On this episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, host Paul Spiegelman talks with Blair Kellison, CEO of Traditional Medicinals, a mission-driven, organic and fair trade wellness tea company based in Sonoma County, California.
Blair Kellison made the best decision in 1995 by taking a 70 percent pay cut to leave the corporate world and take a job at a mission-driven, vegetarian tea company. As a four-time non-founder CEO, Blair has a reputation for being able to go into companies and transition them from a traditional, command-and-control style of leadership to a collaborative, values-driven team approach.
At Traditional Medicinals, Blair has helped grow the company from 60 employees to 200, and they recently surpassed $100 million in revenue. More importantly, Blair has finally found his passion: both working in the mission-driven, health food space and in helping others find their own passions. A deeply purpose-driven person, Blair is committed to making every person at Traditional Medicinals feel cared for and seen as an individual, and he's teaching founders and other leaders how to do the same.
In this episode, hear Paul and Blair discuss the key differences between founders and CEOs, and how leadership is an ongoing commitment to doing better than the day before. Plus, hear Blair's inspiring advice for those still looking for their passion, and his personal promise to help you find it.
Tune in to Paul and Blair's conversation on Apple Podcasts or Google Play or listen below:
Show Notes:
[1:15] Reinventing the Business of Medicine
[8:27] Unexpected Optimism in this Time
[15:46] The Benefits of Being a B Student
[29:55] Always Ask About the Dog
[33:07] Leadership Is Like Groundhog Day
[34:04] Be Inspired to Be Like You
Books that inspired Blair's leadership:
Good to Great by Jim Collins
Built to Last by Jim Collins
The Goal by Eliyahu M. Goldratt