Episode 14: Succession No One Plans For: Michele Thornton on Grief, Health, and Taking Over LocalFresh

In this episode of Bright Ideas, Desiree B. Sharpe sits down with Michele Thornton, President of LocalFresh, for a candid look at what it really takes to lead and scale a small business. Their conversation digs into people-first leadership, succession planning, and how founders can build resilient teams that thrive through uncertainty. Michele shares her unexpected journey into entrepreneurship, the lessons she learned stepping into a legacy business, and the mindset shifts that helped her grow the company while protecting its culture. They also explore changing marketing trends, especially in SMB and manufacturing sectors, and how transparency empowers teams to contribute at a higher level. This is an inspiring listen for people leaders, founders, and anyone building a business designed to last.

Connect with Michele:

Website: www.localfresh.com