No matter how you slice it, a company has to change with the times. But for many businesses that have been around for some time, that change can be tough – especially when it’s a family-run brand with a lot of history. 

It’s often difficult to discern what needs to stay and what needs to go, and making incorrect choices about what aspects to ditch can drive loyal customers away. So, what’s a gal to do?

For Christine Specht, CEO of Cousins Subs, the answer is simple: dive in headfirst, get your hands dirty and start at the ground floor. No, this isn’t an episode of Undercover Boss –in fact, Christine’s approach is quite the opposite. 

She’s a leader that truly cares about her company, and her open support and willingness to work hard at the store level is about the furthest thing from undercover one can get. You’ll regularly catch her working the cash register at any number of Cousins stores, both corporate-owned and franchised, because she just wants to help the teams and let them focus on what’s important: making great sandwiches. 

On this episode of The GoGedders Podcast, host Richie Burke chats with Christine Specht about the many motivations that fuel her team-first attitude. They’ll also dive into the history of the Cousins brand and why it’s so important to hang onto old school values, especially when a company is transitioning. You’ll also hear about why Christine thinks Milwaukee (and Wisconsin as a whole) is a great place to do business, her experiences working in a family business, her tips on how to stand out in a competitive market and much, much more.

You can listen to The GoGedders Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever podcasts are found. If you have feedback for the show’s creators or would like to suggest a guest or topic, please leave a review on iTunes or contact Richie Burke directly at richie@ggmm.io.