Contributing to Bob Evans Success
If you have ever eaten at a Bob Evans restaurant, you’ll be familiar with the picture of Bob Evans Farm in southeastern Ohio. It’s on the cover of every menu.
This is a very successful business that started back in the 1940s and today has more than 600 restaurants across America.
Recently, Lori and I had the opportunity to visit the original farm and tour the Evans’ old homestead.
One thing that became clear was how Jewell Evans, Bob’s wife, contributed to the success of the business. Even though she was not part of the day-to-day operation, Jewell embraced the value of contribution.
As a differentiating value, Contribution means something given or offered that adds to a larger whole.
Here are 3 ways Jewell Evans contributed to her husband’s business:
- She was willing to give up her space. Jewell allowed the ad agency to use her kitchen to film TV commercials.
- She was willing to stretch. Jewell also agreed to star in the TV commercials.
- She was willing to share her opinions. Jewell tested recipes and didn’t hesitate to contribute her ideas and opinions.
Due to their investment in TV ads, Bob Evans became a household name. Thanks to the contributions of Jewell Evans, her husband’s business became a big success.
You can read more about how Jewell Evans contributed to her husband’s business at Leadership Couples.
Have you ever visited the Bob Evans Farm? What observations did you make of Bob & Jewell Evans?
Today’s value was selected from the “Appreciation-Kindness” category, based on the e-book Developing Your Differentiating Values.
