For individuals who dwell within the D.C. area, the salad restaurant Sweetgreen and the health middle Solidcore are most definitely acquainted enterprise names. Those two corporations, which started within the area, now attain far past the realm and each have one thing in frequent. They have seen nice success with a Northern Virginia native in a leadership function: Bryan Myers.
This report is a part of WTOP’s protection of Black History Month. Read extra tales on WTOP.com.
For individuals who dwell within the D.C. area, salad restaurant Sweetgreen and health middle Solidcore are most definitely acquainted enterprise names.
Those two corporations, which began within the area, now attain far past it — and each have one thing in frequent: They have seen nice success with a Northern Virginia native in a leadership function, Bryan Myers.
Now president and CEO of Solidcore, Myers has, over the previous 4 years, overseen the enlargement of the boutique health firm from round 25 areas to simply over 80 across the nation.
Growing an organization’s footprint is one thing Myers is aware of how to do. Before Solidcore, he served in leadership roles at Sweetgreen, serving to develop the chain from round 20 to nearly 90 areas.
With his resume, some may say Myers has made it — however the 34-year-old stated he doesn’t imagine there’s a second at which “you arrive” or “you’ve made it.” Instead, he stated there’s all the time one thing to be taught from folks round you.
“That openness and curiosity is what makes the nice leaders, the nice leaders that they’re,” Myers stated.
Bryan Myers heads up Solidcore. (WTOP/Mike Murillo)
Myers, who grew up in Stafford County, Virginia, and graduated from the University of Virginia, stated that as he seems again at his profession, his dad and mom had been a significant supply of inspiration.
“My dad and mom had been each from very poor households, neither one among them faculty educated, however actually pushed me to do every part I may to obtain my wildest goals,” he stated.
But the highway to success wasn’t a simple one. Myers, who’s Black, stated there have been struggles that he has had to face due to the colour of his pores and skin as he has risen by the ranks.
Among these making an attempt moments, he stated, had been being misunderstood and being accused of being an “offended Black man” when he would come into conferences with the identical stage of ardour others would show.
“I feel in these moments, you should use these moments and fall into the despair of them or you should use these moments to say no, that is my rightful seat on the desk and I’ll proceed to categorical myself because the chief that I’m,” Myers stated.
He stated these moments may also be used to educate others about how their biases could be creeping into the way in which they view others.
Myers stated in some ways his identification as a Black man in America has gotten him to the place he’s at the moment. He urges younger individuals who might want to begin or lead a enterprise, particularly those that dwell in underserved communities, to use the “tremendous powers” they’ve gained from what they’ve skilled to propel them.
“I’m a extra empathetic chief, I’m a greater listener, I’m extra linked to my crew, I’m a extra genuine particular person due to the distinctive struggles that I’ve had being a Black man in America,” Myers stated.
Myers additionally believes honesty is the perfect coverage and as a rustic he feels we’re in a time the place there’s extra tolerance for “calling it like it’s.”
“When you discover a type of moments the place there’s a micro aggression, or there’s somebody who’s misinterpreting you, don’t really feel such as you want to hold that to your self, be open about it,” he stated.
Myers stated additionally it is the duty of leaders — particularly these not from underrepresented communities — to be “eyes wide-open” to the expertise that’s in entrance of them.
“And ensuring they’re offering that expertise with the alternatives to turn into the wonderful future leaders that they are often,” he stated.
https://wtop.com/dc/2022/02/first-sweetgreen-now-solidcore-a-northern-virginia-natives-rise-to-leadership/
