Libsyn Directory

Ricky Brooks | President of The National Christian Foundation/Alabama (NCF) | Being an Intentional Entrepreneur

Release Date: 01/03/2024

Brad Martin | Chairman of RBM Ventures, Vice Chairman of FedEx Corporation, and Retired Chairman and CEO of Saks Incorporated

The Wow Factor

Brad Martin has significant experience in leadership, corporate strategy, public company governance, and entrepreneurial ventures. He served nearly 20 years as Chairman and CEO of Saks Incorporated. During his tenure, the enterprise grew from a $70 million annual revenue 10-store chain into one of the largest department store businesses in the United States. He has previously served on the Boards of Caesars Entertainment, Dillard’s, Chesapeake Energy, First Horizon, Gaylord Entertainment, Lululemon Athletica, and Ruby Tuesday. Brad served five terms as a member of the Tennessee House...

Lt Col Dan Rooney: Air Force Fighter Pilot and Founder of The Folds of Honor Foundation | The Power of Synchronicity: Lt Col Dan's Journey of Faith, Leadership, and Purpose

The Wow Factor

Lt Col Dan Rooney, an Air Force fighter pilot and a force for good. From humble beginnings above his garage, he founded The Folds of Honor Foundation to provide educational scholarships to the families of disabled or fallen military members, and, beginning in 2022, the mission was expanded to include first responders. In his new book, FLY INTO THE WIND: How to Harness Faith and Fearlessness on Your Ascent to Greatness, Lt Col Rooney demonstrates how we are all connected by God, and the path to fulfillment begins with changing ourselves to better one another. Lt Col Dan shares his faith...

Tim Goeglein | Vice President of External and Government Relations for Focus on the Family | The Best Days are Yet to Come

The Wow Factor

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Paul Saber | President & CEO Manna Development Group, LLC | Being a True Servant Leader

The Wow Factor

Paul Saber has been a restaurant owner since 1980. He was the Owner/Operator of McDonald’s restaurants from 1985-2001. In 2003, Paul became President and CEO of Manna Development Group, LLC, and currently holds the Area Development Agreement for Panera Bread. In 2022, Paul was the recipient of the Fierce Brand Love Award. Paul served on the Board of Directors of several Christian ministries and served as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association from 2007 to 2009. I’m excited to have Paul Saber on the podcast this week to share his experiences and insights...

Kevin Lavelle | Co-Founder and CEO of Harbor | A New Way to Monitor Your Kids

The Wow Factor

Kevin Lavelle is the Co-Founder and CEO of Harbor. Kevin brings a wealth of experience from his role as the Founder and Chairman of Mizzen+ Main, having invented the world's first performance fabric dress shirt. With a successful growth round raised from L Catterton, partnerships with world-renowned athletes like Phil Mickelson and JJ Watt, and a background in omnichannel retail, Kevin is not only a dedicated entrepreneur but also a loving husband and father of two. Kevin joins me on the show to discuss his brand-new venture, Harbor. Kevin shares his frustration with current baby...

Dallen Peterson | Founder of Merry Maids and Author | Honoring God Through Business

The Wow Factor

Dallen Peterson is the Founder of Merry Maids and author of an amazing business book, titled “Rags, Riches & Real Success.” In his book, he shares his remarkable true story and success principles based on personal faith. He shares the story of the founding of Merry Maids, its phenomenal growth, and how it eventually became part of the ServiceMaster family. Dallen’s book also shares the seven principles for real success, all life truths that come from serving God. Dallen joins me on The Wow Factor podcast to share his thoughts on the importance of hard work, perseverance, and humility...

Porter Garner | President and CEO of The Association of Former Students at Texas A&M University | Value-Driven Leadership

The Wow Factor

Porter graduated from Texas A&M in 1979 with a BBA in marketing. He joined The Association of Former Students as Field Director in 1981. Over the last 23 years as President and CEO, he has inspired innovation and led initiatives to achieve The Association’s vision to become the premier alumni organization. Porter serves on the board of Baylor Scott & White Hospital – College Station Region, and he and his wife, Lisa ’91, are Endowed Century Club donors to The Association of Former Students, Eppright Distinguished Donors, and members of the Texas A&M Legacy Society. ...

Flip Flippen | Chairman and Founder at The Flippen Group | | Give Your Heart Freely

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David Olaricksiri | Founder of Royal Kingdom Industry| How God’s Advice Helped Create Business Success

The Wow Factor

David Olaricksiri founded Royal Kingdom Industry in 1990 with the vision of exporting Thai goods throughout the world. The business supplies and exports high-quality coolers all over the world. David joins me on the show to share the reason behind the name of his company and why he chose it to honor the Kingdom of Heaven. He credits God with leading him to start a business and his continued gratitude for God’s daily guidance and shares his personal experience of facing giants in business with God's grace, and how his faith has sustained and supported him throughout his life....

Adam Christing | Founder and President of Clean Comedians | How Clean Comedy Connects People

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Adam is an accomplished comedian, speaker, and entertainer with a passion for making people laugh and bringing joy to audiences worldwide. With over 30 years of experience, Adam has performed for thousands of corporate clients, including Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, and more. In 2021, he received the “Best of Los Angeles Award” as the #1 Event Master of Ceremonies. He has appeared on over 100 radio and TV shows, including CNN, Fox News, Entertainment Tonight, and NBC Nightly News. Adam has also been featured in national magazines and newspapers, including USA Today, FORTUNE, and The...

More Episodes

Former CEO of Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers and Executive Chairman of Mavis Tire Express Services, Ricky Brooks assumed the National Christian Foundation/Alabama leadership role on January 1, 2022. NCF Alabama is an affiliate office of the National Christian Foundation, the 6th largest foundation in the US, headquartered in Atlanta. Brooks assumed the role from former NCF Alabama President, Tom Bradford, who opened the Alabama affiliate in January 2008 with 12 families with donor-advised funds. NCF Alabama has grown to over 1200 families and is ranked by the Birmingham Business Journal as the largest Charitable Trust in Birmingham. Over the years, these families have granted their favorite charities over $465 million.

Ricky shares his story of success in building a franchise as a young man and the toll it took on his personal life, leading him to sell the businesses and prioritize his faith. He shares the model he followed at Express Oil Change in recognizing and rewarding his employees so they could give great service and why that is a key component of his ‘Win-Win-Win System.’ Ricky also shares more about his role at the National Christian Foundation and why he decided to accept the post of President of the Alabama affliate.

“If the customer has a great experience, and the employee is compensated, recognized, and rewarded for executing well, then ownership has to have a win.” - Ricky Brooks

“I’ve always been an entrepreneur.” - Ricky Brooks

“Our focus was on freeing up assets to give.” - Ricky Brooks

This Week on The Wow Factor:

Ricky’s early experience of leadership as a young man
Why he decided to go to Mississippi State University, and how he got the scholarship that supported him there
The entrepreneurial spirit in Ricky and how it found an outlet when he opened a Sonic Drive-In
The pathway to becoming the youngest franchisee and having the opportunity to open more stores
Why Ricky decided to move on from Sonic and how becoming a Believer impacted that choice
Why having a six-day-only work week helped Ricky recruit and retain better employees in Express Oil Change
Some of the things Ricky did as a leader that helped propel significant business growth
The importance of finding the right work/life balance
Why Ricky was the type of entrepreneur who finds a successful model and executes it with excellence
How Ricky’s ‘Win Win Win System’ works
How being a member of the National Christian Foundation supported Ricky to be a generous giver

Ricky Brooks’s Words of Wisdom:

The great majority of your net worth is tied up in your business, and there are ways to unlock it that will allow you to give generously for Kingdom purposes.

Connect with Ricky Brooks:

NFC Giving - Alabama

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