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Des Hague
CEO, Board Member & Author
In this inspiring interview, Des Hague shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings and overcoming adversity to building successful businesses and advocating for health and leadership.
Naysayers are rocket fuel. Told he'd never rise above low-level management and rejected by an MBA dean, Des demanded an aptitude test, graduated magna cum laude, and went on to lead Safeway perishables, 7-Eleven fresh food, and Centerplate.
Write your headline first. In every venture Des asks what article he wants written about the company in three to five years — 5% growth is a boring way to think; exceptionalism is the target.
Harmony beats work-life balance. Some days demand 20 hours, some two; manage the peaks and troughs like breathing instead of chasing a perfect split.
Fund yourself before you give back. Founders should pay themselves and build a strong foundation first — success begets success, and only then does the license to lift others up follow.
