Podcast Summary: Mick Unplugged

Episode: Dream Bigger: Janice Bryant Howroyd’s Success Code

Host: Mick Hunt ("Realm")
Guest: Janice Bryant Howroyd (JBH)
Release Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This inspiring episode of Mick Unplugged features Janice Bryant Howroyd, founder and CEO of the ActOne Group. Recognized as the first African American woman to own and operate a billion-dollar business, JBH shares her journey from humble beginnings in Tarboro, North Carolina to building a global, multi-billion dollar enterprise. The conversation delves into the essence of leadership, uncompromising personal values, ethical entrepreneurship, and the difference between a “why” and a “because.” Listeners will find wisdom on building authentic culture, finding purpose, and the true measures of success.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Early Influences

• Janice recounts her entrepreneurial roots, growing up in a large, close-knit family in the South, and being shaped by both adversity and encouragement.

  • Her grandparents practiced ethical entrepreneurship, running a barbecue restaurant that welcomed everyone and adjusted prices according to patrons' means.
  • Quote (04:55):
    “I saw them practicing their version of ethical entrepreneurship ... taking care of their community in ways that certainly became a part of my emotional mindset.” – JBH

• Key moment: In 11th grade, she was one of the first black students to integrate her local high school—a year that deeply challenged her but ultimately shaped her resilience and outlook.

  • Her father’s belief in her potential was pivotal in healing her soul and fueling future ambition.
  • Quote (08:26):
    "My dad taught me to love people who were actively, physically, socially hating me... If I didn't like what I was seeing around me, that it was within my capacity and my responsibility...to build forward…” – JBH

2. Ethics and Culture as Core Pillars

• Never Compromise Who You Are:

  • Janice’s foundational motto: “Never compromise who you are personally for who you want to be professionally.”
    • Quote (14:56):
      “That is my life mantra … Culture is important because it also is a very threadable and a very expanding thing for us…We need to get in touch with who we are. That's where all the strength, growth, and pain can be healed.” – JBH
  • Her move from the East Coast to Los Angeles brought her face-to-face with diverse cultures and pressures to conform, but she resolved to remain true to her identity rather than modify herself for professional gain.

• Culture in Business:

  • Culture is not a slogan or a marketing exercise, but the authentic fabric that shapes every relationship and business outcome.
  • Understanding the culture of teams and clients alike is essential for genuine impact and lasting results.

3. The FEET Framework (Freedom, Excellence, Everyone/Everything, Time)

• Freedom to Innovate:

  • Permission to make mistakes, learn, and grow fosters true innovation.
  • Quote (20:41):
    “When you give a person freedom to innovate, you are basically saying you have permission to make mistakes, make them fast, be transparent about them, and let's all learn how we grow from them.” – JBH

• Excellence in Delivery:

  • Never settle for just “good enough”—strive for excellence always.
  • Quote (22:06):
    “Why settle for good enough when excellence can be yours?” – paraphrased from Shaka, cited by JBH

• Everyone and Everything Matters:

  • Every detail and every person counts; being attentive and caring can be the difference between winning and losing.
  • Memorable story (23:09):
    Janice recounts how caring for a building receptionist—a small act—helped her win a major contract because people felt valued and reciprocated in kind.

• Time Investment:

  • Treat time as an investment, not an expense; be intentional on how and with whom you spend it.
  • Quote (25:45):
    "I no longer spend time, I invest time...make sure you're only spending 10% of it, 90% has to be invested..." – JBH

4. The ‘Because’—Purpose Deeper Than ‘Why’

• Mick explores the concept of “Because” as a driving force that transcends the surface-level motivations of “Why.”

  • Quote (32:41):
    "It's because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – JBH

• Living with Purpose and Integrity:

  • For JBH, faith is at the core of her ‘Because’; it guides both her actions and sense of responsibility to her community, family, and employees.
  • Success is measured not by wealth but by the “worthy realization of a worthy ideal.”
  • Quote (37:05):
    “If my grandbabies don't know me because my children don't want to know me, if those things are occurring in my life, then any measure of gold is not going to satisfy success. For me, success is the worthy realization of a worthy ideal.” – JBH

5. Investing in People and Relationships

• Internal culture is as important—if not more—than external branding or customer focus; every team member is a “teammate,” not just an employee.
• The FEET principles aren’t just on the wall—they are measured, discussed, and drive how the company operates and rewards people.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |-----------|---------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:55 | JBH | “I saw them practicing their version of ethical entrepreneurship ... taking care of their community in ways that certainly became a part of my emotional mindset.” | | 08:26 | JBH | "My dad taught me to love people who were actively, physically, socially hating me..." | | 11:02 | JBH | "That little Navy headed girl from Tarboro, North Carolina." | | 14:56 | JBH | “Never compromise who you are personally for who you want to be professionally.” | | 20:41 | JBH | “When you give a person freedom to innovate, you are basically saying you have permission to make mistakes, make them fast, be transparent about them, and let's all learn how we grow from them.” | | 23:09 | JBH | [Story of winning a major contract by making the receptionist feel valued.] | | 25:45 | JBH | “I no longer spend time, I invest time.” | | 32:41 | JBH | “It's because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” | | 37:05 | JBH | “For me, success is the worthy realization of a worthy ideal.” |

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [02:34] — JBH joins and reflects on her journey and company’s growth
• [04:13] — Early entrepreneurial influences and 11th grade integration story
• [14:56] — The essence of not compromising personal identity for professional success
• [18:55] — Arrival in LA and coming to terms with her identity
• [20:40] — Explanation and stories behind JBH’s FEET leadership framework
• [31:44] — The question: “What’s your because?”
• [32:41] — JBH’s answer: Purpose rooted in faith
• [34:16–37:05] — Money, metrics, and the true measure of success
• [38:53] — Closing remarks and gratitude

Tone & Style

• The conversation is heartfelt, candid, and filled with practical wisdom.
• Both Mick and JBH speak with warmth, authenticity, and encouragement, often highlighting the importance of family, faith, ethical leadership, and personal growth.

Actionable Takeaways

• Build your business and life around unshakeable personal values.
• Never underestimate the power of small acts in building authentic culture.
• Adopt frameworks like FEET to measure and reinforce what matters most in teams.
• Invest time and energy where they create the greatest value—personally and professionally.
• Define your “because”—find the purpose that sustains you beyond superficial success.

Where to Learn More

• Follow Janice Bryant Howroyd on all social platforms
• Listen to her podcast "Ask JBH"
• More on Mick Unplugged and host Mick Hunt at mchuntofficial.com

Final Note:
This episode is a masterclass in modern leadership and the power of living authentically and with purpose. As Mick summarizes, “Your because is your superpower. Go unleash it.”