Shows
Confessions Beyond the FoodPreston Nguyen: Pressure, Leadership & Staying Grounded (Part 2)In Part 2 of Confessions: Beyond the Food, the conversation shifts from winning… to what it takes to sustain it.After early success, the real test isn’t talent — it’s leadership, discipline, and how you show up when people are counting on you.Preston Nguyen opens up about what it’s like leading in high-pressure environments — from running kitchens at international music festivals to working alongside chefs from different cultures where systems, expectations, and communication all change.We talk about the reality behind “success”:The pressure that comes with itThe responsibility of leading teams ol...
2026-04-2325 minConfessions Beyond the FoodPreston Nguyen: Winning the World Food Championships at 18 (Part 1)At 18, Preston Nguyen didn’t plan on competing in the World Food Championships.He was going to volunteer.Instead, a last-minute opportunity put him in the competition — alongside his parents — going up against chefs with decades more experience… and they walked away as Rookie of the Year.In Part 1 of Confessions: Beyond the Food, Preston shares how everything changed — from a COVID pivot into cooking, to winning Rookie of the Year, to stepping onto Next Level Chef at just 19.This episode is about what happens when success hits early — and the pressure tha...
2026-04-0728 minConfessions Beyond the FoodAI Isn’t the Problem. Culture Is. - Ian HellerAI isn’t the barrier in distribution.Culture is.In this episode of Confessions Beyond the Food, Nancy sits down with Ian Heller — AI expert and Chief Strategy Officer at Distribution Strategy Group — to explore what’s really slowing adoption across foodservice, sales, and manufacturing.They unpack:• Why this AI shift is fundamentally different from past technology cycles• The growing gap between leadership urgency and frontline skepticism• How AI challenges the traditional identity of the sales rep• The fears reps don’t openly admit — from exposure to irrelevance• Why “AI isn’t...
2026-03-2638 minConfessions Beyond the FoodThe AI Confession: What Foodservice Sales Leaders Aren’t Ready to Hear - Dr Elena ParkFoodservice sales has always been built on relationships.But what happens when intelligence evolves?In this episode of Confessions Beyond the Food, Nancy sits down with Dr. Elena Park, an AI strategist specializing in sales transformation, to explore how artificial intelligence is already influencing territory management, pricing strategy, commission models, and performance expectations across the foodservice industry.They discuss:• How AI is quietly shaping sales decisions• Whether reps should feel threatened• What will never be automated• How leaders should frame AI internally• What separates average reps from elite ones...
2026-02-2609 minConfessions Beyond the FoodFrom Military to Sales Leadership: Finding Purpose After the Uniform - Shawn PorterLife can pivot on a single decision — sign the contract, board the plane, lace up before dawn.Shawn Porter’s journey spans a family legacy of military service, deployment to Iraq, and now leading one of the largest sales districts at Edward Don & Company. He shares what it was like returning home to a world that hadn’t changed — while he had — and how he learned to replace military structure with self-discipline in business.We talk about transition, backplanning success, thriving in uncomfortable rooms, and why veterans often excel when persistence decides the outcome. Shawn also revea...
2026-02-1242 minConfessions Beyond the FoodNo Sugarcoating: How Leaders Drive Alignment and TrustIn this episode, Nancy Ridlen sits down with Jeanette Brick, President of iSi North America, for a grounded, no-fluff conversation on leadership built on customer truth, mentor-driven growth, and disciplined listening.Jeanette explains why learning to sell before leading marketing keeps brands from talking to themselves - and how retail instincts translate into food service, where emotional connection meets operational reality. She reflects on the mentors who raised her standards, challenged her thinking without sugarcoating, and pushed her forward without taking control - because comfort may feel kind, but clarity is what works in life and in...
2026-01-2930 minConfessions Beyond the FoodLeading Beyond ComfortWhen friends and colleagues get together, you’re bound to learn—and laugh.In this episode, host Nancy Ridlen, Principal at W3 Sales, sits down with Shannon Tallon, VP of Merchandising at Edward Don & Company, for a candid conversation about growth, leadership, and facing fear head-on.Shannon pulls back the curtain on the moment her promotion felt both surreal and deeply earned. Together, Nancy and Shannon explore what happens after the big win: navigating new responsibility, choosing courage over comfort, and leading with intention in an industry that often prioritizes speed over...
2026-01-0637 minConfessions Beyond the FoodGrit, Grace, Gratitude, And PastriesWhat does it take to build a national pastry brand without losing your soul—or your partner? Nancy Ridlen sits down with KRMA Foods co-founders Rachel Oostman and Marine Crile to share the real story behind their QVC debut, late-night spreadsheets, and the values that kept them grounded when things got tough.They unpack how their partnership evolved, the principles that shaped their culture, and the moments that nearly broke the business before they finally hit break-even. Rachel and Marine also challenge old playbooks for women in food, showing how vulnerability, intuition, and aligned decision-making led them to...
2025-11-2532 minConfessions Beyond the FoodThe Bourbon Badass: Leadership with HeartFrom sales strategy to social influence — and a little bourbon in between 🥃 This week on Confessions Beyond the Food, Nancy Ridlen sits down with Anthony Salemi, VP of Strategic Sales at Ace Mart and the man behind Bourbon Badass. They talk about how the foodservice industry is evolving, what fuels his competitive spirit, and one powerful moment that brings it all back to what really matters. 🎧 Listen now — you’ll laugh, you’ll nod, and you might even tear up.
2025-11-1328 minConfessions Beyond the FoodFaith, Family, Then Food - A Frank Conversation with John FrankeWhat happens when a chef known for speed, standards, and scaling brands decides to flip the script and live “God first, family second, work third”? We sat down with our friend John Franke—chef, leader, and founder of Franke Culinary Consulting—to talk about faith in a high-pressure industry and how convictions hold up when tickets are firing, clients are waiting, and home life is loud.John opens up about the long arc from kitchen chaos to steady leadership, including a season when work paused, family tensions rose, and he had to choose surrender over spin. He shares h...
2025-10-3031 minConfessions Beyond the FoodComfort Food Crusade - Myles Powell's Food Network Survivor's TaleWhat happens when a civil engineer discovers his true calling isn’t in concrete and steel—but in cast iron and cornbread? Meet Myles, the founder of Myles Comfort Foods, who traded spreadsheets for skillets and built a frozen food brand that’s shaking up supermarket aisles.In this episode, Myles shares his extraordinary journey from corporate burnout to Food Network competitor to bold food entrepreneur. For him, the dinner table was always sacred—a place where southern comfort classics brought his family together. After just two days in an engineering job, an existential crisis led him back to...
2025-07-2430 minConfessions Beyond the FoodUnshakable: Women’s Wisdom from the Frontlines of Foodservice, Sales & StartupsNancy Ridlen shares ten hard-earned lessons for women in foodservice, sales and entrepreneurship, drawing from her 25 years of experience navigating spaces that weren't always built for women. These personal confessions offer a roadmap for staying authentic while confronting biases and building successful careers in any industry.Embrace Who You AreKnow You Will Face ChallengesUnderstand Communication PerceptionAddress Harassment and Microaggressions Head-OnBe Kind and Uplifting to Other WomenMentor the Next GenerationDo Your Homework on Company CultureConfront Bullying TacticsLeverage the Unique Strengths Women BringAvoid Reverse DiscriminationFollow our social media at W3 Sales. Please like, comment and subscribe.
2025-07-1024 minConfessions Beyond the FoodBeyond the Sale: How Jason Morgan Earns Trust and Delivers ResultsWhat separates a top-tier sales rep from the rest? Jason Morgan, DSR of the Month at Edward Don & Company, shares how a customer-first mindset, operational insight, and strategic problem-solving helped him earn one of foodservice’s highest honors.In this episode: • How Jason uses his restaurant background to anticipate customer needs • Managing multiple roles: sales, logistics, credit & more • Navigating industry shifts: price transparency, e-commerce & AI • Why relationships still matter more than ever • And yes—a memorable story involving a Willie Nelson concert 🎤🎧 Tune in to hear how putting customers first c...
2025-05-2925 minConfessions Beyond the FoodWork Hard, Laugh Harder: Real Strategies for Workplace Joy10 Real Things to Make the Job FunSo let’s be honest, work is work. But, that doesn’t mean it has to be boring, stressful, or something you just ‘get through’. At W3 Sales we believe that fun isn’t just a perk, it’s a part of the process. From inside jokes to team banter to real vacation and Think Tanks that spark some really crazy ideas we found that building a connected, energized culture makes everything better. So today we are sharing 10 real things we do to make the job fun. And spoiler...
2025-05-0718 minConfessions Beyond the FoodRestaurant Visionary: Mark Brezinski's Creative JourneyIn this episode of Confessions Beyond the Food, listeners are taken behind the scenes with restaurant industry veteran and creative powerhouse Mark Brezinski—author of Fork Fight and the visionary behind some of the country’s most iconic dining concepts. From the early days of Macaroni Grill to the launch of Pei Wei and collaborations with brands like Pizza Hut and Velvet Taco, Brezinski has left a lasting mark on the foodservice landscape.This conversation explores the emotional and often unpredictable journey of building a restaurant from the ground up. It’s a raw, revealing look at the sp...
2025-04-1739 minConfessions Beyond the FoodBeyond The Hustle: The Raw Truth About EntrepreneurshipWant the real deal on what it takes to build a successful food service business? Nancy Ridlen keeps it honest, sharing a decade’s worth of hard-earned lessons they don’t teach in business school.After landing two dream clients, she thought she’d made it—but real growth came from the unexpected twists, tough decisions, and learning to lead with clarity over people-pleasing.As an Enneagram Three “Achiever,” Nancy admits she used to run at 150 mph. But building W3 taught her that sustainable success takes patience, realistic goals, and strong relationships. The biggest shift? Letting go o...
2025-04-1029 minConfessions Beyond the FoodWhat’s Your Relationship Status with Food?!On this episode of Confessions Beyond the Food, Liz Oba takes us on a deliciously personal journey—from hospital dietitian to Real Food Mission Ambassador at Thomas Cuisine. Her story is filled with food love, health revelations, and plenty of myth-busting along the way.Food Was Her First Love: Growing up with adventurous-eating parents, Liz learned to try new foods without fear or pressure—whether it was a funky veggie or an exotic dish. Her Dad Was the Food Police: When her physician father linke...
2025-03-2533 minConfessions Beyond the FoodLeading with Legacy: A Father-Daughter StoryBill Burden and his daughter Jennifer Rolander explore the deep connections of family, legacy, and leadership that define their business journey. Their conversation reveals how childhood experiences shaped their professional paths and the critical importance of mentorship in family-run enterprises. • Bill's journey in Burden China from childhood involvement • Jennifer's early influences and desire for the family business • The significance of family values in business practices • The blend of science and craftsmanship in production • Importance of mentorship and knowledge transfer • Lessons learned from working together as a family
2025-02-2535 minConfessions Beyond the FoodScaling a Chocolate Empire without Sacrificing QualityJust in time for Valentines' Day! 😍 The Real Life Willy Wonka of the Midwest, Dan Abel Jr joins Nancy Ridlen on the latest episode. Dan shares how he scaled the family business without sacrificing quality. What is so fascinating about the company history is that the Bissinger's roots go back to 1668 in Paris, France, and revolve around King Louis the XIV & Napolean Bonaparte! For over 200 years, the company had the distinction of being Confectioner to the Empire. Once a brand reserved for Royalty in France is alive and well and still being enjoyed in the USA.Who...
2025-02-1125 minConfessions Beyond the FoodPassion and Perseverance: Jennifer Rolander’s Culinary JourneyJennifer Rolander's journey through the food service industry reveals the importance of passion, connection, and mentorship in achieving success. Her experiences highlight the value of lifelong learning and the profound impact of fostering relationships, especially among aspiring culinary professionals. • Jennifer’s early experiences in her family's pottery business • Transitioning from restaurant ownership to corporate roles • Pursuing an MBA later in life for personal and professional growth • The significance of relationships in the hospitality industry • Overcoming challenges and learning from failures • Engaging and mentoring students at the Culinary Institute of America • The role of giving back thr...
2025-01-2830 minConfessions Beyond the FoodSuccessful Sales Strategies - Top 10 Ways to Kick Off Your New YearCelebrating 10 years of W3 Sales provides a platform for reflection, growth, and valuable lessons learned. Nancy delves into the importance of learning from mistakes, nurturing team culture, adapting to market challenges, and embracing failure as part of the journey.• Reflecting on the past as a critical step for growth • Importance of learning from mistakes to avoid the insanity cycle • People-centered approach as the company's DNA • Establishing and maintaining a strong company culture • Importance of teamwork and building friendships in the workplace • Building a solid infrastructure to support clients • Navigating the complexities of the marketplace a...
2025-01-0924 minConfessions Beyond the FoodLeading a Successful Sales Firm in a People First CultureWe explore the importance of relationships and a people-first culture in the food service industry with Jeff Griffiths, President of eSource Miller & our host, Nancy Ridlen. From employee empowerment to customer connections, this episode is packed with insights on creating a thriving business environment. • Discussing the journey and experiences in the food service industry • Importance of relationships and culture in business • Empowering teams by understanding individual strengths • Cultivating a service-oriented organization • Navigating mergers while maintaining company culture • Emphasizing transparency and open communication • Finding inspiration and motivation in leadership
2024-12-2332 minConfessions Beyond the FoodEmbracing Tradition in a Digital AgeWhat if you could transform a century-old company's digital presence while preserving its cherished traditions? Caroline Webre, Ben E Keith's innovative social media marketing manager, shares her inspiring journey of revitalizing this well-established brand's online footprint. With a focus on meaningful interactions over mere follower counts, Caroline reveals her strategies for aligning Ben E Keith's family-oriented, reliable, and friendly culture with modern content platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram. Her creative approach and passion have not only enhanced the company's visibility but have also strengthened connections with employees, customers, and vendors.The heart of our conversation beats with...
2024-12-0519 minConfessions Beyond the FoodFrom Cake Pops to Culinary Fame: Chef David Burke's JourneyHow did Chef David Burke rise from a time when being a chef wasn't highly regarded to become an international culinary ambassador? Listen as we promise to reveal the secrets behind his remarkable journey. From his inventive cake pop creations to his travels across 30 countries, Chef Burke's story is a testament to passion and perseverance in the culinary world.Managing multiple restaurants across states is no small feat, especially with the intense work hours and extensive travel. Hear firsthand about the evolving dynamics within the culinary industry, including the impact of the pandemic on wages and workforce...
2024-11-1544 min
Tips from Trestle: The Senior Living Food and Hospitality PodcastBeyond The PlateIn this episode of Tips from Trestle, host Aaron Fish interviews Nancy Ridlen, owner of W3 Sales, about innovative approaches to senior living dining experiences. Nancy discusses the importance of balancing aesthetics and functionality in tableware design, emphasizing the need for elevated dining experiences that feel like home. She highlights the significance of understanding each community's unique needs, collaborating with various stakeholders, and considering factors such as heat retention, breakage, and resident dignity. Nancy also shares insights on creating cohesive dining experiences across different service types and overcoming common challenges in senior living food service projects.
Tips...
2024-10-0124 minConfessions Beyond the FoodRedefining Senior Living Services with Aaron FishWhat happens when you blend the precision of computer science with the heart of hospitality? Join host Nancy Ridlen in this insightful episode of Confessions Beyond the Food as she interviews Aaron Fish, CEO of Trestle Hospitality Concepts.Aaron shares how senior living communities are transforming with strategic growth, creative revenue opportunities, and elevated dining experiences to meet the demands of a new generation. Discover how innovative culinary approaches, smart regional expansion, and technology are shaping the future of senior living, while providing chefs and hospitality professionals a chance to thrive. Tune in to learn how senior...
2024-09-1327 min