I recently went one-on-one with Eden Bridgeman Sklenar, CEO of EBONY and JET. Eden is also the CMO of Manna, Inc., which consists of 500+ restaurant franchises including Wendy’s, Fazoli’s, and Golden Corral.
Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?
Eden: My journey has been fundamentally shaped by our family’s core belief that working together and working hard are inseparable values. Growing up as the youngest of three and the only daughter in a business-oriented family, I learned early on about responsibility, perseverance, and the importance of stewardship. From my earliest experiences working at our family’s Wendy’s franchise – from manning the drive-through to doing janitorial work and clerical tasks – I gained a ground-level understanding of business operations and the value of hard work.
The most transformative moment in my career came in 2021 when I saw the opportunity to acquire EBONY during its bankruptcy. This aligned perfectly with my desire to create lasting positive impact for communities. Leading EBONY has allowed me to combine my business acumen with a profound mission to amplify Black voices in the multimedia landscape. Every setback has taught me resilience, and every challenge has reinforced the importance of staying true to your values while remaining adaptable to change.
Perhaps most instrumental to my growth has been my understanding of generational wealth and business sustainability in the African American community. While wealth can be passed down, sustaining a family business across generations is less common in our community. This awareness has shaped my approach to leadership and fueled my commitment to serving as an example for others.
Adam: What are the best lessons you learned from your dad, Junior Bridgeman?
Eden: The most profound lesson from my father centered on our family motto of being “people first.” He taught us that when you prioritize people – whether in business or family – everything else naturally falls into place. In business, this means treating employees and customers in a way that makes them want to return. In family, it means being of service to one another, which strengthens our bonds and unity. His example showed us that true leadership isn’t about personal achievement or selfishness, but about creating opportunities for others to see themselves represented in spaces where they previously weren’t, opening doors for others, and ensuring our work benefits future generations.
Adam: What are your best tips on the topics of sales, marketing, and branding?
Eden: As a steward of legacy brands, my best advice centers on authenticity and careful relationship management. We evaluate everyone we attach our brands to because we have to steward these relationships in ways that our passionate customers and community would stand by. Success comes from carefully evaluating partnerships and nurturing relationships that honor both brand history and modern relevance. Build trust by understanding your core values and consistently delivering on them across all platforms. When rebuilding historic brands, it’s critical to maintain authenticity while evolving – your passionate customers and community must be able to stand by every decision.
The journey requires patience and strategic thinking, as each choice impacts your brand’s legacy. You have to strike a careful balance between preserving heritage and embracing progress; it’s what distinguishes truly successful legacy brands in today’s dynamic marketplace.
Adam: What is your best advice on building, leading, and managing teams?
Eden: Coming from a family business background, I learned early on that the key is creating an environment where everyone feels valued and has a clear understanding of their role in our larger mission. Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; my goal is to foster collaboration and empower team members to contribute their unique perspectives, just as my father taught me about being “people first.” I don’t just hire yes-people. Instead, I build teams with diverse backgrounds and experiences, because that diversity of thought is what leads to better decision-making and, ultimately, more innovative solutions.
Most importantly, I strive to create a culture of open communication and mutual respect, which is essential when stewarding a legacy brand like EBONY. This means being transparent about our goals and challenges while fostering an environment where team members feel safe sharing their ideas and concerns, knowing they’re contributing to something bigger than themselves.
Adam: What do you believe are the defining qualities of an effective leader?
Eden: Humility, empathy, and accountability are crucial. A leader must be willing to listen, learn, and adapt while staying true to their core values. It’s about being authentically yourself while bringing out the best in others. Effective leaders understand that their role is to serve their team and organization, not the other way around. They also have the courage to make difficult decisions while maintaining transparency and integrity throughout the process.
Adam: How can leaders and aspiring leaders take their leadership skills to the next level?
Eden: Learning is essential – as I always say, every day is a school day. While my undergraduate years built a foundation and my MBA refined crucial skills, the key is continuous growth. You must constantly seek out diverse perspectives and embrace challenges as opportunities to learn. Remember that leadership, like education, is a journey without end. The world is constantly changing, and if you’re not learning and adapting alongside it, you risk becoming obsolete. Develop a strong network of mentors and peers who challenge your thinking and provide honest feedback. Most importantly, regularly assess how your actions align with your values and goals through consistent self-reflection and personal development.
Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to entrepreneurs, executives, and civic leaders?
Eden:
- Stay true to your values while remaining adaptable to change – your principles should guide every decision
- Build meaningful relationships based on trust and mutual respect – success is always collaborative
- Remember that your actions impact not just today, but future generations – think long-term in everything you do
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Eden: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” This simple yet powerful advice has shaped my approach to leadership and innovation, reminding me that we must be proactive in creating possibilities not just for ourselves, but for others as well.
