On today’s episode Joe Slawek shares the difference between and entrepreneur and a CEO, as well as how each role is responsible for different business goals. Listen in as Deborah and Joe discuss how your relationship with risk changes as a business grows, how trust radiates into workplace culture, and how to make the transition from corporate to entrepreneurial roles.

After years in the flavor industry, Joe Slawek saw the need for a different kind of flavor company that had both great technology and great service. We call it “high tech, high touch.”

Joe wanted to build an organization that could compete with the largest flavor companies across a range of market segments, but also connect with customers as only small companies can, developing relationships, sharing visions, methods and time. He founded FONA in 1987 on these principles.

It’s this commitment to customers that makes FONA a special organization and led to FONA’s numerous awards and recognition (including Forbes Small Giants, Great Place to Work, Inc. Best Workplaces and Fortune magazine). Joe has been personally honored with the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year award for Manufacturing in the Midwest.

You can connect to Joe via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-james-slawek-7954a8/

Are you a CEO dealing with change? Part inspiration, part strategy, I’ve created this resource for CEO’s who leading their team through a rapid transition and looking for a resource and guide to help them stay confident, focused, and a mentor for others. You can download it here: https://mailchi.mp/coviellocm/the-ceos-compass