Name: The question that saved my company from bankruptcy
Uploaded: 2025-12-11T15:58:52Z
Duration: 11 min 12 s
Description: Everything successful starts with heart — even the most pragmatic business plan, says Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear. She shares how she led a purpose-centered approach to save the beloved teddy bear company from bankruptcy and get it back to global profitability, all by asking one powerful question.

Sharon Price John: The question that saved my company from bankruptcy

The question that saved my company from bankruptcy

Everything successful starts with heart — even the most pragmatic business plan, says Sharon Price John, CEO of Build-A-Bear. She shares how she led a purpose-centered approach to save the beloved teddy bear company from bankruptcy and get it back to global profitability, all by asking one powerful question.

Lasting success is built on heartfelt purpose, not just numbers or strategy. A struggling mall-based company avoided bankruptcy and grew global profits by reconnecting with its deeper mission—a move that sparked a 2,000 percent stock price increase. Rituals like the 'heart ceremony' made the brand a source of comfort and joy for millions. Leading with care inspired employees to embrace change, fueling resilience through a decade of upheaval and even a worldwide pandemic.

Purpose With Heart Outperforms Even the Smartest Business Plan

True organizational purpose goes beyond products and profits and taps into what makes a company matter to people. By reconnecting with its emotional core, a teddy bear retailer bounced back from a $50 million loss and near-bankruptcy to achieve four years of record results and a 2,000 percent stock price surge. The shift began with one courageous question: does it matter if the company exists? Purpose-driven action not only revived business, it created deeper meaning for customers and staff alike.

Leading With Heart Can Outperform Even the Smartest Strategy

Build-A-Bear's pivot from near-bankruptcy to global profitability was anchored on a heartfelt mission: adding more heart to life.