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Unleashed

Unleashed

Written by: Wendi Swanson
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Discover the inimitable wave of leadership on Unleashed, where we dive deep into the heartbeat of organizations—its people. You'll learn how to champion a human-centered approach to growth, and redefine leadership by focusing on what truly matters: the people driving change. Change leadership is about guiding people through transformation in a way that inspires them to embrace change because they believe in it. Unleashed is for those who are open, honest, and ready to confront what's holding them back in life and business. If you're willing to take actionable steps and embrace genuine transformation, this podcast is your guide to leading with heart and unleashing your potential.

 Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Mark Ryski: Store Traffic Is A Gift

    Mark Ryski: Store Traffic Is A Gift
    May 20 2025
    Mark Ryski is the Founder and CEO of HeadCount, a pioneering company in store traffic and conversion analytics since 1994. He is the author of two influential books on the subject: When Retail Customers Count, the first written on the topic, and CONVERSION: The Last Great Retail Metric, which has become the industry’s definitive guide. As the leading expert in the field, Mark’s insights have been featured in Forbes, the Wall Street Journal, Retail Dive, Chain Store Age, Retail Insider, CBC, and The Globe & Mail. He is also a featured BrainTrust contributor on RetailWire – retailing’s premier online discussion forum. Today, HeadCount operates in 24 countries, helping retailers improve their in-store conversion rates and extract valuable business insights from traffic data. His vision is to enhance retail performance for shareholders, employees, and shoppers, establishing him as one of the most recognized experts in retail traffic.In this episode, Wendi and Mark discuss:The origin story of HeadCount and why Mark built his first traffic counter from Radio Shack partsWhy tracking store traffic and conversion is essential—and still underutilizedThe myth that more foot traffic automatically equals more salesHow traffic and conversion data impact labor optimization and the in-store customer experienceWhat the pandemic revealed about the true value of in-person retail visitsKey Takeaways:Store traffic is likened to a non-renewable resource—every visit is a finite opportunity that demands attention and respect.Relying solely on sales data without tracking traffic or conversion is equated to navigating retail in total darkness.Foundational metrics—traffic, conversion, and average ticket—are positioned as the true drivers behind retail success, beyond just sales figures.Conversion rates expose hidden inefficiencies, such as lost sales caused by poor service or misaligned staffing patterns.Over 80% of purchases still happen in-store, challenging the myth that online retail has made brick-and-mortar obsolete.“Store traffic is a precious, non-renewable resource.” - Mark RyskiConnect with Mark Ryski:Website: https://headcount.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-ryski-8826601/ Mark’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Store-Traffic-Gift-Retailers-Converting/dp/B0F1XG8QC5 https://www.amazon.com/When-Retail-Customers-Count-Ryski/dp/1420824759 https://www.amazon.com/Conversion-Last-Great-Retail-Metric/dp/1463414226 Connect with Wendi Swanson:Website: etymongroup.comLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswansonFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368 Email: wswanson@etymongroup.comShow notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul TagamaAudio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.
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    42 mins
  • Lisa Curtis: Superfood Impact, One Leaf at a Time

    Lisa Curtis: Superfood Impact, One Leaf at a Time
    May 13 2025

    Lisa Curtis is the Founder & CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods, the leading brand transforming global superfoods like moringa into lasting impact for your body and the planet. Kuli Kuli’s wellness powders and gummies are sustainably sourced from African women and other smallholder farmers around the world, and are now available in over 11,000 U.S. stores. Lisa began developing Kuli Kuli while serving in the Peace Corps and has grown it into a multi-million-dollar social enterprise. She has been recognized on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list and Inc. Magazine’s Top 100 Female Founders list.


    In this episode, Wendi and Lisa discuss:

    • How a life-changing Peace Corps experience led Lisa to launch Kuli Kuli Foods
    • The challenges of building a superfood brand from scratch with no business background
    • The role of crowdfunding and millennial entrepreneurship in bringing bold ideas to life
    • The social impact of climate-smart crops like moringa on small farmers and communities
    • Scaling sustainably and staying mission-aligned while growing a national brand


    Key Takeaways:

    • A transformative Peace Corps moment in Niger becomes the unlikely catalyst for Lisa’s discovery of moringa—a nutrient-dense plant that would redefine both her health and purpose.
    • Rather than seeking early validation from traditional investors, Lisa turned to the crowd, proving that community belief can fund more than just ideas; it can launch global movements.
    • Resilience, for Lisa, isn't fueled by hustle alone; it’s rooted in strict self-care, where sleep, exercise, and nutrition serve as non-negotiable foundations for entrepreneurial stamina.
    • When disaster struck—literally—with a wildfire wiping out their only farming partner, the company didn’t fold; it adapted, using the setback as fuel to broaden its global sourcing network.
    • In a sea of polished pitches, an unfiltered email from Zimbabwe and a photo with local farmers broke through the noise, revealing how authenticity can open doors where strategy stalls.


    “I don’t want to be the only one—I want more brands with transparent supply chains and products that are good for people, communities, and the planet. I’d rather be the flame that sparks the fire than the only one trying to hold the torch alone.” - Lisa Curtis


    Connect with Lisa Curtis:

    Websites: https://www.kulikulifoods.com/ , https://lisamariecurtis.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamariecurtis



    Connect with Wendi Swanson:

    Website: etymongroup.com

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368

    Email: wswanson@etymongroup.com



    Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Rob Bier: Smooth Scaling and Friction-Free Organizations

    Rob Bier: Smooth Scaling and Friction-Free Organizations
    May 8 2025

    Rob Bier doesn’t just talk about scaling—he’s been in the trenches, building, investing, and coaching companies that have skyrocketed to unicorn and even decacorn status. With 14 years of experience helping start-ups, scale-ups, and founder-led companies build high-performance teams and seamless operations, he knows exactly what it takes to grow without breaking. He’s the author of Smooth Scaling: 20 Rituals to Build a Friction-Free Organization and has seen firsthand what separates the best from the rest.


    In this episode, Wendi and Rob discuss:

    • Why "us conversations" are critical for scaling high-performance teams
    • How friction silently kills productivity and growth inside organizations
    • The evolution of leadership from startup chaos to scalable operations
    • How AI is revolutionizing meeting productivity and team coaching
    • Defining true high-performance teams and why trust matters as much as execution


    Key Takeaways:

    • True scaling isn’t just about building systems; it’s about cultivating human collaboration across every level of the organization to unlock sustained growth.
    • Building high-performance teams hinges not solely on goal achievement but on the deliberate nurturing of trust, synergy, and collective intelligence.
    • Hidden beneath the surface of many organizations, friction emerges as an invisible force that silently erodes productivity and, if left unaddressed, ultimately stifles long-term growth potential.
    • While AI is revolutionizing meeting effectiveness and feedback mechanisms, it will never replace the irreplaceable — authentic human connection and emotional resonance.
    • An important leadership evolution is spotlighted, urging CEOs to shift their focus from obsessing over operational "it" issues to fostering "us" conversations that empower scalable, trust-driven cultures.


    “A high-performing team doesn’t just get the job done — it builds trust and creates solutions that are better than any one person could have come up with alone.” - Rob Bier


    Connect with Rob Bier:

    Website: https://www.robbier.com/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-bier/

    Rob’s Book: https://www.robbier.com/smooth-scaling



    Connect with Wendi Swanson:

    Website: etymongroup.com

    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/wendiswanson

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557265653368

    Email: wswanson@etymongroup.com



    Show notes by Podcastologist: Angelo Paul Tagama


    Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
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