What Paul Brown Taught Me About Brand, Leadership & Purpose

As a marketing executive who’s led purpose-driven brand transformations at companies like Arby’s, Honey Baked Ham, and Interface, I’ve come to believe that the best leaders don’t just build businesses—they build belief. And Paul Brown is one of those leaders.

This story isn’t just about Paul—it’s a story about the lasting leadership lessons I’ve taken from Paul Brown and how being a direct report of his have shaped my own approach to building brands, mentoring teams, and leading with purpose.

Our time working together at Arby’s came at a pivotal moment for the brand. Paul had just stepped into the CEO role, and I was leading brand strategy and communications.

From day one, I could tell he approached leadership differently. He brought the discipline of data, the empathy of a brand builder, and the mindset of a founder. It wasn’t just about turning around a restaurant chain—it was about transforming it with purpose and vision.

That transformation would eventually become something much bigger: Inspire Brands. As co-founder and CEO, Paul brought together a portfolio of powerful restaurant names--when Arby’s acquired Buffalo Wild Wings in 2018, Paul co-founded Inspire Brands, bringing together a portfolio of iconic names, including Baskin-Robbins, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC.

It was bold. It was strategic. And it was deeply aligned with the leadership principles I’ve always valued: clarity, culture, and consistency.

In reflecting on Paul’s journey—and our work together—I’ve drawn three key leadership lessons that have shaped how I approach brand building, team development, and long-term strategy.

1. Lead Where Your Passion Lives

One of the clearest leadership lessons I’ve put into practice is aligning energy with impact. Paul modeled this by building, innovating, and pushing industries forward—and I’ve followed a similar path by ensuring my passion fuels measurable progress.

Like Paul, my career began at McDonald’s, where I first saw how operational discipline and brand storytelling could coexist. Later, at Arby’s, I didn’t just witness Paul’s purpose-driven approach—I applied it. We didn’t chase trends; we reconnected the brand to its roots and redefined what it could stand for. That work reshaped how I lead today.

I’ve carried that mindset into every role since—whether revitalizing iconic brands or leading teams through transformation. I start by identifying what matters most, then rally people around a shared vision. When passion meets purpose, culture shifts. People align. Performance accelerates. That’s not just theory—it’s how I lead every day.

2. Trust the Journey—and the Process

In a world that glorifies speed, I’ve learned the real power lies in strategic patience. Paul modeled that—building depth across industries rather than chasing titles. Watching him thoughtfully connect expertise from consulting, hospitality, and retail taught me that real leadership compounds over time.

At Arby’s, I saw how he balanced urgency with long-term vision. He knew when to move fast—but he also knew when to pause, evaluate, and invest in the future. That clarity and discipline shaped how I approach leadership today.

In my own career, I’ve made intentional choices not to jump at every opportunity. I’ve stayed in roles long enough to learn, lead, and leave a legacy—because sometimes, staying put is the boldest move. Strategic patience has allowed me to build high-performing teams, navigate transformation, and make impact that lasts. Growth isn’t a sprint—it’s a series of wise, well-timed steps.

3. Build on What You Know—and Carry It Forward

One of the qualities I most admire in Paul is his ability to carry insights forward. He didn’t just switch industries—he connected them. Lessons from aviation shaped his thinking in travel. Insights from travel influenced how he led in restaurants. And at Inspire, you can see the thread: strategic, scaled, and grounded in everything he learned along the way.

That approach resonates deeply with how I lead. At Interface, I brought storytelling and brand revitalization lessons from Arby’s to elevate our sustainability message. At Georgia State University, I didn’t start from scratch—I drew on decades of experience in purpose-driven marketing, brand alignment, and stakeholder engagement to help shape a mission-focused strategy.

Leadership, to me, is about intentional continuity. It’s knowing how to repurpose past learnings to solve future challenges—and making each chapter stronger than the last.

A Soundtrack to Lead By

When I asked Paul what his walk-up song would be, he picked “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds. It made perfect sense. That song is about stepping into something bold with optimism and momentum. It’s also how Paul leads—with vision, belief, and the sense that anything is possible when purpose drives the moment.

Working alongside Paul was more than a learning experience—it was a leadership inflection point. It reinforced that the best brands aren’t just marketed well; they’re led with meaning. They don’t just react to change—they shape it.

I’ve taken that mindset into every chapter since. Whether revitalizing legacy brands, advancing sustainability at Interface, or helping shape the future of higher education at Georgia State, I lead with intention and invest in what matters, connect purpose to performance, and build teams that believe in the mission. Because leadership isn’t about the spotlight—it’s about the signal you send when you lead with clarity, conviction, and heart

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