Elevating humanity through business starts with creating value for employees, customers, communities, and owners rather than treating profit as the only measure of success.
In this episode of The CEO Project Podcast, host Jim Schleckser speaks with Dan Simons, co-owner of Founding Farmers Restaurant Group, about building a profitable, mission-driven business in one of the most demanding industries.
Dan shares how Founding Farmers grew from a partnership with North Dakota family farmers into a group of sustainably operated restaurants, a distillery, and a catering company. He also explains why supporting employees through difficult moments is not separate from business performance but an essential part of achieving it.
You’ll learn how to:
• Build a people-first culture without sacrificing profitability
• Turn employee support into greater loyalty and lower turnover
• Create clear development paths that help employees advance
• Use failure as preparation for future opportunities
• Support family farmers through responsible sourcing
• Adapt training and advancement for a changing workforce
• Balance fair wages with the economic realities of running a business
• Practice conscious capitalism by considering every stakeholder
Dan also shares why elevating humanity is not simply an idealistic mission. When employees feel supported, valued, and equipped to succeed, they create more value for themselves, their customers, and the company.
Listen to discover how thoughtful leadership, employee investment, and conscious capitalism can turn business into a force for elevating humanity while still delivering sustainable growth and strong financial performance.
Building a Business That Focuses on Elevating Humanity
1:18: Jim Schleckser introduces Dan Simons, co-owner of Founding Farmers Restaurant Group, and their shared belief that business can create positive change.
3:42: Dan explains how working in restaurants during college introduced him to the energy, teamwork, and camaraderie of the hospitality industry.
5:56: After spending more than a decade learning from effective and ineffective leaders, Dan decided to become an entrepreneur and build a company around his own values.
8:52: A consulting engagement with the North Dakota Farmers Union evolved into a partnership that combined restaurant expertise with a mission to support American family farmers.
12:14: Founding Farmers prioritizes products from American family farms, using its purchasing power to support independent producers and strengthen domestic agriculture.
Putting People at the Center of Performance
15:48: Dan explains why people perform at their best when they feel supported and valued, making employee care an essential part of elevating humanity through business.
18:22: Founding Farmers provides meaningful support during difficult circumstances, including extended bereavement leave and paid time for employees entering rehabilitation.
20:06: A people-first culture has helped the company maintain employee turnover at roughly half the restaurant industry average, demonstrating the business value of elevating humanity.
22:18: The company’s documented career path and horizontal growth model allow employees to build skills, increase their impact, and advance without waiting for a position to become vacant.
28:36: Dan discusses conscious capitalism and why elevating humanity requires leaders to consider employees, customers, suppliers, communities, and the environment alongside profitability.
About Dan Simons
Dan Simons is regarded as a leading voice in mission-driven business practices, known for championing people-centric culture and responsible industry standards while developing systems that deliver profitability. He and his partner, Michael Vucurevich, are Co-Owners of Founding Farmers Restaurant Group in partnership with the North Dakota Farmers Union. Their goal is to generate profits for American family farmers, secure a larger share of the food dollar for farmers, and influence sourcing decisions by suppliers and others in the hospitality industry. They operate eight sustainably run restaurants, one DC-based distillery, and a full-service catering and event design company. He teaches courses at The George Washington University, hosts a podcast (Founding DC), and sits on the advisory boards of the DC chapter of Conscious Capitalism, OpenTable, and the Health Action Alliance Women’s Health at Work Program. He blogs at www.DanSimonsSays.com and can be found across most social channels @DanSimonsSays.
Dan Simons is Co-Owner of Founding Farmers Restaurant Group, which operates eight sustainably run restaurants, one DC-based distillery, and a full-service catering and event design company. A leading advocate for mission-driven business, he champions people-first culture and responsible industry standards while driving profitability.