What McDonald's and a Hair Salon Have in Common

What do McDonald’s and a hair salon have in common? According to Leila Velez—more than you might think. In this episode, Leila shares how her teenage job at McDonald's laid the foundation for building one of Brazil’s most successful beauty brands. From perfecting the product and process before expansion to creating a culture so strong that customers became employees, Leila’s journey is one of grit, growth, and global vision. We dive into: How fast food taught her business fundamentals The power of patience before scaling Building a customer-first culture Overcoming her biggest obstacle: Access to capital The “customer caravan” that followed her brand across borders Her latest venture: Tech-enabled, personalized hair care Why every entrepreneur should get comfortable with trial and error Whether you're growing a service business or dreaming of international expansion, Leila’s story will inspire you to lead with clarity, culture, and courage. At 19, Leila opened her first business: Beleza Natural (natural beauty). The company grew to become the largest beauty institute chain specialized in curly hair treatments in Brazil. Leila is a guest speaker about entrepreneurship, innovation, and management. Tune in and discover the surprising link between golden arches and great hair. #IntentionalLeadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #CustomerExperience Show Notes: Cerius for Clients: https://ceriusexecutives.com/ Cerius for Executives: https://ceriusexecutives.com/executives LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cerius-interim-executive-solutions/ Kristen's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenmcalister/ Leila's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leilavelez/