Carrying the Name Forward with Mitzi Perdue

About this episode

Mitzi Perdue discusses the importance of stewarding a family legacy and the strategies for sustaining a brand after a founder's departure.

In this episode of Building Unbreakable Brands , Meghan Lynch speaks with Mitzi Perdue—speaker, writer, businesswoman, the widow of Frank Perdue, and the daughter of Ernest Henderson, founder of the Sheraton Hotel chain—about what it truly means to steward a family legacy. From navigating succession after a larger-than-life founder to intentionally embedding values in the next generation, Mitzi shares practical and personal insights on how culture, storytelling, and structure sustain a brand long after its original leader is gone. This conversation offers thoughtful perspective for any family business leader thinking about longevity, leadership transition, and the responsibility of carrying a name forward. Key Topics Discussed Examine how different leadership personalities serve different stages of a company’s growth. Explore how family newsletters and shared rituals reinforce values across generations. Understand how storytelling preserves culture after the loss of a charismatic founder. Discuss the emotional weight of carrying a well-known family name. Consider how intentional succession planning strengthens long-term brand stability. Learn practical ways to embed family values…

People in this episode

Host: Meghan Lynch

Guest: Mitzi Perdue

Topics covered

• family legacy
• leadership transition
• brand sustainability
• storytelling
• succession planning
• values embedding

Keywords

• family business
• leadership
• brand culture
• succession
• values
• storytelling
• legacy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Sheraton Hotel

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