Succession by the Book: Interview with Sally Ekus of the Ekus Group

03/18/24 • 36 min

Growing up, Sally Ekus had a unique childhood—one that simmered with the legacy of culinary media. Yet, when it came time to take over the family business, she found herself navigating a path she hadn't originally planned to follow. In our conversation with Sally, she shares her personal story of transition, revealing how she embraced leadership and infused the company with a vision for the future. We discuss the blend of tradition and innovation, how the Ekus Group has stayed true to its roots in a rapidly changing media landscape, and the essential ingredients for maintaining a brand deeply connected to the culinary arts.

Mentorship is often the hidden spice in the recipe for successful succession planning. Sally's tale is no exception, as she recounts the invaluable lessons and guidance from the founder of the Ekus Group, her mother, Lisa, which paved the way for a smooth changeover. We uncover the tactics that made this transition seamless, including the early inclusion in business operations and a clear, open dialogue that gave both clients and Sally confidence during the shift in leadership. The art of passing the torch within a family business is both art and science, and our discussion with Sally offers an insider look at this process, peppered with personal anecdotes and advice for other next gens.

As the episode progresses, we turn the page to the subject of legacy and how strategic decisions in book publishing can reinforce a brand's identity. Sally and Meghan discuss the importance of choosing the right book projects, the role of literary agents with a keen publicist's eye, and the recent merger with JVNLA that promises to enrich the company's literary legacy. Whether discussing favorite reads or how books can build unbreakable brands, Sally's insights provide a rich perspective on the importance of storytelling in the world of business. Tune in for an episode that combines the flavors of family, leadership, and evolution in the business of culinary media.

Sally's book recommendation: Pretend Soup by Molly Katzen

Get in touch with Sally:
[email protected]
Instagram: @sallyekus
The Ekus Group

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

Sally's book recommendation: Pretend Soup by Molly Katzen

Get in touch with Sally:
[email protected]
Instagram: @sallyekus
The Ekus Group

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

Previous Episode

How to Equip Next Generation Leaders for Team Success: Interview with Andrea Bordenca

When Andrea Bordenca took the reigns of her parents' medical equipment repair business decades ago, she assumed that she needed to be the same kind of leader they were, with the same style and structure. She never expected doing so would hurt her relationships and undermine her legitimacy with her team. Now Andrea has embraced her own unique leadership style as CEO of DESCO, and helps other women and nonbinary leaders do the same as an executive coach. She joins Building Unbreakable Brands to talk with Meghan about her journey as a second-generation leader, and share the wisdom she has gained along the way. She provides some tips to be more in tune with the messages our body is sending us, including some great ideas on how to overcome anxiety about speaking in front of groups. She also answers Henry's questions about how DESCO has changed over the decades, and how to deal with bullies in the workplace.

Andrea's book recommendation: The Creative ACT: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin

Get in touch with Andrea:
AndreaBordenca.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreabordenca/
https://www.instagram.com/andreabordenca/

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

Next 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