Bloomberg Businessweek Former Jamba Juice CEO on Building a Culture for Success
Dec 9, 2025
In this insightful discussion, James D. White, former CEO of Jamba Juice and co-author of "Culture Design," shares his transformative journey at the company. He emphasizes the importance of starting with people by asking key stakeholders four pivotal questions. James links organizational culture directly to financial performance, underscoring how prioritizing human capital can drive success. He advocates for empathy in leadership and stresses the need for inclusive, values-driven environments while offering invaluable advice for current and future leaders.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Origins At Juice Club In San Luis Obispo
- Carol recalls Juice Club, the original Jamba Juice, in her hometown.
- James confirms he visited the original Foothill location and worked with founder Kirk Perrin.
Turnaround And 500% Market Cap Growth
- James led Jamba through a turnaround from 2008 to 2016 and grew market cap by 500%.
- He repositioned Jamba from a smoothie chain into a healthy lifestyle brand.
Start With Four Simple Questions
- Ask four questions to learn what to start, stop, and continue doing.
- Use stakeholder answers to build a practical turnaround plan from day one.
