Lisa Allen, President and CEO of Ziegenfelder Company in Wheeling, W.Va., has made a career of making people smile and helping them find their happy place. Her company manufactures and sells Budget $aver® twin pops and other frozen treats, worldwide. What’s not to like?
Highly motivated — as well as an inspiring leader, Allen is responsible for the strategic leadership and growth of the privately owned company in the highly competitive food industry controlled by global corporate competition.
Allen has led the company to realize a 18-year compounding annualized revenue growth of 12 percent with consistent profitability each year. She also has overseen the acquisition and expansion of multiple projects in three states, over 10 years, totaling more than $20M and employing more than 300 team members.
She encourages her team to embrace their vision, values and culture, consistently challenged by growth, while increasing the company’s top-line, profits and competitive advantages. Allen’s vision of creating smiles and impacting lives is the cornerstone of the company’s culture. Among the company’s competitive advantages is their “Zieggy Economy,” designed so millions of consumers can purchase Budget $aver® products at an affordable price. The other competitive advantage is their focus on becoming “better before bigger,” ensuring the scalability of their valued tribe.
Allen considers her legacy impact to be leadership development, traversing their enterprise.
“Developing leaders at all levels inspires creativity, commitment, and effective problem solving, reinforcing our vision and culture throughout our company.”
SHOW NOTES
- 00:31-1:43: Jim introduces today’s guest, Lisa Allen, and her company Ziegenfelder.
- 1:44-6:50: Allen explains what Ziegenfelders does and what they’re all about.
- 6:51-7:00: What are you most excited about for your company right now?
- 7:01-9:11: Allen talks about how excited she is about the growth of the company and the people that work there.
- 9:12-9:48: Where can you find Ziegenfelder products?
- 9:49-14:10: Allen explains all of the places Ziegenfelders sweet treats can be found.
- 14:11-14:35: Jim wants Allen to talk about the worst moment or moments she’s had as an entrepreneur.
- 14:36-16:08: Allen takes us through those moments of disappointment she’s felt as owner of Ziegenfelders.
- 16:09-16:30: What’s the best thing about doing business in the state of West Virginia?
- 16:31-19:17: Allen talks about her roots in West Virginia and all of the wonderful things about doing business here.
- 19:18-19:45: Jim takes a brief moment to recognize the Positively WV sponsors.
- 19:46-20:02: What do you want people to know about what you do?
- 20:03-21:03: She discusses her vision for the company and that more than anything, she wants to put smiles on people’s faces.
- 21:04-21:41: Jim wants Allen to talk a little bit about the growth of the company and the facilities they have nationwide.
- 21:42-23:53: Allen talks about the additions to the Ziegenfelder company and how they’ve grown.
- 23:54-24:15: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to young entrepreneurs?
- 24:16-25:58: Allen gives great insight about surrounding yourself with the right team.
- 25:59-27:03: What’s one resource you can’t live without in your business?
- 27:04-27:17: Allen jokingly tells us the one thing she think she can’t live without and in reality what she really can’t live without in her business?
- 27:18-27:27: Are there any book recommendations that you could give us?
- 27:28-28:35: Allen shares three books that she loves and recommends.
- 28:36-28:50: If there’s one person in West Virginia that you could meet, who would it be?
- 28:51-29:20: Allen mentions the cool people in this state she’s already had the opportunity of meeting and shares a surprising group of people that she would like to meet.
- 29:21-30:13: Jim thanks Allen for joining him and inquires about where our listeners can contact/find out more about her company.
- 30:14-31:26: Allen mentions their social media presence like their Facebook page, YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and their website.
- 31:27-32:13: Jim closes out the show.