MustardHub Voices: From the Frontlines

In Episode 7 of MustardHub Voices: From the Frontlines, Julie sits down with Aka Ali-Kerr, Director of Human Resources at Andaz Miami Beach, part of the Hyatt Hotels portfolio, to explore what people-first leadership truly looks like in hospitality.With more than 25 years in HR and a background in psychology, Aka shares why soft skills are often the biggest differentiator between good leaders and great ones. Drawing from her global career journey from Trinidad and Tobago to the U.S., she explains how culture, trust, and intentional leadership behaviors directly impact engagement, retention, and performance in frontline environments.This conversation dives into leading multi-generational teams, navigating emotional intelligence on the front lines, embracing technology without losing the human touch, and why leaders must help employees understand the “why” behind their work. Aka also introduces her six leadership mandates—care with action, consistency with accountability, and competence with the right attitude—and explains why leadership is a badge of honor, not power.It’s a powerful, thoughtful episode for hospitality leaders and anyone responsible for building cultures where people feel cared for, respected, and motivated to stay.

In Episode 6 of MustardHub Voices: From the Frontlines, Julie sits down with Dave Cuff, Chief of Staff at Loving, a production-based landscaping and sod farming business, to unpack what it really takes to scale frontline organizations without losing clarity, culture, or accountability.Dave shares his unconventional journey from pharmaceuticals to franchising and into operations leadership, offering an honest look at the growing pains that come with rapid growth. He dives into the realities of restructuring leadership teams, applying EOS in practice (not just in theory), and the hard but necessary work of ensuring the right people are in the right seats.This conversation explores breaking down silos, avoiding vanity metrics, documenting processes, and building leadership pathways that frontline and middle managers can actually follow. Dave also reflects on why leaders must resist firefighting, focus on outcomes that truly move the business, and never take their people for granted.It’s a candid, practical episode for operators and leaders navigating growth, complexity, and the human side of scaling.

In Episode 5 of MustardHub Voices: From the Frontlines, Julie sits down with Katin Keirstead, Vice President of Operations at The Junkluggers, to explore what it really takes to lead frontline teams in a mission-driven franchise organization.Katin shares her unconventional path into franchising and how her background in adult education shaped her leadership philosophy. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at running operations in a highly physical, people-centered business where frontline employees must balance efficiency, empathy, and customer trust during emotionally charged life transitions.This conversation dives into aligning leadership teams through EOS, setting clear objectives and accountability, and helping frontline employees understand both the emotional and financial realities of the business. Katin also discusses the importance of professional communication platforms, transparent economics, and treating operations leadership as “connective tissue” that removes obstacles so teams can succeed.It’s an honest, practical discussion for franchise leaders, operators, and anyone responsible for building aligned, high-performing frontline teams.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: From the Frontlines, Julie sits down with Rhiannon Hoeweler, VP of Experience and Impact at MadTree Brewing, to explore what it takes to build a people-first culture while scaling a fast-growing, purpose-driven business.Rhiannon shares her journey from environmental science and the Cincinnati Zoo to leading experience, marketing, HR, and community impact at one of the Midwest’s most recognizable regional breweries. She offers a candid look at the opportunities and tensions that come with rapid growth—from maintaining culture across multiple locations to turning purpose and volunteerism into something employees actively engage with, not just talk about.This conversation dives into employee engagement, mental health, burnout, and the powerful connection between nature, community, and wellbeing. Rhiannon also introduces the concept of self-leadership and explains how small, intentional practices like walking, gratitude, and setting the tone for the day can make leaders more effective and teams more fulfilled. It’s an inspiring, practical discussion for leaders building culture in hospitality and beyond.

In this installment of MustardHub Voices: From the Frontlines, Julie sits down with Leigh Feldman, CEO of Youth Franchise Brands, to explore how people, culture, and soft skills shape success in franchising and youth-focused businesses.Leigh shares his journey from franchisee to platform CEO and offers a candid look at the people challenges he sees across franchise systems—from miscommunication and misalignment to gaps in training and engagement. Drawing on real-world examples from education, hospitality, and franchising, he explains why soft skills, intentional communication, and simple frameworks can prevent many common “people problems” before they escalate.This conversation covers role-playing as a training tool, meeting employees where they are, using technology to support learning, and why incremental improvement often beats sweeping change. Leigh also introduces practical concepts like defining a clear North Star and focusing on what truly matters, not just what’s easiest to measure. It’s a thoughtful, actionable discussion for operators and leaders building teams in people-driven businesses.

In Episode 2 of MustardHub Voices: From the Frontlines, Julie sits down with Jamie Amis, Talent and Engagement Partner at Fetchheimer, one of Cincinnati’s oldest manufacturing companies and a major supplier of uniforms for law enforcement and the U.S. military.Jamie shares a rare, inside look at engagement and retention challenges in modern manufacturing—from the decline of skilled sewing talent to the realities of recruiting in a highly specialized, frontline environment. Drawing on his background in law enforcement, HR, and employee engagement, he explains why culture, recognition, and trust matter just as much on the factory floor as they do in corporate offices.This conversation covers second-chance hiring, generational shifts in expectations, modernizing rewards and recognition programs, and why leaders must balance data with humanity. It’s an honest discussion about what it takes to keep frontline employees engaged, valued, and committed—especially in industries where the work is skilled, repetitive, and essential.

In the very first episode of MustardHub Voices: From the Frontlines, Julie sits down with Ruthann Peace Brown, a longtime Primrose Schools franchise owner, educator, and founder of RPB Consulting.Ruthann shares what it really looks like to lead from inside the business—through COVID, staffing shortages, growth, and personal burnout—while still building a culture where people want to stay. Drawing from her background in teaching and entrepreneurship, she breaks down why retention is often about simple human connection, not expensive perks, and why delegation is one of the hardest (and most necessary) leadership skills to learn.This conversation explores work-life balance in frontline environments, generational shifts in expectations, and the uncomfortable but freeing process of letting go so others can lead. It’s an honest, funny, and deeply practical discussion for owners and operators who want to build sustainable businesses and still have a life outside of work.