Behind the Brilliance

Lisa answers a frequently asked guest and listener question: what's behind her brilliance?

J Michael Straczynski is probably best known as the creator of the sci fi TV series, Babylon 5, in addition to the Marvel Comics, The Amazing Spider-Man, Thor, and Fantastic Four. He's also the pen behind DC Comics' Superman and Wonder Woman. Before becoming a successful screenwriter, Joe battled unfavorable personal circumstances that shaped his grit and tenacity. In this winding conversation, we talk about Joe's life, his work, and how he's found peace in every season of his life.

Behind His Brilliance: Following his holy calling

Say hi to Joe on Twitter: @straczynski

Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter is founder and president of V&J Holdings, the largest female-owned franchise organization in the United States. As one of the best known fast-food operators in the United States with more than 130 units across multiple brands, Valerie has partnered with influential leaders like NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal to expand her operations. She sits on the board of the Green Bay Packers and is a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks. As a seasoned leader, Valerie has learned what it takes to create and sustain success when you don’t have a head start.

Valerie was candid about her challenges and how she persisted to create a life and career that aligns with her values. We covered a wide range of topics from how she landed her first franchise location to how she identifies great partners along with more personal topics like grief and her reflections on the role of family and faith in her life.

Behind Her Brilliance: Faith, Family, Friends, Passion

Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter is one of the most preeminent business owners in the United States. In addition to auspiciously commandeering several restaurants branded operations in the United States, she has been widely recognized for her adroit business ingenuity. She is the President and CEO of V&J Foods, Holding Companies, Inc. (V&J Holdings), a multi-brand/multi-state operation. It is recognized as the largest female owned franchise organization in the country. Dr. Daniels-Carter’s quick-service restaurant empire operations are comprised of Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels, Burger King, Coffee Beanery, Nino’s Southern Sides, MyYoMy Frozen Yogurt, Pizza Hut and Captain D’s Seafood along with numerous Real Estate ventures. Prior to establishing V&J Holding Companies, Inc., she worked in banking and finance.

How Valerie landed her first franchise location

Valerie’s secret to scaling to 100+ locations

How Valerie creates partnerships with other leaders

The role of faith in Valerie’s life and business

Valerie’s work in sports and philanthropy

Valerie’s reflections on grief and hard lessons

How Valerie thinks about work/life integration

And much more!

Barrett Ward is the founder and CEO of ABLE, a lifestyle brand focused on ending generational poverty by working with women who have often overcome extraordinary circumstances. We manufacture directly in the communities we wish to impact, both locally and globally, creating jobs and ending the cycle of charity dependency.

Behind His Brilliance: Surrounding himself with strong mentors

Say hi to Barrett on Instagram: @barrettward

BARRETT WARD | Leading a fashion lifestyle brand might be an unlikely role for someone self-described as “not a fashion guy,” but that’s exactly where ABLE founder and CEO Barrett Ward finds himself. As the visionary behind the rapidly growing Nashville-based company disrupting the fashion industry with a social conscience, Ward was inspired to start ABLE with the mission of creating sustainable business opportunities for women. While living in Ethiopia, Ward and wife Rachel saw firsthand how extreme poverty forced many young women to make difficult choices for money. They wanted to give women the chance to earn a living with dignity. In 2010, they began ABLE by employing women who had overcome the sex industry to make handmade scarves. ABLE has since grown into a lifestyle brand carrying beautiful leather bags, jewelry, denim, apparel, and shoes with a primary focus on empowering disadvantaged women. Now, the company employs more than 300 women in Ethiopia, Peru, Mexico, and Nashville – home of ABLE’s Headquarters and Flagship store. As fans of ABLE’s classic styles grow, Ward ensures he and his team always remember why ABLE was founded: to provide opportunities to women who have overcome some of life’s most challenging obstacles.

The origin story of ABLE in Ethiopia

The problems with poverty tourism

How Barrett is reimagining social entrepreneurship

How ABLE measures its impact around the world

Fast fashion and why you should be more mindful about what you buy

What Barrett has learned about leadership

And more!

ABLE (use code BEHINDTHEBRILLIANCE for 20% off)

The True Cost (fast fashion documentary)

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (Barrett's book pick)

Half the Sky by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn (Barrett's book pick)

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (Barrett's book pick)

SHOW NOTES: http://bit.ly/BTBBarrettWard

In this solo episode, Lisa describes the why, what and how of living eulogies - inspiring personal tributes offered to people who are still alive.

Going beyond special occasions and milestones, Lisa inspires you to start creating living eulogies for the special people in your life.