Ep.23 - Scaling authentically from one store to the world's best cookie global brand

On this episode of Professional Jealousy, I sit down with Pam Weekes and Connie McDonald, the legendary duo behind Levain Bakery. Over the course of 30 years, they have grown from one tiny shop on New York’s Upper West Side to a globally recognized brand famous for its six-ounce cookies (and coincidentally, my son’s favorite treats).Unlike many modern startups focused on rapid growth, Pam and Connie prioritized a "lifestyle" approach for the first two decades that was all about locale and community. They said that “We grew the business the way that we wanted to live our lives”. This conversation included:- Intentional and steady scaling - it took 20 years to become an "overnight success"!- People-first leadership built with "soul" and human connection rather than spreadsheets.- Levain’s brand has remained remarkably consistent, with a logo and core identity that has barely changed since 1995.- Their neighborhood focus and making instinctual decisions that make sense for the brand and community- Why they decided to take significant investment after 23 years building - Making the decision to step down as co-CEOs and bring in ‘proper’ operators