Capitalism is often criticized for its short-term mindset. Is it possible for business to still be a force for good?

In this Bliss Business Podcast conversation, we sat down with John Hewitt, CEO of Loyalty Brands and founder of two of the largest tax service companies in the U.S., Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax, to discuss how profit and purpose can not only coexist, but actively reinforce one another. With decades of experience scaling multi-million-dollar enterprises, John brings a candid, mission-rooted perspective on what it means to lead with conscience in a profit-driven world.

What emerged was a blueprint for building businesses that serve people first without sacrificing performance.

Vision Beyond the Bottom Line

For John, conscious capitalism is not theory. It is practice. From the earliest days of building Liberty Tax, his goal was not simply to increase margins but to build a platform where others could rise. Franchisees, customers, team members, and underserved communities were all part of the equation. He shared that true wealth comes from elevating others and measuring success by how many people you’ve helped create their own.

This long-view orientation shifts decision-making. It leads to investment in training over short-term savings, trust-building over rapid expansion, and impact over ego. Business becomes less about transactions and more about transformation.

Investing in People as Your Legacy

John’s model of capitalism isn’t about extracting value but generating it. He emphasizes that employees and franchisees are not tools of growth. They are the growth. His companies focus on identifying passionate leaders and giving them a path to ownership, not just employment. This philosophy has created generational impact for families who once had limited access to entrepreneurship.

During the episode, he reflected on the joy of seeing people who joined his companies as hourly workers become multi-unit franchise owners. That kind of ripple effect is only possible when leadership commits to seeing people not as roles, but as futures.

The Courage to Be Values-Driven in a Profit-First World

One of the more revealing parts of the conversation was John’s candor about how hard it is to lead with values when the business world constantly pushes for speed, scale, and short-term wins. Conscious capitalism demands courage. It requires saying no to fast money when it misaligns with mission, and it demands daily recommitment to integrity over image.

John doesn’t shy away from profit. He embraces it. But he frames profit as the fuel, not the destination. This mindset opens up a different kind of leadership, one that sees brand value as tied to human value and sees growth as most meaningful when it lifts others along the way.

Where We Choose to Invest Tells the Real Story

We often say we value people, but how we build our companies tells the truth. Are we designing systems that allow others to grow, or are we building structures that depend on extraction and burnout? What John reminded us is that conscious capitalism is not about being soft. It is about being clear. Clear about the kind of legacy we want to leave. Clear about how we measure value. And clear about the kind of world we want to shape with the businesses we build.

There is strength in service, and there is strategy in purpose. When we align both, capitalism becomes not just a financial engine but a human one.

Key Takeaways

• Conscious capitalism is built on shared success, not one-sided gain
• Profit is fuel for purpose, not the destination
• People are the most valuable assets, not overhead
• Generational impact begins with everyday investment in others
• Integrity-led leadership requires courage in a shortcut-driven culture

Final Thoughts

John Hewitt proves that capitalism with a conscience is not just possible. It is more sustainable, more fulfilling, and more human. By anchoring strategy in purpose and seeing people as the mission, leaders can unlock a kind of growth that scales far beyond the balance sheet.

Check out our full conversation with John Hewitt on The Bliss Business Podcast.

Originally Featured on The Bliss Business Podcast Blog

Speed, scale, and systems often dominate business conversations, so it’s easy to forget the simple truth that business is about people. But for Sally Facinelli, CEO of Salty Dawg Pet Salon + Bakery and advisor to emerging brands, building a successful organization starts not with metrics, but with mindset.

On The Bliss Business Podcast, Sally shared reflections from her journey as a purpose-driven leader, highlighting how trust, connection, and intentional culture-building shape sustainable success. Her approach serves as a reminder that human-centered partnerships are not a luxury, but a strategic necessity.

What emerged from the conversation was a powerful framework for rethinking how we lead, grow, and show up in our organizations.

Start with Who, Not Just What

One of the foundational insights from the episode was the importance of being clear about who you are serving and partnering with before focusing on what you are building.

Sally emphasized that many founders skip the hard work of aligning their values with their partners. Whether it’s a franchise model or a startup ecosystem, the health of a business often depends on the strength of its relationships.

Partnerships built on surface-level agreements rarely survive long-term pressure. The real work lies in taking the time to understand shared purpose, complementary skill sets, and communication styles. These are the ingredients of resilient collaboration.

Culture Is Not a Buzzword

Sally pointed out that culture is often treated like a bonus or afterthought in many businesses. But in reality, culture is the operating system of a company. It dictates how decisions get made, how people treat one another, and how the organization responds in times of stress.

She encouraged leaders to stop outsourcing culture to HR or motivational posters. Instead, culture should be co-authored by the entire team, and reinforced by leadership modeling the behaviors they want to see.

When you build a culture intentionally and early, it becomes the foundation that supports growth. It also becomes a filter for hiring, partnerships, and customer engagement.

Mutual Success as a Strategy

In discussing her work in franchising and entrepreneurship, Sally underscored the value of win-win thinking. Instead of extracting value from partners, she advocates for creating ecosystems where everyone involved grows together.

This shift requires humility, transparency, and a genuine interest in helping others succeed. It also requires redefining success itself — not just as financial returns, but as long-term impact, alignment, and shared progress.

This perspective is especially important in high-growth environments, where speed can tempt leaders to make short-sighted decisions. For Sally, the question is always, “How do we build something that lasts?” The answer: through relationships, not transactions.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

• Partnership health is a critical predictor of long-term business success
• Culture is a lived experience, not a slogan
• Shared values must be clarified early in any relationship
• Mutually beneficial growth is more sustainable than extraction-based models
• Leadership is a daily choice to act with intention and integrity

Final Thoughts

Sally Facinelli’s leadership philosophy is not about adding empathy as a soft layer over hard business tactics. It’s about making empathy central to how we build, partner, and grow.

The next generation of leaders will not be defined by how well they scale operations, but by how deeply they understand the people they serve and collaborate with.

Whether you’re a founder, franchise leader, or executive, the challenge is clear: create environments where people feel seen, supported, and valued. That is where innovation lives. That is where loyalty takes root.

And in a marketplace crowded with noise, the companies that lead with heart will be the ones who stand out — for all the right reasons.

Check out our full conversation with Sally Facinelli on The Bliss Business Podcast.

Originally Featured on The Bliss Business Podcast Blog

In the age of AI, algorithms, and automation, it’s easy to forget the one thing that has always made brands magnetic, human connection. But for Jennifer Kaplan, founder of Evolve PR and Marketing, connection isn’t just a marketing tactic. It’s the soul of sustainable brand growth.

With over 20 years of experience helping brands from startups to social impact ventures get noticed for the right reasons, Jennifer has learned that community is not something you can hack. It’s something you earn. On The Bliss Business Podcast, she shared why the brands that thrive are the ones who move beyond transactional relationships and build genuine alliances with their audiences.

What emerged from the conversation was not just a marketing playbook, but a philosophy rooted in presence, empathy, and showing up when it matters most.

Visibility is Not the Goal, Trust Is

Too often, companies chase media coverage, influencer shoutouts, or viral attention without asking the deeper question: what are we actually inviting people into?

Jennifer argues that visibility without integrity leads to fleeting engagement. “You can’t pay for authenticity,” she said. “You build it by showing up again and again in meaningful ways.” This mindset has informed how she advises founders and CEOs to think about earned media and community strategy.

Whether she’s working with a wellness startup, a food brand, or a purpose-driven tech company, her focus is always the same, helping them understand not just who they’re talking to, but what kind of relationship they want to build.

Presence Over Performance

One of the most powerful themes from the episode was the idea of presence, the decision to be actively engaged in the lives and needs of your community, not just when you’re launching something.

Jennifer described how true connection comes when companies listen more than they speak, when they show up not only with answers, but with curiosity and care. This kind of presence can’t be scheduled in a content calendar. It has to be baked into the company’s culture.

It’s the founder who shows up to community events with no press. The brand that supports local causes even when there’s no ROI report. It’s slow, and sometimes unglamorous, but it creates loyalty that no algorithm can replicate.

Marketing That Reflects Human Values

In a time when consumers are more skeptical than ever, Jennifer sees the future of marketing as a return to what’s real. It’s about understanding human values, not just personas or demographics, and crafting messages that speak to shared hopes, challenges, and aspirations.

This is especially true in moments of crisis or change. Brands that show up in hard times, who take a stand for something beyond profit, and who remain consistent in their values, earn the right to be heard. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being human.

Jennifer shared several examples of brands that missed the mark by leading with spin rather than sincerity. In contrast, the ones who were honest, even vulnerable, created a depth of relationship that advertising alone could never achieve.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

• Community is not a campaign, it’s an earned relationship.
• Visibility without values leads to forgettable impressions.
• Authentic connection starts with listening, not pitching.
• Presence is the secret ingredient to brand trust.
• Marketing rooted in human values outlasts trends and tactics.
• People don’t want to be sold to, they want to belong.

Final Thoughts

What Jennifer Kaplan makes clear is that connection isn’t a department. It’s a way of operating. For leaders, marketers, and founders alike, the challenge is to stop asking “How do we get more attention?” and start asking “How do we create belonging?”

The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing. It feels like a relationship. And the best relationships are built on trust, presence, and shared purpose.

For those willing to make that shift, the rewards go far beyond brand awareness. They create movements. They inspire loyalty. They build community.

And in a noisy world, that’s the kind of signal that always cuts through.

Check out our full conversation with Jennifer Kaplan on The Bliss Business Podcast.

Originally Featured on The Bliss Business Podcast Blog

What happens when you take a seemingly mundane service and infuse it with dignity, joy, and a mission to serve the planet?

Julie Harrell, President of Cooper Scoopers, is doing just that. Her company may be in the pet waste removal business, but behind the cheeky name and boots-on-the-ground service lies a movement rooted in social good, environmental responsibility, and deep respect for every person — and every pet — they serve.

In a recent episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, Julie shared how a startup with seven locations (and growing fast) is redefining what it means to lead with purpose in the franchise world. And why she believes even the most overlooked jobs can become meaningful careers when built on heart-centered values.

From Poop to Purpose

The origin story of Cooper Scoopers isn’t what you’d expect. It started with a granddaughter watching her aging grandparents struggle to keep a backyard clean and safe for their dog — and their grandchildren. That moment sparked an idea: what if you could offer a service that went beyond convenience, and actually helped people stay connected to what matters most?

Julie stepped into the role of President in December and has since turned the company into a growing franchise built on three core principles: dignity, safety, and opportunity. But Cooper Scoopers isn’t just about waste removal. It’s about creating clean spaces, caring for public health, and making a real difference for families, pets, and the planet.

Leading with Love, Loyalty, and Laughter

While many leaders rely on systems and performance metrics to drive franchise growth, Julie begins with people. “We treat every role as essential,” she says. From technicians to franchise owners, everyone is trained and celebrated for their contributions. New hires aren’t just taught how to scoop. They’re taught how to show up with kindness, attention to detail, and a sense of pride.

Franchisees are supported through a hands-on communication system and a growing internal network that encourages collaboration. “You might be in your own territory,” Julie explains, “but you’re never alone.” That spirit of teamwork is contagious — showing up in how employees serve customers and in how customers begin to see the company as more than just a utility.

Empathy, Operationalized

With over 70% of households in the U.S. owning pets, and over half owning dogs, the demand for pet services is growing. But Cooper Scoopers is differentiating itself by going beyond basic cleanup. Technicians are trained to alert pet owners to potential hazards, like open gates or broken fence posts, and even diet-related health concerns visible through pet waste.

That care extends to community education and engagement too. Whether partnering with the SPCA or educating families on the environmental risks of backyard waste, Julie is clear about one thing: “Growth doesn’t mean letting go of purpose. It means spreading it wider.”

Scaling a Clean Business with a Clean Conscience

Cooper Scoopers is still in the early stages of expansion, but Julie already has her sights set on something big — 3,000 trucks across the nation, each operating with eco-conscious practices and a deep respect for the families they serve.

With waste disposal becoming a growing concern for landfills, Julie is exploring innovative ways to treat pet waste more sustainably. Composting is complex due to protein content, but her team is committed to staying on the cutting edge of environmentally safe disposal methods. In the meantime, biodegradable tools and products are a non-negotiable standard.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

• Why even unglamorous industries can drive real social impact
• How to build loyalty by treating every role as essential
• The power of clear values in attracting franchisees and customers
• How early-stage businesses can protect their culture while scaling
• Why mentorship and team support are essential for sustainable leadership

Julie reminds us that success doesn’t come from glossy pitch decks or over-engineered systems. It comes from doing the small things with intention, care, and love. Even something as simple as locking a gate or giving a treat to a beloved family dog becomes part of a greater purpose — one that is felt in every yard they visit.

At Cooper Scoopers, purpose isn’t a tagline. It’s a tool. A system. A culture. A north star.

And if this kind of heart-centered leadership can blossom in a business that deals with dog poop, imagine what’s possible for the rest of us.

Final Thoughts

Julie Harrell is showing that profit and purpose don’t have to be in conflict. They can be co-pilots. As Cooper Scoopers continues its rapid expansion, it’s doing so with a commitment to environmental responsibility, community connection, and love as a business advantage. Whether you’re managing a franchise or mentoring the next generation of leaders, Julie’s story is a reminder that every business — no matter how humble — can leave the world a little better than it found it.

Check out our full conversation with Julie Harrell on The Bliss Business Podcast.

Originally Featured on The Bliss Business Podcast Blog

When you’re managing a company that has grown from a single vacation rental to a national hospitality brand operating in over 18 markets, most leaders would reach for org charts, operational SOPs, and management consultants. But for Steve Schwab, the answer came in the form of a credo.

Steve Schwab is the Founder of Casago, a purpose-led vacation rental and property management company built on empathy, loyalty, and service. Today, he serves as the CEO of Vacasa, following the recent merger between the two companies. This union marks not just a consolidation of brands, but a bold vision for redefining hospitality through human-centered leadership at scale.

Casago was never just a hospitality company. It became a values-driven movement powered by people who believe in doing right by others, no matter the cost. That ethos now has the opportunity to reach millions more through the Vacasa platform.

In an episode of The Bliss Business Podcast, Steve shares how his time as a U.S. Army Ranger shaped the way he approaches business, and why he believes every company should have its own internal leadership doctrine, not a rulebook, but a lived set of principles.

Steve’s journey into leadership wasn’t traditional. In fact, he questioned whether he was even the right person to lead after a rapid acquisition expanded his company overnight. It was in that moment of doubt that he began to write what would become The Orange Credo, a set of guiding values that have since fueled Casago’s culture and inspired generations of team members.

Whether you’re leading a startup, managing a distributed team, or scaling a company through multiple regions, Steve’s approach to conscious capitalism and decentralized leadership offers powerful lessons. At Casago, love is not just a feel-good concept. It is operationalized through principles that empower employees to act with confidence and compassion, especially when no one is watching.

Empathy as Infrastructure

The Orange Credo includes statements like, “We believe in standing shoulder to shoulder,” and “We leave things better than we found them.” These aren’t just motivational phrases painted on the wall. They guide how employees respond to crises, how they treat guests, and how they support each other in times of personal struggle.

Steve shares the story of an employee who, without being asked, drove through a snowstorm to deliver blankets to a stranded guest. Another story features an operations manager who helped a family involved in a car crash navigate insurance and logistics. These moments aren’t isolated. They are expected. Because everyone at Casago is entrusted to lead with care.

A Playbook Rooted in People

Unlike companies that rely on rigid hierarchy and micromanagement, Casago thrived through distributed trust. New employees were onboarded with a calligraphed Book of Lore that documented stories of heroic service and practical wisdom. This collection of lived experiences became both training and inspiration.

Steve believes that empathy scales when leaders commit to principles instead of prescriptions. The credo creates alignment, allowing people to make values-based decisions even in the absence of a manager or directive. That autonomy is not accidental. It is earned through cultural investment.

The ROI of Love and Loyalty

When asked about what drives retention at Casago, Steve points to love. Employees and franchisees stayed not because they were obligated, but because they felt deeply connected to the mission. Some housekeepers worked with him for over 20 years. Families passed down roles through generations. These are not typical industry stats. They are the result of leading from the heart.

Steve also touches on the economic side of purpose. When a company consistently leads with service, it creates long-term trust. That trust shows up in customer referrals, operational resilience, and team loyalty. It also creates a ripple effect in local communities, as the team goes above and beyond to support not just guests, but neighbors and partners too.

Key Takeaways from the Episode:

• Why every business should create its own leadership credo
• How decentralizing leadership empowers your team to act with integrity
• The role of storytelling in building cultural continuity
• Why love, loyalty, and legacy are competitive advantages in hospitality and beyond
• How to scale a company without losing your soul

Steve’s vision for the future of leadership is grounded in one idea: people before process. The businesses that thrive tomorrow will be the ones who invest in culture, values, and human connection today.

Final Thoughts

Steve Schwab’s story is not about building a company. It’s about building a culture where people matter more than processes, and where principles carry more weight than policies. His journey reminds us that leadership is not a title. It’s a daily decision to serve, empower, and trust others to rise.

At a time when many companies are scrambling to keep up with disruption, Steve chose to double down on values. He proves that conscious capitalism isn’t a trend. It’s a long-term strategy for resilience, growth, and human connection.

From empowering housekeepers to honoring guest experiences, his leadership playbook is one that prioritizes dignity over dashboards and heart over hierarchy.

Whether you’re building a hospitality brand, managing a remote team, or simply searching for a more human way to lead, Steve’s message is clear: culture is not a byproduct of success. It’s the foundation.

And when you lead with love, people don’t just show up. They stay, they care, and they thrive.

Check out our full conversation with Steve Schwab on The Bliss Business Podcast.

Originally Featured on The Bliss Business Podcast Blog