Ever wonder how someone goes from mopping café floors to leading at the executive level for two powerhouse brands?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Candace Pappas, SVP of Marketing at Blake’s Beverage Company and Blake Farms, for a no-fluff, straight-talking conversation about rising through the ranks, leading in two dynamic industries, and what happens when you stop waiting for permission.

Candace’s story is full of game-changing pivots—from starting as an AGM at Argo Tea to becoming its President & COO, leading the brand’s expansion across the U.S. and internationally. She shares how she navigated her "what’s next?" moment when she stepped away from Argo and landed at Blake’s, and now leads a high-performing marketing team across agritainment, retail, hospitality and CPG.

If you're figuring out your next move or rethinking your leadership style, this episode is packed with takeaways.

What You’ll Learn:

• How “cans in hands” and “liquid to lips” became a brand-driving strategy
• What it really looks like to grow from the ground up inside an organization
• The story behind a cold LinkedIn message that led to a senior executive role
• Key mindset shifts for navigating acquisitions, pivots, and high-growth seasons
• How to lead with authenticity—and why it matters
• The power of curiosity in interviews, leadership, and career transitions

Whether you're leading a brand, building your own career, or just trying to figure out what’s next, Candace’s journey is a blueprint for what’s possible when you stay curious, bold, and honest about your value.

Guest Links:

Connect with Candace Pappas on LinkedIn

Learn more about Blake's Beverage Company

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What does it really take to build a business inside a business?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Julian Semer, Director of In-Store Media at Albertsons, to unpack how a finance background, entrepreneurial drive, and deep curiosity led him to one of the most innovative and fast-evolving areas in retail.

Julian shares how he went from building KPI models in finance to launching an in-store media business within a Fortune 100 company. He offers clear, strategic insights into what it takes to build from the ground up, communicate complexity across stakeholders, and lead with clarity in a high-pressure environment.

What You'll Learn:

• How Julian translated a finance career into a retail media leadership role
• How anyone can design KPIs that connect strategy to execution
• Why understanding your stakeholders' goals is essential to gaining buy-in
• How to stay grounded and lead through rapid growth and change
• Why curiosity and action—not credentials—often open the right doors
• What hiring managers might miss when they rely too heavily on resumes
• How designing for what good looks like has set Julian up to build incredible systems and teams

Whether you’re building a team, launching something new, or navigating a career pivot, this episode offers real-world insight you can use right away.

Guest Links:

Connect with Julian Semer on LinkedIn

Explore Albertsons Companies: albertsonscompanies.com/

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn

What if the career you thought you’d never pursue turned out to be exactly where you were meant to lead?

In this episode of Candid with Candidates, Jenn Hahn sits down with Kendra Shaw, District Director of Operations at Sprouts Farmers Market, to explore the unexpected turns, defining moments, and leadership lessons that shaped her 20+ year career in retail.

Kendra shares her journey from a small town in Indiana to leading over 1,000 employees across a fast-growing region at Sprouts. Along the way, she reflects on nearly two decades with Aldi, hard-earned lessons in corporate versus field leadership, and how she rediscovered her voice by aligning with the right culture.

With clarity and candor, Kendra breaks down what it takes to lead through people, scale a values-driven team, and build a fulfilling career without losing yourself along the way.

What You'll Learn:

• Why being “expendable” is actually a leadership strength
  
  
• The often-overlooked impact of store managers on company performance
  
  
• What it takes to scale from 4 to 52 stores—and keep culture intact
  
  
• How to know when it’s time to move on from a company you love
  
  
• The leadership values that guide hiring and growth at Sprouts
  
  
• Why “doing it for yourself” isn’t selfish—it’s essential
  
  
• Two foundational pieces of advice for anyone advancing their career
  
  
  

This episode offers real-world insight for anyone navigating a career pivot, building a team, or leading through growth in a high-performance environment.

Guest Links:

Connect with Kendra Shaw: kendrashaw@sprouts.com or at linkedin.com/in/kendrashaw/
Explore Sprouts Farmers Market: sprouts.com

Next Steps:
Enjoyed the episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone building their career in retail.

For more behind-the-scenes stories and career advice follow Jenn on LinkedIn