Leading Through Cultural Diversity - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 19 of 21 in his 2011 interview, Phil McKenzie answers "What Role Does Diversity Play in Shaping Your Leadership Style?"  By nature, McKenzie finds cultural diversity front and center in how he is curating an international event series.  Most importantly, he finds diversity of opinion and team construct critical.  He notes this different mix is less focused around American context of diversity - race and gender - and more around an international element build upon culture and views. McKenzie is the founder of Influencer Conference, an international event series bringing together tastemakers across the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology.  He is also managing partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC.  Previously he worked in Domestic Equity Trading at Goldman, Sachs, & Co.  He earned his BA from Howard University and MBA from Duke University. 

Learning to Better Recruit, Manage, and Motivate Teams - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 20 of 21 in his 2011 interview, media and marketing entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "How to Recruit, Manage and Motivate Teams?"  He notes this is a core challenge at this moment in his career as he builds out his global event series and how decision making, coordination, and empowerment stand fundamental in how he moves forward building the team.  McKenzie is the founder of Influencer Conference, an international event series bringing together tastemakers across the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology.  He is also managing partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC.  Previously he worked in Domestic Equity Trading at Goldman, Sachs, & Co.  He earned his BA from Howard University and MBA from Duke University. 

How to Manage Up and Manage Down - Phil McKenzie

In Chapter 21 of 21 in his 2011 interview, media and marketing entrepreneur Phil McKenzie answers "What Has Your Experience Taught You About Managing Up and Managing Down?"  McKenzie believes setting clear expectations is fundamental in both cases.  McKenzie is the founder of Influencer Conference, an international event series bringing together tastemakers across the arts, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and technology.  He is also managing partner of influencer marketing agency FREE DMC.  Previously he worked in Domestic Equity Trading at Goldman, Sachs, & Co.  He earned his BA from Howard University and MBA from Duke University. 

How to Build and Scale a Food Passion Business - Julie Hession

In Chapter 1 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "To What Do You Aspire?"  Hession highlights how she is taking progressive steps to connect her passion for food to a food business career.  She highlights how incremental steps, from launching a specialty food store to creating a food product line to doing food writing are giving her a well-rounded skillset to refine and scale her food business.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

Julie Hession on Finding Personal Best by Embracing Challenge

In Chapter 2 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "When are You at Your Best?"  Hession feels she is at her best when she has more on her plate than she can accomplish and when she is challenged.  She shares how she competed in the Sterling Wines Ultimate Host event, planning an entertainment experience by herself with a limited budget in a limited timeframe.  She won the event, receiving a $40,000 award from Padma Lakshmi and becoming an ambassador for Sterling Wines.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

Finding Happiness in Challenge and Competition - Julie Hession

In Chapter 3 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "How Do You Define and Measure Success in What You Do?"  A self-described competitive person, Hession makes sure to stay busy and have a full, if not overwhelming, list of things to do.  She finds it energizes her and compels her to do her best work.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

How Julie Hession Turns Cooking Passion Into Food Career

In Chapter 4 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Biederman Hession answers "What is the Source of Your Cooking Passion?  As a child, Hession's mom gives Juile the freedom to experiment in the kitchen.  Growing up she gets more comfortable around food by playing restaurant, building 5-course menus with a Sesame Street Cookbook.  Many years later, while in business school, Hession re-immerses herself in cooking, building confidence in dinner parties and food events.  Near the end of business school, Hession finds a mentor in food entrepreneur Sarah Foster, who connects Julie to Patricia Kluge.  Hession goes on to work for Kluge and build a farm shop, launching her career in food.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

How Parents Influence Career Aspirations - Julie Hession

In Chapter 5 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "What Role Has Your Family Played in Shaping Your Career Aspirations?"  Hession notes how her parents balanced plenty of support with strict academic expectations in school.  This teaches Julie and her brother work ethic.  Her father pushes Julie to follow her passion in figuring out career options.  As her food career shapes, she finds motivation in her parents' continual support.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

When to Pursue a Career That is Not Your College Major - Julie Hession

In Chapter 6 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "After majoring in hotel and restaurant management in college what made you decide to shift away from that in your career?"  Studying in Las Vegas, Hession finds the glamorous picture of hotel management career does not meet what she experiences.  With advice from her father, she decides to make a change to find work outside her college major.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

Transcription: 

Erik:  After majoring in hotel and restaurant management in college, what made you decide to shift away from that in your career?

Julie:  Well, the fact that about three months into my first job out of college I decided that I hated hotel and restaurant management, that was my first clue.  And it was interesting because, you know, when you’re an undergrad and you’re taking four years in this curriculum and all you’re learning about is you know hotel and restaurant management, hotel and restaurant law, hotel and restaurant marketing, you know 'cause – I had casino management.  I mean, my life was surrounded, and it was Las Vegas, UNLV, so the city revolves around hotels and restaurants. 

So I kind of had tunnel vision and I was thinking, "Well, this is what I've chosen to do, I'm tied to it.  This is gonna be my life."  And I got my first job with Windham Hotels.  They don't tell you where they’re gonna put you when they hire you.  You make no money when you graduate with a hotel and restaurant management degree.  They basically tell you that the first day of school when you’re a freshman.  You sit down and they say, "You're gonna work 100 hours a week and you're gonna make no money.  Welcome to college." 

You know, I should have just you know headed for the door just then, but the idea of it still excited me at that point.  I still had this whole -- there's this show called Hotel on, this drama that was called Hotel like back in the 80's that created a very glamorous picture of what it was like to work in a hotel.  And I think that kind of, in some way, when I got to college I thought I was gonna be like that, you know?  This glamorous Connie Sellecca lady that you know ran the hotel.  So it was a rude awakening when I was like crawling around taping wires to the floor for like a food and beverage banquet, you know?  So anyway I got the job with Windham, they put me in Annapolis, Maryland, which I had – you know great city but I had no friends there.  You didn't really make a lot of friends working in this small hotel in the city and I was just – I was so unhappy. 

I wasn't happy at work, I wasn't happy with what I was doing and this was an instance where my dad came down to Annapolis.  He drove down to Annapolis, took me to lunch and he said, "You know this isn’t right for you.  You need to figure out, you know, and you don't need to do it tomorrow, you don't need to do it the next day but I think you need to figure out what you want to do and make a change and figure out how you’re gonna get there."  So that was like such an "Aha!" moment for me that I could do something else.  You know, my major -- I didn't have to do my major.  So – and that was huge because then I started just kind of looking around and I think kind of opening my mind a little bit.  You know, back then I knew I loved food but I wasn't at all thinking like food career 'cause when I thought food I thought, "Okay restaurant management," so that wasn't clicking.

How Earning an MBA Enables Career Change - Julie Hession

In Chapter 7 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "Why Did You Decide to Get an MBA?"  Hession did not know what to do with her career and decides to get an MBA to figure out her longer term career aspirations.  She leaves pharmaceutical sales for the intellectual stimulation of an MBA classroom.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

Learning Small Business Working at American Express - Julie Hession

In Chapter 8 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "How Did Working at American Express During Business School Teach You About the World of Small Business?"  Hession interns at American Express while studying at Duke for her MBA.  She gets paired with three senior women and it tasked with doing the competitive analysis with the company's new foray into small business, the Blue Card.  She gets exposure to a new market, and also senior female leadership, that open her mind to future career options.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

When Can an MBA Degree Help an Entrepreneur - Julie Hession

In Chapter 9 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "Where Has Your MBA Been Most Useful in Your Career as an Entrepreneur?"  Hession shares how her MBA coursework in marketing and entrepreneurship provided foundation experiences she could build upon as she created her own business.  Over time, experience teaches Hession not to rely on business plans and to more openly embrace change.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

How to Find a Mentor - Julie Hession

In Chapter 10 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "How Have You Established Mentors in Your Career and How Have They Helped Most?"  Hession notes how she learns to overcome fear and be more aggressive approaching people she admires.  She finds the more successful a person is, the more willing they are to help you and give back to you.  She tells the story of meeting Sarah Foster, of Foster's Market and cookbook fame, and how the mentoring relationship evolved into a friendship.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

Learning Creativity by Writing Recipes - Julie Hession

In Chapter 11 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "How Has Recipe Writing Teaches You to Be More Creative?"  In addition to her granola company, Hession has a recipe blog, "Peanut Butter and Julie", and regularly competes in recipe contests.  She shares the importance of investing time in clearly crafting an easy to understand recipe.  The process teaches Hession invest time researching recipes and teaching others how to make them.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV.

How to Think Like an Entrepreneur - Julie Hession

In Chapter 12 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "How Has the Trial and Error Process Shaped Entrepreneur Career Choices?"  Hession shares how she has embraced the uncertainty and risk that come with learning to operate as an entrepreneur.  She shares it is like "nothing ventured, nothing gained" and details specific experiences that have contributed to her growth, including being a winning contestant on the Food Network and winning Sterling Wines Ultimate Host Competition.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV.

When to Stop Trying New Things and Commit to a Project - Julie Hession

In Chapter 13 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "How Do You Balance Experimentation and Commitment in the Projects You Pursue?"  Hession, who owns a Julie Anne's Granola Company, learns to find balance between growing existing initiatives and starting new ones.  She finds outside projects - reality show submissions, cooking contests, a recipe blog - a good way to push herself creatively without shifting from her core business focus. Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

How Failure Builds Entrepreneur Backbone - Julie Hession

In Chapter 14 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession "What Role Has Failure Played in Shaping Your Career Trajectory?"  Hession notes that while starting a specialty food store modeled after Dean and Deluca ended in failure, it provided a positive learning experience and gave her backbone to start another venture.  The experience makes her more street smart, aggressive and confident.  Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV. 

What Marriage Teaches About Teamwork - Julie Hession

In Chapter 15 of 21 in her 2011 Capture Your Flag interview, food entrepreneur Julie Hession answers "What Has Marriage Taught You About Teamwork?"  Hession shares how her personality complements that of her spouse in many ways.  She shares how they learn to complement and each other and appreciate each others strengths.  Hession notes the importance of having a supportive husband who believes in what she is doing. Julie Hession is the founder of Julie Anne's All Natural Granola Company.  Passionate about food since childhood, Hession has developed her career by food blogging, cooking contests, and starting fine food companies.  Hession earned an MBA in Marketing from Duke University and a BA from UNLV.