Panera Breads Ron Shaich and Kinds Daniel Lubetzky discuss creativity, control, and the future of entrepreneurialism.
The setting was spare: a small table and two chairs in an otherwise empty conference room in Kind’s New York City headquarters. The discussion was anything but.
In the first installment of a new series called Icons and Innovators, Inc. has paired well-known but not necessarily like-minded entrepreneurs to talk about their work.
Ron Shaich, the force behind Au Bon Pain and Panera Bread, also started Act III, an investment firm that provides what he calls “venture management” and eschews the traditional VC model in favor of long-term investment. Over a 36-year career, Shaich has made high-stakes decisions as his businesses have evolved, including dumping Au Bon Pain. He sees his job as studying consumers to find out how to solve their problems. It’s allowed him to anticipate trends such as fast-casual dining, which led him to Panera.
Daniel Lubetzky is the classic, from-the-ground-up entrepreneur. An immigrant from Mexico, he veered away from a law career to pursue and create an all-natural, minimally processed snack bar that would change the market for healthy treats. He turned Kind into a multibillion-dollar, purpose-driven company. Along the way, he learned how to do every job needed to make Kind a success, like showing up at stores at 5 a.m. to meet buyers, and handing out samples on planes. He is the customer, but now must operate within a much larger corporate environment.
Despite different approaches to their businesses—Shaich is more analytical, Lubetzky more intuitive—the two found a lot to share about the state of innovation and entrepreneurship in their hourlong conversation. You can read the highlights in the following pages or view the entire conversation at Inc.com. —BILL SAPORITO
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
A Bankable Pet Project - How Moonshots Capital helped eTailPet scale up and attract a buyer in just three years.
Berenice Giannini's startup, eTailPet, wasn't a natural fit for Moonshots Capital. The Austin-based venture firm, launched in 2014 by Kelly Perdew and Craig Cummings, both of whom had previously served in the U.S. Army, frequently backs companies founded by military veterans.
Backers Should Have Your Back - The best capital provider for your business will offer a helping hand, not just deep pockets.
Three years ago, U.S. entrepreneurs were enjoying one of the best funding environments in decades. Venture capital and private equity hit all-time highs as banks loaned at historically low interest rates. All you needed to get a term sheet, it seemed, was a smile and a pitch deck.
Lift Off - Would you pay $50,000 to touch the edge of space?
Would you pay $50,000 to touch the edge of space? Meet the entrepreneurs providing a rarified clientele with a luxurious, once-in-a-lifetime journey.So you want to go to space. To take in the expansive curvature of the Earth glowing miles above the atmosphere, surrounded by pure darkness. To experience the mind-altering overview effect described by astronauts as a transcendent state of awe, staring back at the planet on which you've inhaled your every living breath.
There Will Always be Those Who Doubt You and Your Vision. Here's How to Tune Them Out. - Recently, I invited an experienced luxury hotelier to visit the new campus we were building near Santa Fe for Modern Elder Academy,
Recently, I invited an experienced luxury hotelier to visit the new campus we were building near Santa Fe for Modern Elder Academy, the midlife wisdom school I co-founded in 2018.
A Scientific Discovery that Unlocks Your Body's Healing Power
The founder of Stemregen, a company that creates powerful supplements that stimulate the body's natural repair system, explains how a \"fringe idea\" opened up a new world of stem cell therapy.
Transformative Growth: Agency Masters the Art of Evolution
As a destination marketer, Awestruck has mapped out a journey to success by constantly developing its services and its staff.
For the Love of the Restaurant Experience
The founder and CEO of DJB Hospitality shares his passion for the challenging and uniquely rewarding hospitality industry.
Custom PEO Solutions for Blue-Collar Industries
COMPEO is an HR management solutions provider with a jaw-dropping five-figure growth rate.
Homebuying Was BrokenMeet the Founders Here to Fix It
Cecilian Partners is a fast-growing technology firm providing end-to-end solutions for production homebuilders and land developers.
A Focus on Complete Solutions for Regulatory Environments
The Northcross Group develops sustainable processes for clients with compliance needs.