEE’s Chief People Officer, having worked in a variety of roles at BIGGBY® COFFEE for the last 11+ years. She helped launch BOOST, the department at BIGGBY® COFFEE which ultimately became LifeLabTM — BIGGBY® COFFEE’s in-house culture cultivation team designed to help people be the best versions of themselves and help companies support them along the way. In her role, Laura helps people build lives that they love through the process of building profitable businesses and robust, growth-filled careers.
