S13E29: How to thrive after 80% business decline, with Matthew Guelke (CEO, The Plant Cafe Organic)

The Impact Multiplier CEO

We're continuing our season on "business as a force for good." In this episode, Richard speaks with Matthew Guelke.
Matthew is a social entrepreneur and the Founder and CEO of THE PLANT café Organic, a San Francisco-based restaurant group dedicated to bringing 100% organic and sustainable food to the public. The Plant became the first ever in the United States to achieve Platinum certification by Eat Real, and it was recognised in 2023 as one of the world's leading 30 sustainable Food & Beverage companies in the Real Leaders Impact Awards.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
Why closing down 80% of his business was a great new start
Why Matthew rejected investor advice about brick-and-mortar stores
The "incubate then scale" model
About solving problems by addressing the convenience factor
What the 90-year-old question is, and how it can help you find your mission
Resources/sources mentioned:
https://theplantcafe.com
The Impact Multiplier CEO Podcast (https://xquadrant.com/podcast/)
Join Rivendell (https://xquadrant.com/rivendell/), our exponential programme for elite CEOs dedicated to transforming themselves, their businesses, and the world.
Ready for a big leap forward in your own leadership? Elevate your leadership forever with the book Making Time for Strategy: How to be less busy and more successful. Buy your book here: https://xquadrant.com/time/
For full show notes, head to https://xquadrant.com/matthew-guelke
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
04:26 Switching to franchising after advice
08:37 Better health for people and the planet
15:38 Pure, quality food with dedicated staff
19:33 Magnetism: Reconnecting, Identity and Legacy in Business.
24:10 Plants everywhere, expanding the franchise to support farms.