<p>The visionary leader behind one of the most extraordinary brand turnarounds in the sports and fitness industry, Jim Weber shares the secrets to his success—from purpose-driven leadership and product innovation to customer obsession and workplace culture.</p><p>As former CEO of Brooks Running, Jim Weber took the company from the brink of bankruptcy to a billion-dollar global performance brand—earning the backing of Berkshire Hathaway and Warren Buffett along the way. Under his leadership, Brooks made the bold decision to go all-in on performance running, differentiating itself in a competitive market and becoming a favorite among elite athletes and everyday runners and walkers alike.</p><p>Jim’s strategy centered on focus, innovation, and culture, transforming Brooks into a company built on purpose-driven leadership and customer obsession. By investing in cutting-edge technology, biomechanics research, and sustainable practices, he positioned Brooks as an industry leader in both performance and brand loyalty. His ability to navigate economic downturns, market shifts, supply chain disruption, and fierce competition proved instrumental in the company’s long-term success. <em>Runner’s World </em>magazine named Jim one of the most influential innovators in the running industry. He also earned a spot for more than 10 consecutive years on the Footwear News “Power 100” list.</p><p>In 2017, Jim was faced with a new personal challenge—he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, with complications leading to the loss of the use of one lung. He emerged from the experience cancer-free, and the life-altering experience gave him an even deeper perspective and focus on making the most of life’s journey every day.</p><p>In his compelling, insightful keynotes, Jim shares game-changing business strategies—from product innovation to cultivating customer obsession and building more trusting workplace cultures. Audiences walk away prepared to lead with agility and purpose, adapt to change and disruption, and build brands that go the distance. </p>
Entrepreneurial CEO who steered Brooks Running Company’s remarkable turnaround
<ul><li><strong>Business is a Marathon: Leading with Agility, Purpose, and Pushing Through “The Wall”</strong></li><li>Success in business—like running a marathon—requires vision, endurance, and the ability to push through challenges. Jim Weber, former CEO of Brooks Running, knows this firsthand. In this keynote he shares the formula that re-founded and transformed Brooks from a business on the brink of bankruptcy into a $1.4B global powerhouse brand and industry leader, competing against world class brands. From leading with purpose and driving innovation to cultivating customer obsession and building more trusting workplace cultures, Weber reveals the key decisions that fueled Brooks’ success—offering powerful takeaways on strong leadership, adapting to change and disruption, and building a brand that goes the distance.</li></ul><p> </p>