Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders

In a year of uncertainty, one thing is for sure: no one could accuse 2023 of being boring. On this short holiday episode, Tom Ryan, Founder and CEO of ICR, and host of Welcome to the Arena looks back on the highs and lows of 2023, shares some of his top episodes and favorite guests of the year, and his advice for businesses and strategists for a successful 2024. Happy holidays from everyone at ICR and Welcome to the Arena! Look for new episodes and more incredible guests from our team in the new year!Links:ICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteTom Ryan LinkedInFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

At a time when parents are fighting a losing battle against screen-time for their kids, real world, active and educational experiences are a huge draw. Today's guest is passionate about these kinds of opportunities for kids, and has built an amazing business to fill that need.We're sitting down with Michael Browning, Founder and CEO of Unleashed Brands, a platform company that houses the world's best franchise brands to help kids learn, play, and grow. Michael launched Unleashed Brands in 2011 after noticing a void in the market for parents looking for trusted resources for kids' activities.The company's growing portfolio currently includes Urban Air Adventure Park, Snapology, The Little Gym, Premier Martial Arts, XP League, and Class 101. In 2011, Michael launched Urban Air Adventure Park, the world's preeminent family indoor adventure park, which has since served over 20 million kids annually and generated over half a billion dollars of system-wide revenue.A young entrepreneur, Michael was named a rising star by the Dallas Business Journal in their annual 40 under 40 list in 2021. Having spent years as an entrepreneur, he leads the team with true insight into the challenges that new businesses face as he doggedly pushes the team to look for new ways to overcome obstacles and break down barriers to achieving success.Highlights:Michael on ideation and execution (3:30)What the company does, their current scale and why they’re in their sweet spot (4:05)Some of the brands in the portfolio, and how the business model works (6:13)Why the business model is a competitive advantage, and how it’s been for the franchisees (8:53)Being asset-light (10:30)Their partnership with Seidler Equity Partners (12:05)How they are using data to improve the company (13:54)The decision-making process on what to include in the portfolio (15:50)Who is the customer and why Unleashed Brands are recession-resistant (17:24)What Michael is focused on for 2024 (19:50)Michael discusses the team and his leadership style (21:08)Michael tells us about how the Unleashed Brands Foundation is helping kids, and how his family has gotten involved (23:18)The goals for the foundation in 2024 and later (27:25)Links:ICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteMichael O. Browning Jr. on LinkedInUnleashed Brands on LinkedInUnleashed Brands WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

The sign of a strong apparel brand isn't always about covering every billboard. It's about longevity, steady growth, and speaking the customer's language. And today's two guests certainly know how to do that.On this episode, we're sitting down with Kevin McLaughlin, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of J.McLaughlin, and Mary Ellen Coyne, the company's CEO. Kevin started J.McLaughlin in 1977 with his brother, Jay. They envisioned a timeless lifestyle brand with a legacy of style and a spirit of connection. And they did just that, opening their first shop on 74th Street and Third Avenue in Manhattan. It immediately became the post-brunch destination for the Ivy league, JG Mellon crowd. Kevin's taste and design-sense has guided the J.McLaughlin collection since the first store opened, and he prides himself on creating effortless and enduring styles with a modern twist. Each style is thoughtfully designed with impeccable craftsmanship, original colors and prints and innovative fabrics.  Mary Ellen Coyne is the CEO of J.McLaughlin, and joined the brand in 2016. She oversees all aspects of strategy and operations, including merchandising, product development, marketing, retail expansion, and e-commerce. Under her leadership, the brand has launched new product verticals, including swim and footwear, enjoyed robust retail expansion, and recently launched a brand refresh. Prior to joining the company, Mary Ellen had two decades of leadership experience at Ralph Lauren, where she most recently served as the Chief Merchandising Officer of Polo Women and Children's Division. Her career kicked off in the Macy’s Training Program, and from there, she sharpened her industry expertise with key merchandising roles at Ann Taylor, The Gap, and Victoria’s Secret.J.McLaughlin now has over 170 beautiful stores on the most charming streets in America and true to the McLaughlin brothers' vision, each store is entirely unique.Highlights:Kevin tells how he and his brother Jay started the business in 1977, and who the core customer is (3:48)Mary Ellen talks about why she joined the company (6:31)The store locations, key markets and expansion strategy (8:08)The menswear category as the early foundation of the brand, and how the company approaches their relationship with the customer (10:16)Kevin talks about the role that intuition plays in the company (14:53)J.McLaughlin's philanthropy and their "local and loyal" approach (16:58)Mary Ellen discusses the company's impressive financial performance (17:57)The company's marketing and the role that their catalogue plays in that mix (19:43)New categories and opportunities for 2024 (22:06)Working with Trey Laird to update the company's branding and marketing (25:16)Kevin discusses the expansion and brand awareness he'd like for the company (27:38)Competition, and the profile and shopping habits of J.McLaughlin's customers (29:39)Trends and retail projections for the coming season (30:47)Mary Ellen and Kevin's goals for the next 5 years (32:06)Links:Mary Ellen Coyne on LinkedInJ.McLaughlin on LinkedInJ.McLaughlin WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

On Welcome to the Arena, Tom gets to talk to some  of the most impressive people around, and with today's guest, that couldn't be more true.  An added bonus? Their conversation combines two things Tom is a huge fan of: the NHL and Whisky, so this is an extra special episode.Today we get to hear from Chris Pronger, not just a former professional hockey player, but a Hall of Famer who has been voted one of the NHL's hundred greatest players ever.  For 19 years, Chris was known as one of the fiercest and most dominant defensemen in the history of the league, and was a four-time All Star, a Norris Trophy winner as the league's best defenseman and a Hart Trophy winner, which is the league's most valuable player, and very rare for a defenseman. Chris took three teams to the Stanley Cup Finals as Captain and won it all with the Anaheim Ducks. He was a two-time Olympic gold medal winner for Canada and is one of 30 players in the Triple Gold Club IIHF World Champion, Olympic Gold, and Stanley Cup.Chris is a great family man and a hardworking entrepreneur launching among other businesses, The JRNY, a 100 percent Canadian rye whisky with his brother, Sean. And that's our focus for today's conversation...with a bit of hockey thrown in as well. Highlights:Chris' tells his journey of getting drafted into the NHL (3:14)First impressions of the league and Chris' immersion into his first team (4:44)Chris describes his time on the Anaheim Ducks (6:13)Chris' turn to hold the Stanley Cup (8:24)The most skilled player Chris ever played against (9:07)The greatest player Chris ever played alongside (10:02)Inspiration for founding The JRNY Whisky (11:13)How Chris and his brother landed on the name 'The JRNY' (13:58)How The JRNY is made and what makes it a premium product (15:53)How Chris approached the product's marketing (16:56)Approaching the Whisky and Canadian-Whisky marketplace (18:38)Where to buy the product and business expansion (19:43)Chris' current favorite NHL teams (21:34)Chris' role as a defenseman, and how the position has changed over time (24:00)Links:ICR XICR LinkedInICR WebsiteChris Pronger on LinkedInThe JRNY Whisky on LinkedInThe JRNY Whisky WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

At a time when customization and a personalized experience have become the expectation, the hospitality industry is racing to keep up with that demand. Our guest today understands that deeply, and he’s driving an innovative business model that is way ahead of the curve. We're sitting down with Barry McGowan, the CEO of Fogo de Chão, an international chain of Brazilian Steakhouses. Barry became CEO in 2019, after serving as President from 2013 to 2018. He has over 40 years of experience in the restaurant industry, including more than 10 years with Brinker International, where he served as COO of Macaroni Grill from 2010 to 2013.Barry also served as President and CEO of Waterloo Restaurants from 2002 to 2010. With his prior experience, Barry brings a broad range of strategic leadership and operational knowledge to Fogo. He holds a B.S. in Hotel Restaurant Management from the University of North Texas, and a Graduate Certificate of Finance from SMU.Highlights:Barry's introduction to the hospitality industry (2:51)Barry describes how the Fogo de Chão opportunity was presented to him (4:20)Fogo's unique background, history, and approach to service (6:19)Fogo de Chão's demographics and how their consumer market has changed over time (8:35)Barry describes Fogo's menu and value model (10:56)Fogo's labor model and how it contributes to their service approach (13:16)Barry explains Fogo's pricing philosophy (16:02)Fogo's outlook and goals for the next ten years (18:52)The investment partnership between Fogo de Chão and Bain Capital (21:58)Fogo's international expansion and growth projection (23:38)Barry discusses Fogo's leadership team (25:11)How Fogo continues to innovate while staying true to their roots (27:07)Barry's favorite items at Fogo de Chão (28:55)Links:Barry McGowan on LinkedInFogo de Chão on LinkedInFogo de Chão WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

It's a huge treat to get the behind-the-scenes stories of the crucial transitions and incredible growth of some of the most iconic companies in the world. And that's why our guest today needed a two-part episode.Last week we shared the first half of my conversation with Ed Garden, Founder of Trian Fund Management and most recently, Garden Investments. Ed was Chief Investment Officer at Trian until May of 2023, and oversaw the company's portfolio management, idea generation, and due diligence activities. He presently serves as a senior advisor.Ed has extensive experience engaging with public company management teams and boards and currently serves on the board of General Electric. He previously served on the boards of Bank of New York Mellon, Family Dollar Stores, Invesco Janice Henderson Group, Pentair, The Wendy's Company and Triarc Companies earlier in his career. Ed worked at Credit Suisse First Boston as an investment banker and BT Alex Brown, where he was co-head of Equity Capital Markets. Ed has a BA in Economics from Harvard. In Part One of our interview, Ed told us how he broke into the investment world, and also shared Trian's origin story. In Part Two, we dive into Garden Investments, as well as Ed's work on various boards, including how he overcame some major challenges at General Electric. Highlights:Ed's approach to first investments (2:25)Reinventing businesses, and Ed's experience on boards, specifically General Electric (5:18)Lessons Ed learned from fellow board members (10:15)How Ed approaches executive compensation as a board member (14:12)Ed's input on the current market and macro environment (16:29)Garden Investments' outlook and mission (18:46)Investors that inspired and mentored Ed (21:30)Garden Investments' values (22:46)Links:Trian Fund Management on LinkedInTrian Fund Management WebsiteTSG on LinkedInTSG WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Today we're celebrating a big milestone for the show: It's our 100th episode of Welcome to the Arena and we're marking that huge achievement with a 2-part interview with an influential player in the investment world. Our guest today has had an incredible career and our conversation was packed with inspiring stories and insightful advice.We're sitting down for part one of our interview with Ed Garden, Founder and CEO of Garden Investments. Prior to starting Garden Investments, Ed founded Trian Fund Management in 2005 with Nelson Peltz and Peter May. He was Chief Investment Officer at Trian until May of 2023, and presently serves as a senior advisor.As Chief Investment Officer, Ed oversaw Trian's portfolio management, idea generation, and due diligence activities. He has extensive experience engaging with public company management teams and boards and currently serves on the board of General Electric. He previously served on the boards of Bank of New York Mellon, Family Dollar Stores, Invesco Janice Henderson Group, Pentair, The Wendy's Company and Triarc Companies earlier in his career. Ed worked at Credit Suisse First Boston as an investment banker and BT Alex Brown, where he was co-head of Equity Capital Markets. Ed has a BA in Economics from Harvard. Highlights:Ed's upbringing and the role of academia and education (3:17)Getting into the job market, and Ed's first position in investment banking (6:18)How Ed's work in banking influenced his path to starting an activist firm (10:20)Early challenges Ed and his team faced when founding Trian (12:30)The investment approach and strategy taken at Trian (16:05)What made Trian's investment approach unique (17:28)The relationship between capital allocation and capital governance in investing (22:36)What CEOs don't understand about their company's value in the stock market (23:53)How Ed "de-conglomerated" some companies (25:24)What makes investment partnerships difficult in activist investing (28:44)Links:Trian Fund Management on LinkedInTrian Fund Management WebsiteTSG on LinkedInTSG WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Every successful family business has a good story behind it, but today's guest has an extraordinary one, that's all about innovation, creativity, and loving what they do.Today we're sitting down with Joe Hand Jr., President of Joe Hand Promotions, the global leader in live sports for bars, restaurants, and cinemas. In his role, Joe focuses on fostering lasting relationships and delivering exceptional experiences for commercial customers, helping them drive revenue for their business.For over 35 years, Joe has guided the business, which is now the largest independent distributor of closed circuit TV and pay-per-view programming in the world. Prior to joining his father in the family business, Joe began his career in professional sports as a 10th round draft pick of the Philadelphia 76ers.In 1980, he joined Joe Hand Promotions as a part time team member before going on to create Cable Sports Network, a company that provided fresh sports programming to growing cable systems. He then assumed the role as President of Joe Hand Product Promotions in 1987. In addition to his role at Joe Hand Promotions, Joe's  distinguished philanthropic work includes opening the Joe Hand Boxing Gym in Philadelphia in 1995. The gym is a nonprofit organization which provides a variety of boxing classes to men and women of all ages and ability levels. They offer programs dedicated to disabled veterans, those diagnosed with Parkinson's disease as well as adults and children with disabilities.Highlights:Joe gives some background on the business, what they do for their clients and how they originally partnered with some of the biggest companies in the business (3:10)How Joe Hand Promotions started with Joe Frazier and boxing over 50 years ago (7:09)How the company approaches innovation and how it has evolved since 1971 (10:05)What Joe Hand Promotions brings to the table for their customers (11:23)Analytics and data that help their clients (13:17)The bread and butter of their business (14:23)Going beyond sports events (15:57)How Joe narrows down the events they want to pursue and what their growth strategy should be (17:26)How they think about M and A (18:43)The other companies they have partnerships with (20:33)How COVID affected the business (21:37)Joe tells the story of being an NBA draft pick (24:20)Joe’s non-profit boxing gym and how and why he started it (26:58)Links:Joe Hand Jr. on LinkedInJoe Hand Promotions on LinkedInJoe Hand Promotions WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

When you're just starting out as a business, getting the right support during those crucial early stages plays a pivotal role in whether a good idea can reach its full potential. Today's guest has been providing that expert guidance for many years.On this episode we're sitting down with Ross Fubini, founder and managing partner of XYZ Ventures. XYZ was founded in 2017, making investments in 105 companies across seed and growth stages, and as an organization, they look to support founders who have uncovered a unique insight and show immense velocity in their execution.XYZ is primarily focused on enterprise, FinTech infrastructure, climate, and the public sector. Ross sits on multiple boards, including Sardine and Legion Technologies, and has made several successful early investments currently valued in the billions, including public sector focused Anduril, security provider Verdaka, InsureTech company, and New Front Insurance. Previous to XYZ, Ross co founded Village Global and was an investor at Canaan and Kapor Capital. He is currently an advisor to executives at Palantir with XYZ backing over 20 Palantir alumni as founders across the public sector enterprise and fintech. Highlights:Ross describes where the name 'XYZ' came from (3:05)Ross explains how he decided to focus primarily on early-stage companies (4:29)Financing and investment sizes behind early-stage startups (8:04)Ross describes how XYZ chooses and values companies they invest in (10:02)How XYZ approaches and works alongside changing economic environments (13:28)The importance of transparency and sharing your story with investors (16:41)Current trends in the early-stage start-up market (19:01)Ross gives advice to founders raising capital for the first time (22:00)Ross describes companies XYZ have invested in whose outcome has surprised him (23:47)Lessons Ross has learned from start-ups that didn't reach their full potential (26:36)Links:Ross Fubini on LinkedInXYZ Ventures on LikedInXYZ Ventures WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.

Embracing a challenge and going after the big prize is something that today's guest knows all about.We're sitting down with Maud Brown, who is a partner at PAI Partners. PAI is a private equity firm that invests in real economy businesses and manages over 25 billion in assets. Maud heads the firm's U. S. team and oversees investment activity in North America. She's involved in fundraising, deal sourcing, and portfolio company management, including the iconic juice company, Tropicana.Maud joined PAI in 2019 after 18 years at Investcorp where she was a managing director and a member of the investment committee. While at Investcorp, she led the acquisitions of Pro Unlimited, Nobel Learning, and The Wrench Group,. Maud started her career in M& A at Salomon Brothers and Merrill Lynch in London. She grew up in France and holds a degree in business administration from ESCP Business School and a Master’s in Corporate Law from the University Paris XI.Highlights:Maud's upbringing and path to corporate work (2:38)Maud describes what drew her to becoming a professional investor (4:20)Her start at Investcorp and experiencing its growth first-hand (5:10)Maud explains what drew her to the opportunity at PAI (6:52)PAI's history and their mission (10:03)Maud discusses the PAI deal with PepsiCo and Tropicana (13:34)Growth strategy and plan for the recent PepsiCo deal (16:03)Maud expands on a new deal in the Pet sector (18:29)Maud's involvement with acquisition pipelines for investments (20:09)Maud describes the differences in her approach to her work at PAI vs. Investcorp (21:29)PAI's approach to ESG (23:04)Maud's outlook on the current exit environment, and the future of the field (24:55)Where PAI will continue to invest, and what sectors they hope to expand to (26:39)Links:Maud Brown on LinkedInPAI Partners on LinkedInPAI Partners WebsiteICR LinkedInICR TwitterICR WebsiteFeedback:If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.