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The Road to WhyFrom start-up entrepreneurs to multi-generational family business owners, most founders are driven to succeed for reasons well beyond making money. Author: The Northern Trust Institute
From start-up entrepreneurs to multi-generational family business owners, most founders are driven to succeed for reasons well beyond making money. Whether its a passion for reshaping their industry, building a family legacy or advancing the causes they care most about or, in many cases, all of the above exploring the larger why of their lifes work offers insights into how successful leaders operate and what is really important to them. On The Road to Why, host Eric Czepyha, Director of Business Services at Northern Trust, speaks with business owners, entrepreneurs and visionaries about business, family, wealth and legacy and shares advice and life lessons from those who have found success in ways expected and unexpected. Language: en Genres: Business, Entrepreneurship, Investing Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Legacy Requires Humility with Brenda Smola-Foti and Frank Foti (The Ground)
Episode 25
Monday, 15 September, 2025
Brenda Smola-Foti and Frank Foti are co-founders of The Ground in Willamette Valley, Oregon. The Ground is a place that almost defies definition – it is a regenerative agriculture farm, but also includes an Inn and Farmhouse where guests can stay, a restaurant, and a farm store. Frank and Brenda host workshops, nature tours, group retreats, guided meditations and a lot more. The Ground may be different things for different people, but it is tied together by a cohesive set of values that are important to Brenda and Frank, including connection, humility and caring for our planet. (1:06) – What was Brenda’s upbringing like?(3:43) – What drove Brenda to go from fashion to farming?(5:03) – How did Frank find his way into the family business?(9:34) – What experiences led to Frank joining The Ground?(11:46) – Why is the theme of connection important to Frank?(12:30) – What were some of the early issues Brenda and Frank faced while establishing The Ground?(15:50) – What exactly is The Ground?(16:45) – How do all the facets of The Ground work together?(19:26) – How do Brenda and Frank divide and tackle their tasks?(21:54) – What is Brenda’s “why”?(22:48) – What is Frank’s “why”?(24:47) – How are Brenda and Frank thinking about succession? © 2025 Northern Trust Corporation. Head Office: 50 South La Salle Street, Chicago, IL 60603. Incorporated with limited liability in the U.S. Member FDIC.
