Leading Beyond Comfort

When friends and colleagues get together, you’re bound to learn—and laugh.In this episode, host Nancy Ridlen, Principal at W3 Sales, sits down with Shannon Tallon, VP of Merchandising at Edward Don & Company, for a candid conversation about growth, leadership, and facing fear head-on.Shannon pulls back the curtain on the moment her promotion felt both surreal and deeply earned. Together, Nancy and Shannon explore what happens after the big win: navigating new responsibility, choosing courage over comfort, and leading with intention in an industry that often prioritizes speed over connection. From the surprising appeal of janitorial and margin strategy to the power of strong operator–distributor partnerships, this episode blends honest reflection with real-world insight.In true confession style, Shannon also shares what it’s like to be an introvert learning to lead—by stepping directly into the fear that once held her back.In this episode, you’ll hear about:The surreal promotion moment and first reactionsFear, uncertainty, and responsibility after a big winOperators and distributor reps as complementary expertsSpeed expectations vs. the need for real relationshipsAn unexpected love for janitorial—and margin strategyChanges at Edward Don alongside an enduring cultureThe funniest customer product request (and setting boundaries)Balancing assertive and approachable leadershipAn introvert’s confession on moving through fear🎙️ Honest, insightful, and refreshingly human—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.