How does starting on the front lines of a restaurant shape the way you lead at the executive level? On this episode of The Grounded Podcast, host Lauren Mitchell sits down with Cindy Keys, Vice President of Procurement at Snooze A.M. Eatery, to talk about leadership, scaling, and building meaningful supplier partnerships.

From starting as a hostess to now leading procurement for one of the most vibrant breakfast concepts in the country, Cindy’s career story is as inspiring as it is instructive. She shares how sustainability is woven into Snooze’s DNA, how understanding the full supply chain ecosystem drives smarter decisions, and why adapting to industry trends is key to long-term success.

• Community-Centric Growth: Like Cindy, nurturing long-term relationships with both employees and suppliers can foster a supportive network conducive to sustained growth.
• Embrace Sustainability: Incorporate sustainable practices into your business model not only as a responsibility but as a differentiator in the market.
• Leverage Experience: Utilize operational insights to guide strategic decisions, ensuring that theoretical objectives align with practical reality.
• Adapt to Trends: Stay ahead by continuously adapting to industry trends and consumer preferences, ensuring that your offerings remain relevant and appealing.
• Foster a Strong Brand Culture: Create an inviting and vibrant atmosphere that aligns with your core values, keeping both customers and employees engaged.

Quote of the Show:

• “It only takes a moment to make a difference, so how are we impacting our communities? How are we impacting our environment? How are we impacting our snoozers? How are we impacting our guests?” - Cindy Keys

Connect with Cindy:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cindy-keys-75968539/
• Company website: https://www.snoozeeatery.com/

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