February 13, 2025
at Noon CST

February 13, 2025

Circular logo and the words "Business as Un-Usual: A Livestream Series", all in white

Sloan and The Cubs:
Hitting Innovation Out of the Park

February 13, 2025 at Noon CST

Join us for a Business as “Un”usual Livestream hosted by Kathy Steele, Chief Executive Officer, Red Caffeine. This session will feature President & Chief Executive Officer at Sloan Valve Company.

BAU - Kirk Allen - February 13, 2025

Kirk Allen

President &
Chief Executive Officer
Sloan Valve Company

Kathy Steele

Chief Executive Officer
Red Caffeine

What to Expect:

What do Sloan Valve Company and Wrigley Field’s ivy-covered walls have in common? A legacy built to last. As a fourth-generation leader of his family business, Sloan CEO Kirk Allen knows the challenges and opportunities of staying relevant in a fast-changing market. With insights on creating impactful partnerships, evolving leadership structures, and innovating for customer-centric growth, this session is your playbook for building a future-ready business.

Get ready to hit your next big business idea out of the park. Register now!

Session Takeaways
  • Discover how long-term collaborations, like sports sponsorships, can amplify brand presence, create customer engagement opportunities, and drive market influence
  • We’ll explore how family-led businesses can evolve leadership structures to embrace modern challenges while preserving core values and traditions
  • Learn how combining innovation, creativity, and flexibility enables smaller, privately held businesses to thrive against larger, resource-rich competitors
  • Gain insights into how to tailor your products and Go-to-market strategies for international markets

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The Next Event Starts In:

3
Days
11
Hrs
48
Mins
59
Secs

Watch the Livestream on Your Favorite Platform:

Once the livestream begins, you can watch
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Meet the Guest Speaker & Host

Guest

Kirk Allen
President &
Chief Executive Officer
Sloan Valve Company

Kirk is the President and CEO of The Sloan Valve Company, a 118-year-old family-owned commercial plumbing manufacturer in Franklin Park, Illinois. Kirk is a member…

Kirk is the President and CEO of The Sloan Valve Company, a 118-year-old family-owned commercial plumbing manufacturer in Franklin Park, Illinois. Kirk is a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) – Chicago Chapter and Vistage International. He also serves on the board of The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation – Illinois Chapter and The Water Council. He is an active member of the Loyola University Family Business Group and has served on the late Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley’s Technology Advisory Committee. Kirk is a proud Sun Devil and graduate of Arizona State University, Husband to Amy Allen, and father to four unique and inspiring children.
Read Kirk's Bio

Host

Kathy Steele
Chief Executive Officer
Red Caffeine

Kathy Steele is the dynamic CEO of Red Caffeine, a growth consultancy that thrives on building strategic marketing, branding, and technology solutions to fuel client…

Kathy Steele is the dynamic CEO of Red Caffeine, a growth consultancy that thrives on building strategic marketing, branding, and technology solutions to fuel client growth. With over two decades of entrepreneurial expertise, Kathy has honed her ability to drive company strategy through culturally-aligned leadership and robust client collaboration. Under Kathy’s stewardship, Red Caffeine has been recognized repeatedly for its standout workplace culture and innovative growth strategies. Her dedication to fostering a collaborative environment is reflected in the firm’s commitment to values-driven work, which has resulted in numerous industry accolades and a robust client portfolio. An impassioned speaker, Kathy frequently shares her insights on business strategy, leadership, and corporate culture at major industry events. She is deeply committed to community service and actively contributes to economic development initiatives. Kathy’s leadership extends into her roles in various advisory boards and business councils, where she advocates for policies that enhance business and community well-being. Kathy’s expertise is frequently sought for her thought leadership in integrating marketing, technology, and operational strategies to achieve business goals. Her approach not only drives organizational growth but also ensures sustainability through innovative practices and a focus on building long-term client relationships. Through Red Caffeine, Kathy continues to inspire and lead a team dedicated to delivering measurable results and transformative impacts for their clients, positioning the consultancy at the forefront of industry innovation and thought leadership.
Read Kathy's Bio

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Catch Up on Past Livestreams

We do our best to build each Business as “Un”usual livestream event around evergreen topics, so you can find valuable insights from our entire library of content.