Jay Williams: Building a Brand with Soul: The Freebird Story

#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale. To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner. Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com  Summary In this episode, Adam Posner interviews Jay Williams, founder of Freebird Southern Springwater, who shares his journey from a successful 25-year career in real estate to launching a beverage brand. Jay discusses the importance of authenticity, hard work, and building relationships in business. He reflects on the challenges of starting a new venture, the importance of giving back to the community, and the lessons he has learned from his experiences. The conversation highlights the importance of resilience, the impact of social media, and the value of crafting a brand with a soul that resonates with everyday Americans. Takeaways - Jay Williams transitioned from real estate to beverage with Freebird. - Authenticity and being true to oneself are key to success. - Building relationships is crucial in business. - Hard work can outpace talent in competitive fields. - Starting a business requires action over perfection. - Mistakes are valuable learning opportunities. - Resilience is essential for overcoming challenges. - Giving back to the community is a core value of Freebird. - Creating a brand with a soul resonates with consumers. - Networking and research are vital for new entrepreneurs. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jay Williams and Freebird 02:49 The Power of Authenticity and LinkedIn 05:38 Lessons from Family and the Importance of Hard Work 08:55 The Big Pivot: From Real Estate to Beverage 11:01 The Aha Moment: Starting Freebird 13:01 Finding a Niche in the Beverage Industry 15:05 Navigating the Beverage Landscape 19:24 Building a Team and Seeking Expertise 20:01 Understanding Your Strengths and Weaknesses 21:10 Finding the Right Partners 22:36 The Unique Selling Proposition of Freebird 24:02 Navigating Early Challenges 25:41 Commitment to Community and Philanthropy 27:15 Brand Growth and Market Positioning 28:34 Building a Brand with Soul 29:59 Future Aspirations for Freebird 32:20 Advice for Mid-Career Reinvention 33:53 Learning from Mistakes and Building Resilience 36:16 Authenticity in Leadership