Forged in the Dark: Why Real Leaders Run Toward Problems

Episode notes

About the Guest: John Venhuizen leads Ace Hardware, a company with a proud 101-year history, built on the trust and hard work of thousands of local owners. With over 6,000 stores worldwide - nearly all independently owned - John believes that this combination of local entrepreneurship and global support is the secret sauce that keeps Ace strong and relevant. He’s a leader who values character, humility, and grit - the kind of qualities that get tested daily when you’re trying to solve problems and move a big organization forward. John’s perspective is both inspiring and grounded, reminding us that leadership is about service and connection as much as strategy and results.

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