For this episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, I talked with my friend Wade Allen, President at Costa Vida!

One of Wade’s favorite quotes (from Abraham Maslow) is that “at any moment, we can step forward into growth or step back into safety.” I think it is perfect! He has repeatedly chosen to lean into new opportunities and his willingness to press beyond fear has kept him on the forefront of innovation and is a recurring theme in his success.

There were so many great moments and takeaways in this conversation:

>>> Wade’s very first job as an “assistant dishwasher” at age 14 taught him how to hustle and the payoff of hard work, speed, and service! His early experiences in the kitchen set the tone for a lifelong belief in going the extra mile to delight both clients and guests!

>>>His career shows how blending analytical insights with a people-first mindset can transform guest experiences and drive brand loyalty. Despite being on the forefront of marketing and data science, he emphasizes the importance of never losing sight of the human at the other end of every data point!

>>>Wade underscores the idea that trust is the bedrock of high-performing teams. Instead of micromanaging, his leadership philosophy is to focus on removing obstacles and empower people do their best work.

>>>Wade’s transition to Costa Vida was equal parts serendipity and conviction. Trusting his gut, and paying attention to those too-good-to-be-true coincidences, reinforced his belief that success often comes from embracing change when the moment feels right.

The key to being a successful entrepreneur? Being “Irrationally Passionate!” – Wow! I can relate!

For this episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, I spoke with Zach Goldstein, CEO and Founder of Thanx. His company is a leading guest engagement platform in the restaurant industry.

Zach shared tons of great lessons and insights. It was hard to pick my favorites, but here goes:

>>>His first job: Tutoring middle school students as a freshman in high school. That taught him how people learn differently, a lesson he applied throughout his business career to better connect with his employees.

>>>It’s not just about capturing data. You need to create a frictionless way that allows you to actually utilize it! Data is only as good as what you do with it!

>>> Zach explains that loyalty is a “business outcome”, not just a “program to drive traffic.” They’re working to overturn that misconception!

>>>It is all about the people! It is critical that early on, you empower your team and surround yourself with people who share your passion!

Passion + Excellence = Success!

In this episode of Bring More Joy to the Table, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with my friend, Dr Shawnda Floyd, Provost and Vice Chancellor of Workforce Education at Dallas College.

Today, Shawnda leads with a servant's heart, guiding over 4,300 faculty and adjunct professors and 127,000+ students toward a big audacious goal of reaching 180,000 students by 2030.

💡 Her remarkable journey:


👉 Shawnda began her career at just 14 years old (yes, 14!) working at Burger King in New Jersey. That’s where she first discovered her appreciation for hard work and her love for connecting with people.


👉 Inspired by her mom, a phenomenal manager while working at Sears, and shaped by her career in litigation, Shawnda’s experiences have given her profound insights into leadership, communication, and life itself.


👉 Now, she’s leading Dallas College to new heights, offering over 360 programs that serve everyone, from first-time college students to professionals expanding their skills.

Shawnda’s passion is to help students succeed and find joy, even through the challenges they face, and her goal to inspire hope in the next generation

Ready to be inspired? Don’t miss this episode—listen now! 🎙️