How Next Gens Can Find Their Authentic Voice with Katie Rucker of MacKenzie

05/07/24 • 43 min

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/

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/

Previous Episode

The Power of a 10X Vision: Interview with Avi Siegel, CEO of Vital Signs

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

Next Episode

Tools and Tales for Thriving in a Family Business with Ira Bryck

Join Meghan Lynch on Building Unbreakable Brands as she engages in a captivating
conversation with Ira Bryck, a former fourth-generation clothing business owner turned
family business educator and advisor.

With over 25 years of firsthand experience in running his family's business and now
coaching business leaders, Ira shares his unique insights on navigating generational
brands.

In this episode, Meghan and Ira explore the importance of asking the right questions to
uncover transformative insights, emphasizing the power of strategic questioning as both an
art and a science. They delve into Ira's creative approach, including his innovative use of
roleplaying and the development of three plays as learning tools for family businesses to
address complex emotional challenges.

Tune in as they discuss Ira's journey from the shop floor to executive coaching and the
evolution of family businesses in today's dynamic landscape.

You can check out Ira's work, tools, and blog at irabryck.com
Connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irabryck/

Building Unbreakable Brands is hosted by Meghan Lynch
Produced by Six-Point Creative