In this episode, Nancy Ridlen sits down with Jeanette Brick, President of iSi North America, for a grounded, no-fluff conversation on leadership built on customer truth, mentor-driven growth, and disciplined listening.

Jeanette explains why learning to sell before leading marketing keeps brands from talking to themselves - and how retail instincts translate into food service, where emotional connection meets operational reality. She reflects on the mentors who raised her standards, challenged her thinking without sugarcoating, and pushed her forward without taking control - because comfort may feel kind, but clarity is what works in life and in business.

Listening is a leadership performance tool. Jeanette shows how truly hearing people uncovers the real problem, speeds alignment, and drives negotiations. She explains how brand values - quality, safety, savings - flex by customer segment and shares a five-step framework for tough conversations that protects high performers, stops quiet quitting, and rebuilds trust - no “compliment sandwich” required.

We close with a candid confession with baking over cooking - precision over improvisation - and the bigger leadership lesson it reveals about staffing to strengths.

When friends and colleagues get together, you’re bound to learn—and laugh.

In this episode, host Nancy Ridlen, Principal at W3 Sales, sits down with Shannon Tallon, VP of Merchandising at Edward Don & Company, for a candid conversation about growth, leadership, and facing fear head-on.

Shannon pulls back the curtain on the moment her promotion felt both surreal and deeply earned. Together, Nancy and Shannon explore what happens after the big win: navigating new responsibility, choosing courage over comfort, and leading with intention in an industry that often prioritizes speed over connection. From the surprising appeal of janitorial and margin strategy to the power of strong operator–distributor partnerships, this episode blends honest reflection with real-world insight.

In true confession style, Shannon also shares what it’s like to be an introvert learning to lead—by stepping directly into the fear that once held her back.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The surreal promotion moment and first reactions
• Fear, uncertainty, and responsibility after a big win
• Operators and distributor reps as complementary experts
• Speed expectations vs. the need for real relationships
• An unexpected love for janitorial—and margin strategy
• Changes at Edward Don alongside an enduring culture
• The funniest customer product request (and setting boundaries)
• Balancing assertive and approachable leadership
• An introvert’s confession on moving through fear

🎙️ Honest, insightful, and refreshingly human—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

What does it take to build a national pastry brand without losing your soul—or your partner? Nancy Ridlen sits down with KRMA Foods co-founders Rachel Oostman and Marine Crile to share the real story behind their QVC debut, late-night spreadsheets, and the values that kept them grounded when things got tough.

They unpack how their partnership evolved, the principles that shaped their culture, and the moments that nearly broke the business before they finally hit break-even. Rachel and Marine also challenge old playbooks for women in food, showing how vulnerability, intuition, and aligned decision-making led them to the right deals and the right people.

If you’re building a business, considering a partner, or love a behind-the-scenes look at food entrepreneurship, this episode blends grit, heart, and practical wisdom.