{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Ralph C. Stayer | Founder of Johnsonville | Building Business With a People First Attitude","description":"Ralph Stayer, is the founder of Johnsonville Sausage, one of America's most beloved family-owned food companies. From humble beginnings in a small Wisconsin town of just 65 people, Ralph helped grow Johnsonville from an 8-person operation into a global brand by radically rethinking leadership, purpose, Capitalism, and what it means to build a business with heart. In this episode, Brad sits down with Ralph in sunny Naples, Florida, for a deep conversation about faith, capitalism, giving, and legacy. Ralph shares how his own leadership transformation began in frustration and burnout, eventually leading him to create a company culture grounded in empowerment, service, and stewardship. From mentoring his team to consulting for hospitals and leading charitable initiatives that raise tens of millions for children, Ralph\u2019s life is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership. \u201cYou\u2019re not building sausage. You\u2019re building people who make sausage.\u201d - Ralph Stayer \u201cCapitalism isn\u2019t a tool of the rich\u2014it\u2019s God\u2019s gift to the poor.\u201d - Ralph Stayer \u201cThere\u2019s only one real measure of success: hearing, \u2018Well done, my good and faithful servant.\u2019\u201d - Ralph Stayer This Week on the Wow Factor: Ralph\u2019s early life working summers in the Johnsonville factory and walking the riverbanks with a .22 The pivotal leadership shift that came after a frustrating period of rapid growth and employee disengagement How consultant Lee Thayer helped Ralph see that the real value of a company is its people The transformation from being a boss to building a culture of empowerment and trust Why Ralph believes businesses must talk openly about God and purpose at work The revelation that led Ralph to embrace giving not just money, but time and wisdom Why the phrase \u201cgive back\u201d needs to be rethought\u2014and how capitalism enables human flourishing Ralph\u2019s involvement in raising over $33 million in a single afternoon for children\u2019s charities through the Naples Winter Wine Festival Ralph\u2019s Word of Wisdom: There\u2019s really only one measure of real success\u2014and that\u2019s whether you hear, \u2018Well done, my good and faithful servant.\u2019 That\u2019s what I\u2019m working toward. Not money. Not fame. Not status. Just that. Connect With Johnsonville Sausage: Johnsonville Facebook Johnsonville Pinterest Johnsonville Instagram Johnsonville TikTok Ralph C. Stayers Books Connect with The Wow Factor:   WOW Factor Website   Brad Formsma on LinkedIn    Brad Formsma on Instagram    Brad Formsma on Facebook    X (formerly Twitter)    ","author_name":"The Wow Factor","author_url":"https:\/\/www.thewowfactorpodcast.com","html":"