#2 - Podcast with Edgar Francis

In the late '90s, my career was burgeoning. I had been promoted to a new position, and my company had just won a research project for Best Buy in Washington, DC. What I didn't know at that time, is that this first sojourn for Best Buy would lead to a much larger opportunity. The crux of the project revolved around capturing real-time satisfaction data from shoppers as they exited the store. And if you've never seen such a project in action, it's not easy, and it requires a particular skill set. This project was a first for both my company and me. We were at the helm, in helping Best Buy shape its future.

To help ensure success, I searched high-and-low for the right team to interview shoppers. It took time, but I was in luck. I had some recent success, on a project for Shake Shack, with a small hands-on company from South Carolina called Accel Omega. I brought them in.

I can clearly remember when I arrived in DC and made my way to the hotel in Tysons Corner. I was waiting in the lobby for the team at Accel Omega. When a black GMC Yukon pulled up to the front door, with a young Edgar Francis, the company's President & CEO, at the wheel. We hit it off and have remained friends for the better part of 20 plus years.

Edgar is one of a kind. His travels across the Middle East, Europe, North and South America have given him foresight and extreme EQ. I can always count on Edgar for sage advice and encouragement. In episode #2 of Brash Words, Edgar shares his toughts on being an entrepreneur and persevering through difficult challenges. In this episode, I'm also introducing a new segment called TALES FROM THE ROAD. It's a collection of some of my experiences from working and traveling in many different places—also an excellent opportunity to learn from me.

Edgar, thank you for your support and for being my first guest.

If you have any questions or ideas for an episode, drop me an email by visiting the contact page.

Don't forget to keep an eye out for Episode #3, where I'll be interviewing Mercatus' VP of Human Resources Mary Ann Dunlop.