The question that saved my company from bankruptcy | Sharon Price John

The podcast explores the importance of purpose and emotion in business, using the turnaround of Build-A-Bear as a case study. CEO Sharon Price John emphasizes that understanding a company's "heart" is crucial for success, recounting how she refocused the company on its mission of "adding a little more heart to life." This shift enabled Build-A-Bear to expand beyond malls, embrace digital sales, and target a broader demographic, leading to significant financial recovery. Modupe Akinola connects this to the power of storytelling, referencing a tradition at Columbia Business School where individuals share personal stories to connect with core values, suggesting that businesses can implement similar practices to foster emotional connection.