Building Unbreakable Brands Six-Point

In this episode of Building Unbreakable Brands, Meghan Lynch sits down with Diana Fitzpatrick, attorney, runner, and board president of the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run, the world's oldest 100-mile trail race. Since its inception in 1974, the Western States 100 has become one of the ultimate tests of endurance, embodying a rich history and a deep-rooted culture of community and volunteerism.
Diana provides an in-depth look at her role as board president and shares the fascinating history of the race, which started when Gordy Ainsleigh ran the trail of the Tevis Cup horse race on foot. She explains how the race has evolved into a nonprofit organization and discusses the operational aspects, including the stringent lottery system that selects 369 participants from over 8,000 applicants each year due to federal wilderness area regulations.
Meghan and Diana explore the importance of tradition within the Western States 100, from the in-person registration and pre-race meeting to the emphasis on honoring all finishers, regardless of their placement. They also discuss the proactive steps taken by the board, such as implementing a transgender policy to ensure inclusivity. Diana highlights the enduring culture of volunteering that spans generations of families, emphasizing the community spirit that is crucial to the event's success.
Key Points Discussed:
• The history and evolution of the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run.• Operational details, including the participant lottery system and federal regulations.• The race's traditions and the importance of honoring all participants.• The proactive creation of a transgender policy by the board.• The culture of volunteering and community involvement that supports the race.• Before wrapping up, Diana turns the mic over to the next generation, underscoring the event's commitment to future endurance athletes and community leaders.
Learn more about the Western States 100 Mile Endurance RunFollow Diana on Instagram: @dianafitz11
Building Unbreakable Brands is hosted by Meghan LynchProduced by Six-Point Creative

In this episode of Building Unbreakable Brands, Meghan Lynch speaks with Valonda Banks, a seasoned hiring practitioner with nearly 30 years of experience and the founder of Liberty Employment Solutions. Valonda’s expertise lies in employer branding, hiring strategy, and organizational development, making her a vital resource for generational business leaders looking to attract and retain the best talent.
During their conversation, Meghan and Valonda delve into the intricacies of building strong employer brands and navigating people problems, which can undermine even the most robust brands. Valonda explains how Liberty Employment Solutions helps businesses attract and retain talent by understanding and effectively communicating their company culture. She emphasizes the importance of authenticity over innovation in employer branding and provides tangible examples, such as highlighting schedule flexibility, to differentiate her clients' brands in a competitive job market.
Tune in to learn how Valonda’s approach to hiring and employer branding can transform your business, ensuring you have the right people in the right seats to build an unbreakable brand.
Key points discussed:
The significance of company culture in attracting the right talent.How to communicate cultural differentiators to prospective employees.The critical role of authenticity in employer branding.Real-life examples of successful employer branding strategies implemented by Liberty Employment Solutions.Learn more about Liberty Employment Solutions, info@libertyesolutions.comConnect with Valonda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valonda-banksles/
Building Unbreakable Brands is hosted by Meghan LynchProduced by Six-Point Creative

Join Meghan Lynch on Building Unbreakable Brands as she engages in a captivatingconversation with Ira Bryck, a former fourth-generation clothing business owner turnedfamily business educator and advisor.
With over 25 years of firsthand experience in running his family's business and nowcoaching business leaders, Ira shares his unique insights on navigating generationalbrands.
In this episode, Meghan and Ira explore the importance of asking the right questions touncover transformative insights, emphasizing the power of strategic questioning as both anart and a science. They delve into Ira's creative approach, including his innovative use ofroleplaying and the development of three plays as learning tools for family businesses toaddress complex emotional challenges.
Tune in as they discuss Ira's journey from the shop floor to executive coaching and theevolution of family businesses in today's dynamic landscape.
You can check out Ira's work, tools, and blog at irabryck.comConnect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irabryck/
Building Unbreakable Brands is hosted by Meghan LynchProduced by Six-Point Creative

Welcome to Building Unbreakable Brands, where Meghan Lynch, a seasoned brand strategist and advisor to generational family businesses, engages in insightful conversations with the stewards of enduring brands. 
Today, Meghan sits down with Katie Rucker, co-owner and president of MacKenzie, a second-generation consumer insights research firm. Katie, alongside her twin sister Jenny, also co-founded the Next Generation Collaborative, a platform dedicated to empowering next-generation leaders to shape their legacies. In this episode, Meghan and Katie explore MacKenzie's journey to maintaining relevance amidst evolving markets over the last 39 years. 
They delve into the foundational elements instilled by Katie's father that have propelled MacKenzie beyond startup stages, ensuring its generational impact. Tune in as they discuss strategies for sustainability and Katie's passion for awakening potential in others through the Next Generation Collaborative.
Katie Rucker shares, "LinkedIn is where I'm most active almost every day. Mackenzie Corp. and Next Gen Collaborative are our two websites. I'd love to connect, share ideas, and collaborate on something awesome."
Katie's interview on FamilyBusiness.Org on the connection between philanthropy and leadership: https://familybusiness.org/content/help-your-family-business-by-helping-others
Connect with Katie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katierucker/

In this episode, we talk with Avi Siegel, the dynamic CEO of Vital Signs, who entered a family business that his mother-in-law founded as an administrative assistant, but she had ideas that he would become her succession plan. Avi's story exudes passion and unwavering dedication, as he built legitimacy along with the growing company an industry that could easily consider him an outsider. We learn how Avi fell in love with ASL, and made it his own mission to continue his mother-in-law's legacy to increase accessibility for the Deaf community and people who are heard of hearing.
Like every generational family business, at Vital Signs, there has been a push and pull between tradition and innovation. Avi opens up about the complexities of transitioning leadership in Vital Signs, where ethics are prized above profit. He shares the art of aligning interpreters with assignments that resonate with their expertise, cultivating trust and value in every client interaction. Avi discusses his venture into consulting, seeking to amplify his impact by aiding others in sales and client acquisition.
The finale of our episode brings a delightful twist as we hear from Avi's son Pace and Meghan's son, Henry. Henry interviews Pace to learn whether he might be a third generation leader of Vital Signs, and what the most challenging parts of spending time in a family business might be. (It's not what you might think!) Henry and Pace's conversation reminds us that the legacy of family enterprise is as much about the journey as it is about the destination.
Learn more about ASL interpretation and transcription from Vital Signs
Connect with Avi Siegel on LinkedIn

Growing up, Sally Ekus had a unique childhood—one that simmered with the legacy of culinary media. Yet, when it came time to take over the family business, she found herself navigating a path she hadn't originally planned to follow. In our conversation with Sally, she shares her personal story of transition, revealing how she embraced leadership and infused the company with a vision for the future. We discuss the blend of tradition and innovation, how the Ekus Group has stayed true to its roots in a rapidly changing media landscape, and the essential ingredients for maintaining a brand deeply connected to the culinary arts.
Mentorship is often the hidden spice in the recipe for successful succession planning. Sally's tale is no exception, as she recounts the invaluable lessons and guidance from the founder of the Ekus Group, her mother, Lisa, which paved the way for a smooth changeover. We uncover the tactics that made this transition seamless, including the early inclusion in business operations and a clear, open dialogue that gave both clients and Sally confidence during the shift in leadership. The art of passing the torch within a family business is both art and science, and our discussion with Sally offers an insider look at this process, peppered with personal anecdotes and advice for other next gens.
As the episode progresses, we turn the page to the subject of legacy and how strategic decisions in book publishing can reinforce a brand's identity. Sally and Meghan discuss the importance of choosing the right book projects, the role of literary agents with a keen publicist's eye, and the recent merger with JVNLA that promises to enrich the company's literary legacy. Whether discussing favorite reads or how books can build unbreakable brands, Sally's insights provide a rich perspective on the importance of storytelling in the world of business. Tune in for an episode that combines the flavors of family, leadership, and evolution in the business of culinary media.
Sally's book recommendation: Pretend Soup by Molly Katzen
Get in touch with Sally:sally@ekusgroup.comInstagram: @sallyekusThe Ekus Group
Building Unbreakable Brands is hosted by Meghan LynchProduced by Six-Point Creative