Evergreen Journal by Tugboat Institute

Wynne Odell and her husband, Doug, founded Odell Brewing in Fort Collins, Colorado in 1989. In the three decades since, the company has persevered and grown, aligned with the Evergreen 7Ps™. In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2019, Wynne shares stories of challenge and success, offering an authentic and inspiring story of Evergreen business.

JT McCormick survived a childhood marked by abuse and neglect. He barely graduated from high school and does not have a college degree. In spite of these obstacles, JT refuses to consider himself a victim and embraces the opportunity he has—as President and CEO of Scribe Media—to inspire young people facing challenge and other Evergreen leaders. In this moving, deeply personal talk presented at Tu...

Brian Griffith, Executive Chairman of Griffith Foods, a fourth-generation global business in the food space, has taken the importance of employees' alignment around Purpose to a new level. In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2019, Brian shares how he and his team have operationalized Purpose within the organization, building a platform for associates to explore and define personal p...

Fifty percent of every sale of Double Good gourmet popcorn is donated to support children with special needs. Alongside that clear focus on making a difference is 20 years of consistent revenue growth. In his Tugboat Institute Summit 2018 presentation, Double Good CEO Tim Heitmann describes the powerful sense of purpose that has evolved over the company's history—and the significant period of chal...

From the time she was a little girl, Mia Tate has loved stories. Her commitment to listening to and connecting with others' experiences has inspired her work as an actor, writer, director, and producer. In fact, she has come to realize that the seemingly simple act of listening is a unique and valuable skill. In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2019, Mia offers valuable perspective...

In 2009, Michael Kiolbassa was tired and on the verge of burnout. An early morning moment of spiritual surrender provided a personal and professional pivot point for the CEO and President of Kiolbassa Smoked Meats. In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2019, Michael shares the story of the journey of transformation that followed that moment of release, as he embraced vulnerability and...

Twenty percent of U.S. businesses are now owned by private equity (PE), far surpassing the number of public and independent, privately held companies. And, PE firms have over $3 trillion of additional purchase power. What is driving this growth, and will it change? What is the PE playbook, and how is it used to convince owners to sell and to "add-value" after purchase? What can Evergreen companies...

The food industry is notoriously difficult with thin margins, disappearing trends and a constantly rotating employee base. But Erin Wade has found a way to use the industry to build opportunities not only for herself but also for others. As co-founder and CEO of Homeroom, her full-service mac-and-cheese restaurant, she is building a unique culture within her industry. As a savvy Evergreen entrepre...

We all have our own cognitive maps, unique to us and determined by our individual experiences and history. Sometimes, these maps can be limiting—in business and in life. While challenging, having the courage and perseverance to see beyond the borders of your own cognitive map—and those of others—can lead to transformative expansion, innovation, and success for Evergreen businesses. In his presenta...

Jessica Rovello is the co-founder and CEO of Arkadium, an online gaming company based in Ukraine and the U.S. that provides brands and publishers with interactive, brand-safe content. In early 2014, when 100 of her Ukraine-based employees were affected by the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation, Rovello's commitment to Perseverance and putting People First was put to the test. In her ta...

Will Thorndike is an investor and author of T he Outsiders, a study of eight unconventional CEOs who did an exceptional job of allocating capital in their businesses. In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2019, Will shares the essential lessons of the CEOs he profiled in his book, as well as updated insights.

For Evergreen leaders, connection with and commitment to family are essential factors that lead to and support success. In this presentation from Tugboat Institute Summit 2019, Tugboat Institute Chairperson Jeff Snipes shares parenting and leadership insights gained through his work as founder of Millennium Schools, involvement in Challenge Success at Stanford, and as a dad himself, into the epide...

Even a legendary, 100-year-old brand like Radio Flyer — the little red wagon that's become an iconic part of the lives of millions of children — needs to work hard to ensure its continued success. "I knew we had all this great stuff about our brand," says Robert Pasin, Radio Flyer's CEO. "But I soon learned that the company was at kind of a crossroads and we have some problems." In his Tugboat Ins...

In business and in life, many of us fill our packs with emotional, physical, and professional weight that can impact our ability to move efficiently and in good health. Intentionally unpacking obligations, habits, and control that don't serve us can create opportunity for transformative growth—in self and in Evergreen business. In his presentation from the Tugboat Institute Summit 2018, Joe Motz,...

Dennis Madsen's journey at outdoor retailer REI started in the stock room at REI's first store when Madsen was 17. Under his leadership as CEO, and later as a board member, REI grew to the national brand it is today, respected for its products, inviting stores and quality customer service. In this Tugboat Institute Summit talk, Madsen acquaints us with REI's remarkable history, its unique co-op mo...

How does ownership of a company affect its ability to compete—for better or for worse? With a professional background that spans 20 years and includes consulting roles with Fortune 500 companies, the philanthropic sector, and family businesses, BanyanGlobal Partner and Co-Founder Josh Baron is uniquely qualified to answer that question. In his Tugboat Institute Summit 2018 presentation, Josh descr...

What is Evergreen? In this keynote presentation from the Fourth Annual Olin Family Business Symposium at Washington University in St. Louis on October 12, 2018, Dave Whorton shares the journey of discovery that led to his founding of Tugboat Institute  and the Evergreen Movement. Throughout his talk, he debunks common myths about business and contrasts them with the competitive advantage of Evergr...