173. When the Game Shifts...Leading Through Unexpected Change in Your Food Business

Unexpected change is actually expected at some point, right? And with a strong strategy in place, you can lean into your leadership role to stay on course - or get on an even better course if the right opportunity presents itself.

A few real-life examples from the podcast community roundtable:

A cease and desist letter arrives out of the blue.

An approved ingredient is suddenly out of stock.

A building sale ending your lease.

An opportunity that challenges you to think bigger than you planned.

None of these were part of the business owner's original plan. But navigating unexpected changes is part of leading the business.

In this episode, Katie Mleziva (Real Food Brands) and Clint Matthews (Start Right Foods) explore what happens when the game shifts — and how strong leaders can respond.

Borrowing from the idea of offense and defense, they discuss how strategy becomes your guide when circumstances change. Because when you know your vision, values, advantages, and the relationships you've built, you don't have to scramble to find an answer, you move forward step by step.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Real examples of unexpected change in food businesses...both challenges and opportunities
• Clint's "sudden change" football analogy — and what offense vs. defense looks like in business
• The difference between reacting and responding strategically
• Why staying focused on the core of your business helps when things feel unstable
• A practical way to separate what you know from what's uncertain
• How writing out pros/cons can bring clarity in the midst of uncertainty
• The role of trusted advisors and strong relationships when you need an outside perspective
• Why discipline and a clear foundation help you take the next right step

Unexpected change doesn't mean everything is falling apart. Often, most of your foundation is still intact. The key is remembering what you do know to be true — even when there's a lot you don't know.

Whether you're navigating an unexpected change now or want to save this for the future, these related episodes will help you build the leadership skills to navigate change with confidence:

• Ep 148 - Discipline vs Motivation (or both?!)
• Ep 170 - Testing & learning as a growth tool to level up
• Ep 171 - The power of an outside perspective

The phrase "we grow through what we go through" applies to unexpected situations. Strong brands aren't built because everything always goes according to plan. They're built by leaders who know how to stay steady even when the game shifts.

WANT TO GO DEEPER?

Listening is helpful, but building is better!

1) Connect with Katie Mleziva and Clint Matthews on LinkedIn.

2) Join Katie's weekly newsletter HERE to get additional insights, industry resources, and the Weekly Worksheet for this episode, designed to help you build your own bran