Ron Ladner's Inspiring Story Behind Shaggy’s Waterfront Restaurants

Get ready for a story of grit, giving back, and embracing opportunity, all served up with a side of cheeseburgers and community spirit. On this episode of Empowering Entrepreneurs, we sit down with Ron Ladner, co-founder of Shaggy’s restaurants and a true embodiment of passion meeting purpose. Raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Ron Ladner shares his journey from humble beginnings, growing up in a small, crowded home, to building a thriving restaurant group known for its uplifting culture and commitment to putting both employees and guests first. Throughout the conversation, Ron Ladner opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped his entrepreneurial path—including his realization that adversity, from economic downturns to hurricanes, can actually fuel opportunity and innovation. From lessons learned in the construction yard and on the sports field, to pioneering successful sales strategies and ultimately returning home to help rebuild his community after Hurricane Katrina, Ron Ladner offers listeners invaluable insights on resilience, leadership, and the importance of creating lasting impact. Plus, you'll hear how his love for fishing became part of his business, the unique culture he’s built at Shaggy’s, and what truly drives him beyond profits. Moments 00:00 "Ron: Business Meets Passion" 05:36 "Curiosity Drives Passion for Growth" 07:16 "Working Through School & Summer" 10:45 Switching Majors: Tech to Marketing 15:30 Informative Networking Secrets 20:16 "Life's Unexpected Journeys" 23:32 "Committed to People and Purpose" 25:10 Transforming Restaurant Employee Culture 30:27 Opportunity in Setbacks 34:54 From Cleanup to Business Partnership 37:47 Fishing Boat Intern to Captain 40:53 Holistic Employee Support Solutions 45:20 "Shaggy's Cheeseburger Story" 46:34 "Book Success and Audiobook Deal" This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started. Here are our top three takeaways from the episode:People-First Culture Fuels Growth: Ron’s ethos of surrendering 100% to both his team and his guests has revolutionized what it means to be in the restaurant business. His team’s average tenure is four years, compared to an industry average of just 75 days. That is the true power of valuing your people.Turning Catastrophe into Opportunity: Ron’s journey is a masterclass in resilience. After Hurricane Katrina devastated his community, he prioritized rebuilding not just his business, but the heart of his town. Out of challenges, opportunity—and Shaggy’s—was born.Legacy Beyond Profit: True entrepreneurial success isn’t just about the bottom line; it’s about lifting others up. Ron’s dedication to mentoring his employees, helping them grow professionally and personally, shows that impact outlasts income. Running a business doesn’t have to run your life. Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business. Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for success Our...