We know what we are going through in our lives. We have our own deadlines, personal and personnel issues, calendar invitations, inboxes to manage, and all the other work considerations that require our attention. Most of us are managing way more inputs than we are comfortable navigating on our own. Artificial Intelligence (AI) makes us more productive, that’s true. There are hacks and helps and plenty of benefits to all the ways AI can help us get more done. It also means people expect us to get to them more quickly, address their problems, and make them a priority.

Our clients, prospects, and those trying to track us down expect us to meet them on their terms. We expect the same from others – asking “Why didn’t they reply to me?”, “When are they going to email me?”, or “Did they get my phone call?”. You’ve gotten to this point in this month’s B2Seed and by now have noticed it’s all about us.

Like I said, we know what is going on in our lives – we are fully aware of that personal crisis, the recent death we are processing, the challenging employee, or upset client. What we don’t see is a big – or more likely a bigger deal.

A Radical Shift2Change Your Outlook

I’m not blaming you for being focused on yourself – your needs, your struggles, your to do list.  It’s natural, and it’s the way of the world in 2026 (and has been for a while).

The point of this month’s thought-starter is to ask you to consider another tweak to your approach.

Over the past few years, I’ve asked myself the same questions I wrote earlier, and this is a concept I have not mastered but am focused on improving. My attempt is to change my perspective and quietly ask myself – “what is going on in other people’s lives?”. We know what is going on in our own world, but frequently miss surveying and perhaps even asking, “How are you? Or what is happening with you these days?”. Those are smart questions to start a meaningful exchange, and you’ll find that switching the focus from yourself to the other person will dramatically improve your communication AND your outlook.

As I’ve repeatedly shared with audiences throughout the early part of 2026, the world can use a little more empathy. Let’s start with this adjustment and see how it transforms your interactions.

This is just one of the many topics covered in my speaking engagements. The idea of empathy is a powerful part of what makes the good servers great in the world of hospitality. It’s a natural skill for many, but there are ways to learn to be more empathetic as well. Let’s talk about how one of these topics could help build momentum with your leadership team or a group of employees.

To schedule a Speaking Engagement – www.brucecbryan.com/speaking

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In the next few months, I’ll pass 200 of these B2Seed columns. That’s basically one per month for 17+ years, and there are a lot of reasons I do it. Last month in our Take5, there was a longer-form explanation of the power of Content Creation and why it’s critical for most any business. If you missed it, visit here.

You’d think when you write something like this that you can expect immediate feedback. When my father was alive, he routinely wrote me each month with (often positive and sometimes brutally honest) input. Now my godfather, who is in his 90s, religiously replies with an email full of kind words (Hi Uncle Art!!!). Other than that, I don’t regularly get emails from the hundreds of you who read this every month.

And that’s okay. I don’t expect to hear from most of you right away. As the introduction clearly states above, the purpose of this monthly submission is to be a thought-starter and to help you make the change you’ve been pondering but are often slow to move on. Even though I may not hear from you, I realize this information is powerful and helpful.  

Doing the Work2Help Make a Difference

Recently, I had a dear client pull me aside and tell me how much he appreciated my B2Seeds. This isn’t a column about how helpful the B2Seed content is. Instead, I wanted to share that we put goodness into the world and find ways to share, offer suggestions, provide advice or support to make things better for others, and to build our top-of-mind awareness and brand trust.

It’s why I write each month and have for all these years, and it’s why I encourage you to follow the same path professionally. If you’re not a great or prolific writer, get help doing so, or if it works better for you, use images instead of words. Regular outreach communication is a powerful tool, and I want you to employ it to help you just like it has helped me. That’s why we do it.

When you do get wonderful feedback — like I recently did from my special client — it’s more of a confirmation and validation that you’re doing the right thing. That’s the extra benefit, not the reason why.

My friends and clients, start writing (or snapping photos)!

This topic and many more are covered in my new book.
To order Turning Tables: Everything I Needed to Know about Business I Learned as a Server, go to https://indiepubs.com/products/turning-tables?_pos=1&_sid=02c306be1&_ss=r.

To schedule a Speaking Engagement, go to www.brucecbryan.com.

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What do waiting tables, ethical marketing, curiosity, and purpose-driven work have in common?

More than you might think.

In this episode, Creative on Purpose’s Scott Perry sits down with Bruce C. Bryan —author of Turning Tables: Everything I Needed to Know About Business I Learned as a Server, host of Naturally Curious, and owner of 5Points Creative—for a rich conversation about service, storytelling, branding, and what it really takes to build a meaningful body of work.

Bruce shares how his early love of radio evolved into a career in broadcasting, marketing, and authorship, and why the lessons he learned in restaurants kept showing up everywhere else in business. Together, Scott and Bruce explore the connection between service and sales, why great marketing is really about solving problems, and how the hardest part of creating something meaningful is often not making it—but getting the word out after it’s done.

This conversation also digs into the difference between trying to be interesting and actually being interested, why branding is more about the customer than the creator, and what purpose-driven solopreneurs need to remember if they want to make a difference without losing themselves in performance, hype, or self-promotion.

Bruce’s closing takeaway says it all: bring value. If you do that consistently, generously, and with integrity, good things tend to follow.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How Bruce’s career came full circle from childhood radio dreams to podcasting and authorship
• Why hospitality teaches powerful business lessons
• The link between curiosity, listening, and meaningful work
• Why writing the book is only part of the job
• How ethical marketing can be an act of service
• Why the best brands help the customer feel seen, capable, and empowered
• What purpose-driven creators should focus on next: bringing value

Links & Resources

Bruce Bryan: brucecbryan.com

Subscribe to the Creative on Purpose Substack here.

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The best B2Seed topics often come from real-life experiences. When one gets your attention and ties into one of the main lessons you’ve been sharing, it’s time to snag it and pass it along! On Thanksgiving eve, two packages from a major international brand arrived on our doorstep. One of the packages belonged to my son, but the other package didn’t belong to anyone else in our house. After the delivery person left, my wife grabbed the boxes and noticed there was an issue with the label. She had the name of the correct recipient, their phone number, and the unlucky shipee’s address, too.

Shortly after that, the driver reappeared and rang our doorbell, wanting the package back. He blamed the sorter and the warehouse. My wife said, “I’m not sure I should give it to you. How will I know you won’t just toss it in the undelivered bin?” She wasn’t being difficult; she just wanted to ensure this special package got to Baltimore, Maryland. The trust in this employee was broken, and the process hadn’t worked as it was designed.

Take Ownership4The Best Results

Instead of owning his part in the mistake, the delivery person blamed others. It’s Chapter 8 in my new book. “Take Responsibility” is the title of that chapter, and that lesson doesn’t just apply to hospitality. It’s the smart play in package delivery and with your business or organization, too.

We knew it wasn’t only the warehouse or the label maker’s mistake. The driver shared in the issue, too. That’s how client-care problems happen. Three or four people usually have a hand in messing something up. After a problem is identified, break down where the breakdown happened. Start in the moment with taking ownership of the issue – don’t blame the kitchen (or your warehouse, or your co-workers). Jump in, solve the problem, and care for the client first. Then do the debrief and determine how to avoid a repeat of what happened that broke the process.

Taking responsibility builds trust. Building trust creates stronger branding and willingness to increase investments, alliances, and partnerships. When you can acknowledge your mistakes and turn something bad into a stronger business, your organization can be better situated for success.

As written above, this topic and many more are covered in my new book.

To order, Turning Tables: Everything I Needed to Know about Business I Learned as a Server, visit here. (I’ll happily autograph any copies you purchase if we can find a way to connect in person .)

To schedule a Speaking Engagement, go to www.brucecbryan.com.

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The Martin’s Restaurant Group is a locally owned collection of standout dining experiences in the Roanoke Valley. Owned by Jason Martin, the group includes Martin’s Downtown, Sidecar, and Jaybird Tavern. Each establishment offers its own distinct atmosphere while sharing a commitment to quality food, thoughtful service, and community connection.

I had the pleasure of speaking with Jason Martin and his leadership team about my book, Turning Tables at The Spot on Kirk. It was a great session, and I walked away with some thoughtful feedback and new insights of my own.

The team really connected with the “No Kitchen Errors” concept and how it applies to the work they do together every day. That’s always meaningful to hear. I continue to learn from Jason, and I truly admire the way he and his team approach both their restaurants and their catering work with intention and high standards.

Bruce Bryan didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur. It was a leap born out of necessity during the Great Recession of 2018. But from that uncertain start, he built 5Points Creative into a thriving marketing agency.

In this episode of What Am I Even Doing?, Bruce shares his journey of starting and growing a marketing agency:

How a sudden career shift pushed him into entrepreneurship
The power of authentic networking and vulnerability
Key lessons in hiring, growth, and embracing challenges
Why authenticity is the cornerstone of building trust and lasting relationships
Bruce’s story is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the unexpected paths that lead to success.

Catch the full interview and subscribe to What Am I Even Doing? for more real, unfiltered stories from entrepreneurs and leaders who’ve been through the trenches.

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