Tag: Family Business
Leading Wawa’s Legacy of Growth with Chris Gheysens (Ep. 13)

Leading Wawa’s Legacy of Growth with Chris Gheysens (Ep. 13)

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What does it take to build a brand that inspires lasting loyalty while navigating decades of growth and rapid change? In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy sit down with Chris Gheysens, CEO and Chairman of Wawa Inc., to explore the leadership mindset, ownership structure, and long‑term strategy behind one of the nation’s most recognizable retail brands.

Chris shares how servant leadership, employee ownership through Wawa’s ESOP, and a disciplined focus on customer experience fuel the company’s performance. He also discusses Wawa’s pragmatic approach to technology and AI, the realities of national expansion, and why protecting human connection remains central to the brand’s competitive edge.

Chris discusses:

  • His 33‑year Wawa journey—from Deloitte accountant to longtime CEO and Chairman
  • How Wawa’s ESOP makes over half of its 51,000 associates true employee‑owners
  • The impact of servant leadership and a people‑first culture on loyalty and retention
  • Wawa’s pragmatic approach to AI and its national expansion toward 1,700 stores

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About our Guest: 
Chris Gheysens is the CEO and Chairman of Wawa, one of the country’s most recognized and beloved convenience retail brands. With over 33 years at the company, Chris began his career at Deloitte, where Wawa became one of his clients, before joining the organization in 1997. He has held roles across accounting, operations, IT, and human resources, and served as CFO before stepping into the CEO role 14 years ago. Under his leadership, Wawa has grown to more than 1,200 stores and 51,000 associates across 14 states, with plans to reach nearly 1,700 locations by the end of the decade. Chris is a strong advocate for servant leadership and employee ownership, overseeing one of the largest Employee Stock Ownership Plans in the country, where associates share the same stock rights as the founding family. A Villanova University graduate, Chris is deeply committed to building a culture that is both highly caring and results-driven, and believes that putting people first, both employees and customers, is the foundation of long-term business strength.

**note: This guest is a non‑paid member of the WSFS Financial Corporation Board of Directors**

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The Business Owner’s Guide to a Successful Exit (Ep. 11)

The Business Owner’s Guide to a Successful Exit (Ep. 11)

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What does life look like after selling the business you’ve poured decades into building? How do you prepare for one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make?

In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy are joined by Mark Bradford, Director of Wealth Planning at Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors, to explore the critical process of exit planning for business owners. They discuss why understanding enterprise value matters more than cash flow, the importance of assembling the right advisory team, and the stark differences between internal and external transitions. The conversation also covers common pitfalls, emotional challenges of letting go, and what happens when business wealth suddenly converts to liquid assets.

Key takeaways:

  • Why 70-80% of small businesses put up for sale fail to sell, and how proper planning changes outcomes
  • The difference between building a job versus building transferable enterprise value in your business
  • How internal family transitions require different strategies than selling to private equity or third parties
  • Why the personal side of exit planning often creates more challenges than the financial aspects
  • What to do before the sale to maximize value and avoid costly mistakes during due diligence

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About our Guest: 

Mark Bradford is the Director of Wealth Planning, where he leads the wealth planning team. He collaborates closely with advisors to develop and implement the company’s long-term vision for wealth planning, which focuses on enhancing client relationships by providing an exceptional client experience through comprehensive and personalized planning.

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Shark Tank, Sustainability, and Scaling Up: The Frozen Farmer Story with Katey Evans (Ep. 9)

Shark Tank, Sustainability, and Scaling Up: The Frozen Farmer Story with Katey Evans (Ep. 9)

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Periods of rapid growth can be both exhilarating and overwhelming—especially when new opportunities arrive faster than the plans to support them. So how do family‑run businesses scale without losing their values, identity, or sanity?

In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy talk with Katey Evans, Founder of The Frozen Farmer, about how she transformed upcycled fruit into a beloved national brand. Katey shares how intentional planning, family collaboration, and building the right advisory team helped her navigate retail expansion, direct‑to‑consumer pivots, and a high‑visibility moment on Shark Tank.

Key points:

  • How fast growth revealed the need for strong financial, legal, and strategic advisors
  • Turning food waste into a scalable business model
  • Lessons learned from launching and adapting during the pandemic
  • The impact of Shark Tank on brand visibility and long‑term planning
  • Why confidence, clarity, and family alignment guided major leadership decisions

Resources:

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Connect with Katey Evans: 

About Our Guest: 

An entrepreneur, innovator, and Founder of The Frozen Farmer, Katey Evans appeared on the ABC’s critically acclaimed, Emmy-nominated television show “Shark Tank,” landing a $125,000 investment deal from Lori Greiner for her farm creamery business. Katey is passionate about her platform of reducing food waste by sustainably sourcing “upcycled fruit” in The Frozen Farmer’s line of frozen confections. Evans has taken The Frozen Farmer from a small business started at her Sunday supper table to a national brand that is on the shelf in more than 8,000 stores across the U.S. During the pandemic shutdown, Katey launched d2c sales online, shipping into nearly every state in the U.S. in the first week of sales launch. Named Inc. Magazine’s 2023 Most Dynamic Woman in Business, Katey was recently honored on the magazine’s prestigious Female Founders 200 list for starting one of the fastest-growing private companies, as The Frozen Farmer ranked No. 6 on the Inc. 5000 list. Katey is a recipient of the Kroger Innovative Item placement, a Delaware Business Times 40 Under 40 Awards, has earned a $50,000 USDA Value Added Producer Grant for creating a value-added line of sorbet, ice cream and Frobert, and was a panelist for the Global Food Forum with USDA Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue, where she was the only female farmer representing the food production industry. Katey is a member of the Delaware Women’s Workforce Council, aimed to achieve gender equality in the workplace in the First State, and has obtained national certification by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) for The Frozen Farmer. Katey’s most important role of all is being a mom to her four daughters and teaching them that women can do anything.

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The Power of Open Dialogue: Money, Trust, and Legacy Planning with Dr. George James (Ep. 5)

The Power of Open Dialogue: Money, Trust, and Legacy Planning with Dr. George James (Ep. 5)

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Conversations about money, family, and purpose can be the hardest ones to have, yet they’re often the most important.

In this episode of The Planning Perspectives Podcast, hosts Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy sit down with Dr. George James, LMFT, MBA, licensed therapist, executive coach, and CEO of George Talks, to explore how communication, family roles, and personal narratives shape the way we live, lead, and love.

Dr. James opens up about his own experiences, the lessons behind his new book “I Give Myself Permission,” and how embracing open dialogue can transform relationships and redefine what “enough” really means.

Key Takeaways:

  • How early money experiences and family narratives shape financial decision-making
  • Why conversations about money, trust, and values are essential for healthy relationships
  • The importance of understanding family roles in business and legacy planning
  • How scarcity and abundance mindsets influence both finances and fulfillment
  • Why giving yourself permission to rest, take risks, or grow is vital for balance and joy

Resources:

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About our Guest: 

George James, Psy.D., LMFT, MBA, is the CEO of George Talks, where he blends humor, insight, and years of experience to tackle the big issues we all face, whether it’s work-life balance, navigating relationships, or stepping up as a leader. With 20+ years in the field, George is a familiar face on shows like The TODAY Show, CNBC, and CNN, where he breaks down complex topics with clarity and a touch of wit. As the host of the LEAPCAST podcast, George sits down with leaders, athletes, and entertainers to get real about their personal and professional challenges. And as the co-host of Strike Out the Stigma with the Philadelphia Phillies, he’s bringing mental health to the forefront of the sports world.

George works with everyone from professional athletes and entertainers to executives and couples, helping them tackle everything from anxiety and leadership to parenting and communication. His consulting work with companies like Paramount, NBC Universal, and Google focuses on bridging mental health and relationships in the workplace. Known for his approachable style and no-nonsense advice, George helps people and organizations find balance, stay resilient, and thrive in their lives and careers.

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Hospitality, Family, and Vision: Inside BPG with Chris Buccini (Ep. 2)

Hospitality, Family, and Vision: Inside BPG with Chris Buccini (Ep. 2)

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In this episode, Jamie Hopkins and Kate Duffy sit down with Chris Buccini, Co-founder of the Buccini Pollin Group (BPG), to explore how a local dream grew into a $6 billion enterprise. 

Chris shares lessons from three decades in real estate, the power of teamwork, and how hospitality drives business success. His story blends family, community, and bold decisions that have helped shape the city of Wilmington, Delaware and beyond.

Key takeaways:

  • The importance of preparing for downturns and building strong fundamentals in business
  • How hospitality principles influence real estate and client experiences
  • The role of leadership and team culture in scaling BPG to nearly 4,000 employees
  • The challenges and rewards of working with family and building respect in partnerships
  • The origin and impact of BPG Sports and its role in Delaware’s economy
  • And more!

Resources:

Connect with Bryn Mawr Trust: 

Connect with Kate Duffy: 

Connect with Jamie Hopkins: 

Connect with Chris Buccini: 

About Our Guest: 

Chris Buccini is Founder of Buccini Pollin Group, Inc. (“BPG”), a privately-held, real estate investment, development, and management company.  BPG develops and acquires hotel, office, residential, retail, and parking properties, and sports and entertainment venues throughout the United States. Chris leads the firm’s investment management platform, Corten Capital, and its commercial management affiliate, BPG Real Estate Services, LLC, and is a director of PM Hotel Group, Inc., a hotel management company with over 3,500 rooms under management. In addition, Chris is co-founder and co-owner of Major League Soccer’s Philadelphia Union.

Chris is the Chairman of the YPO Intercontinental Chapter, a member of the Board of Trustees of Wilmington Friends School, a member of the University of Delaware President’s Leadership Council, the Delaware Business Roundtable, and Hagley Museum and Library Council of Advisors.

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