I met up with Jeff Kearl on Taco Tuesday at Sancho's Tacos in San Clemente, California. He has reshaped the sock industry by creating Stance, one of the most well known and comfortable sock brands around. As an investor, founder and entrepreneur, Jeff is great at observing market trends and filling them. He has also developed a thriving company culture of excellence and efficiency. I wanted to learn how he was able to create such a thriving company, and what secrets have helped him and his employees thrive.... All…over tacos. It really doesn’t get much better than this!

 

Secret #1: Deconstruct everything in the R&D phaseSecret #2: Ask lots of questions, listen and act on the answersSecret #3: Focus on what you can control and execute flawlesslySecret #4: Build a team that's scrappy, gritty and figures it outSecret #5: Reinforce your company values constantly Secret #6: Operationalize a culture of gratitudeSecret #7: Stand for more than what you sellSecret #8: Surround yourself with those who see your potentialSecret #9: Position your product differently in a profitable marketSecret #10: Connect your customer to your product on a deep levelSecret #11: Mission-driven businesses require hard work and disciplineSecret #12: Be kind and respectful — the key to personal successSecret #13: Find positive, inspiring and smart people to create your teamSecret #14: Think independently and embrace your originalitySecret #15: Beware of "Best practices" because they yield common resultsSecret #16: Believe in your people to unlock their potential

 

YOUR INPUT, FEEDBACK AND IDEAS

Thanks so much for watching this episode of Tacoincidence! I'd love to to hear your feedback and ideas so drop a COMMENT below, hit me up on Instagram, email, phone or ...over tacos. Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to this podcast so you'll be the first to know when the new episodes are released (basically your Taco Tuesday alarm clock).

 

LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Taco Stop #13: Sancho’s Tacos, San Clemente, California

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Stance

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Jeff Kearl

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Scott Porter

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Search for the Perfect Taco: 

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ABOUT TACOINCIDENCE

This is Tacoincidence — where we learn in this unconventional master class the secrets of breakthrough culture, brand experience and human connection from the most brilliant leaders while we’re on the search for the perfect taco. I'm your host, Scott Porter, entrepreneur, brand experience strategist and the taco-obsessed founder of Search for the Perfect Taco.

In my lifelong search, I’ve learned the taco experience is even more than crazy good tacos — it’s about real human connection. And Tacoincidence is about discovering how visionary leaders build successful organizations with human experience at the core of their brand’s DNA. Whether it’s with granola bars, electric bikes, software or socks. I wanted to learn why these leaders believe in the power of relationship-based brand experience, what they do to create it and how it’s helped them thrive. All…over tacos.

Join the journey on our website — you’re not going to want to miss out on our national taco tour we’re planning! Follow us on social media, subscribe to the podcast and YouTube channel, and tune in every Taco Tuesday for new episodes of Tacoincidence, where we’ll continue to explore the secrets to level-up your culture and brand experience AND your taco game.