The Power of Relationships in Grocery: Leadership, Sales & the Future with Lori Brown | Grocery Pulse Podcast

"The grocery industry may be driven by logistics and supply chains—but it’s still powered by relationships."

In this episode of Grocery Pulse, George Goodwin speaks with Lori Brown, a 40+ year grocery industry leader and President of The Illuminators. Lori shares insights from her experience across retail, CPG, and supply chain—revealing why communication, presence, and servant leadership are more important than ever.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Lori Brown and Her Journey

02:06:35 Lori's Career Path and Experiences02:10:15 The Importance of Communication in Crisis02:14:32 Building Relationships in the Grocery Industry02:17:24 Lessons from Early Career Experiences02:19:59 Balancing Family, Work, and Community Involvement02:22:41 Understanding Servant Leadership02:27:11 Insights from Industry Leaders02:28:40 The Importance of Personal Connection in Retail02:31:33 Brand Strategies for Modern Retail02:34:46 Finding Your Niche in the Market02:36:35 Building a Supportive Network02:38:32 Effective Time Management in Leadership02:40:48 The Reluctant Leader's Journey02:43:48 Nurturing the Next Generation of Leaders02:45:02 Core Values in Leadership

George and Lori dive deep into:

• Showing up and building real connections
  Why being physically present at events and in stores creates long-term opportunities and trust.

• Communication during uncertainty
  How consistent communication—even with no updates—builds stronger relationships during crises.

• Servant leadership in action
  Leading by serving others, sharing knowledge, and empowering teams at every level.

Connect with Lori Brown:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-brown-ms/
Email: [e-mail]

Connect with George Goodwin:

• Kōbu: ⁠enjoykobu.com⁠

  promo code: podcast10

• LinkedIn: ⁠George Goodwin