Behind the Success: Award-Winners Lessons Learned Q&A

“Pinky" Cole Hayes is a Jamaican-American restaurateur, author, community activist, and owner of the Slutty Vegan restaurant chain and Bar Vegan in Atlanta, Georgia. Cole Hayes is a culinary disruptor in the industry, transforming America's view of plant-based fast food and striving to make plant-based eating delicious, accessible, and enjoyable for vegans and flexitarians alike. In addition to her work in the food industry, Pinky is also a philanthropist and head of The Pinky Cole Foundation, which is committed to uplifting marginalized and underrepresented communities and breaking the cycle of poverty by providing access to resources and education to pursue their entrepreneurial goals. Pinky has been named to Restaurant Hospitality’s 2021 Power List, Forbes Next 1000, Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 100 Powerful Women in Business List, LA Wire Influential Women of 2020, PETA’s 2021 Most Beautiful Vegan Celebrities List and Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 List.

Derrick Hayes is a multi-million-dollar entrepreneur, philanthropist, and franchising visionary who has redefined the fast-casual dining space with his nationally celebrated brand, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks. What began in 2014 as a small operation inside a gas station—built in honor of his late father, “Big Dave”, has evolved into a cultural movement and one of the most talked-about food brands in the country. From being named one of the Top 10 Sandwiches in the World by the World Food Championships to being recognized by Forbes in the 2021 Next 1000 list, Hayes has turned Big Dave’s into more than just a restaurant, it’s a symbol of resilience, ownership, and community empowerment. In 2025, Big Dave’s Cheesesteaks made history by landing the #6 spot on the Fast Casual Top 100 Movers & Shakers list, making Derrick the highest-ranked Black entrepreneur in the list’s history. No other Black-owned brand has ever broken into the top 10, and Derrick’s accomplishment marks a new standard for culture, legacy, and leadership in the industry.

Brandon Knudsen is the Co-Founder and CEO of Ziggi’s Coffee, a fast-growing specialty coffee and beverage brand built on community, consistency, and people-first leadership. Alongside his wife and business partner, Camrin Knudsen, Brandon has scaled the company from a single neighborhood coffee shop into a nationally expanding franchise system while staying deeply rooted in its founding values. As a founder, Brandon brings a practical, relationship-driven approach to growth, with a focus on building strong teams, sustainable systems, and meaningful local impact.

Jeffrey Perera isn’t just the name behind Jeff’s Bagel Run — he’s the heart and soul of the brand. As Co-Founder and Vice President, Jeff has been leading the charge since day one, turning a home kitchen passion project into a fast-growing bagel sensation. Since opening the first official Jeff’s Bagel Run location in Ocoee, Florida in 2021, Jeff has stayed committed to what makes the brand special: kettle-boiled bagels made fresh every morning. Before taking on the bagel world, Jeff built a career in leadership, serving as Regional Vice President at Atria Senior Living, where he managed operations and nurtured high-performing teams. His people-first approach continues to shape the culture at Jeff’s Bagel Run — where great bagels and great hospitality go hand in hand.

Kathleen Wood is the Founder of Kathleen Wood Partners (KWP), an innovative, award-winning growth strategy firm committed to scaling businesses for success for over two decades. Kathleen and her team specialize in transforming visions into reality through strategic growth solutions, business optimization, competitive sales building, and leadership development. Kathleen's work spans across various industries, focusing on transforming small companies into national brands. She is a nationally recognized strategist who has scaled businesses into market leaders and billion-dollar brands. Kathleen also authored Founderology, a guide for improving workplace dynamics. Kathleen has extensive leadership and operational experience as the former President and COO of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers and executive roles with MasterCard, TGI Friday’s, and the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association.