Clare Sheffield’s Post

Stephanie Stuckey is chair of Stuckey's, a legendary and iconic thread in the fabric of Americana. Founded in Eastman, Georgia in 1937 by WS “Sylvester” Stuckey, Sr., Stuckey’s grew into a roadside empire by the 1970s, with 368 stores in more than 30 states. Part of the charm that made Stuckey’s so iconic were its ubiquitous billboards, more than 4,000 of them, which were dotted along U.S. highways. Stuckey’s was an inextricable part of what became known as “The Great American Road Trip.” Fast forward to 2019, Stuckey’s was on life support. The brand had gone through hard times, and its former stand-alone locations, still identifiable by their teal blue roofs, were now relics of a bygone era. Some were abandoned and boarded-up; others became home to less-than-savory businesses. By this time the brand had changed hands multiple times and become an unprofitable line item on a bigger company’s balance sheet. But Stuckey’s was about to experience a surprising rebirth. In 2019, former Georgia legislator Stephanie Stuckey, a practicing attorney at the time, received a fateful phone call. Stuckey’s, the brand started by her grandfather all those years ago, was up for sale. With no experience in running a business, 53-year-old Stephanie defied the odds (and the advice of virtually everyone she spoke to), cashed in her entire life’s savings, and traded her future to buy back and revive the business bearing her family’s name. Since then, Stephanie has become a legend in the business community. A perfect storm of scrappiness, shrewd business sense and passion, she’s now a bone fide rock star with all the street cred to stage a successful turnaround. And she has the receipts to prove it. Under Stephanie’s leadership, Stuckey’s and its flagship pecan log rolls are back in black. In this episode, Stephanie discusses growing up with an iconic last name, her career as a legislator and attorney, her decision to lay it all on the line to buy back her family’s business, how she’s rebuilt the brand, and what’s next for Stuckey’s. Stephanie chronicles her life on the road at her Instagram account, @stuckeystop. Her new book, “UnStuck: Rebirth of an American Icon,” is available at Amazon or wherever you buy books. We hope you enjoy hearing this interview as much as we enjoyed producing it.

Peter Jones wearing a Glittery Lipstick? No way!!!🙅 (watch below 👇) When I meet other business owners and brands, I am constantly asked 'How did you feel?' "Were they nice to you?" The entire experience was utterly amazing 🤯 both as a personal journey and a brand builder. 💪🌟. We felt the most exposed and defenceless we have ever felt, but it was totally worth it. 👏🎉 One question still bugs me, Should we have booked Peter Jones as the face of the brand? 🤔💭. #dragonsden #bbc #brandbuilding #businessgrowth

In this post, we unravel the personal narrative behind our company name and its significance to us. Carette is more than just a contraction of our names. It represents the values that are most important to us, and we wanted to make sure that it reflects our brand identity. Join the discussion and share the story behind your brand's name in the comments. #BrandIdentity #CompanyNaming #YourBrandStory #LinkedInEngagement #ShareYourJourney #BusinessNarrative #CorporateNaming #BrandPride #LinkedInCommunity #BrandSuccess #NameYourStory #InspireOthers

If you're not constantly thinking of your business as a "they" instead of an "it," you're not thinking of it the way your customers do. Which makes your marketing investments highly suspect. Thanks for posting this, Seth! #marketing #culture #leadership

Less is sometimes more in building a brand name [email protected] #StrategicLeadership, #IndustryLeadership, #BusinessStrategy,

Less is sometimes more in building a brand name [email protected] #StrategicLeadership, #IndustryLeadership, #BusinessStrategy,

Less is sometimes more in building a brand name [email protected] #StrategicLeadership, #IndustryLeadership, #BusinessStrategy,

Less is sometimes more in building a brand name [email protected] #StrategicLeadership, #IndustryLeadership, #BusinessStrategy,

Responsibility, a core element of owning and building your own brand. It's not just about what you carry; it's about what you create and how you propel it forward. Gavin McKew , co-founder of Fredrick St. James, shares his insights on the remarkable journey of brand ownership and the incredible lessons it brings. 🚀🌟 #BrandResponsibility #EntrepreneurialWisdom

Less is sometimes more in building a brand name [email protected] #StrategicLeadership, #IndustryLeadership, #BusinessStrategy,