How to Succeed at Leading Through Change

Some leaders inherit success. Others have to reinvent it. Today's guest has done both. As CEO of City Home, formerly City Furniture, Andrew Koenig is leading one of the biggest transformations in the company's history while also leading business executives across Florida in the fight against cancer.

Today we're talking about what it really takes to lead people through change.

But why change the name of a company approaching $1 billion in annual revenue? What does it take to bring employees, customers, and partners along when the business is already thriving? And how do you know when it's time to redefine not only your brand, but your vision for the future?  We discuss the strategy behind the transformation from City Furniture to City Home, reflecting the company's evolution from a furniture retailer to a complete home destination.  And, As Chairman of the Florida Chapter of CEOs Against Cancer, Andrew also shares why the fight against cancer has become one of his greatest leadership priorities.

Key takeaway:  How do you inspire people to embrace change—not because they have to, but because they believe in where you're going?

Chapter 1: Introducing the Success Triangle

00:00:02 – 00:00:40 Dave Mattson introduces the How to Succeed podcast, which explores how accomplished individuals reach and maintain peak performance. The discussion centers on the success triangle of attitudes, behaviors, and techniques.

Chapter 2: City Furniture's Transformation into City Home

00:00:40 – 00:02:02 Jim Marshall introduces Andrew Koenig, CEO of City Home, and frames the episode around brand reinvention, leadership, and community impact. City Furniture's decision to become City Home represents a broader effort to transform the customer experience and expand beyond traditional furniture retail.

Chapter 3: Why the Company Changed Its Name

00:02:02 – 00:04:01 Koenig explains that the rebrand reflects a long-term vision of becoming a comprehensive provider for customers furnishing and improving their homes. City Home aims to offer more categories, services, speed, affordability, and convenience while addressing the frustrations of coordinating multiple home-related vendors.

Chapter 4: The Company's History and Earlier Reinvention

00:04:01 – 00:06:56 Koenig recounts how his father and uncle started with waterbed shops in 1971 before transitioning to City Furniture in the early 1990s as the waterbed market declined. He joined the business in 2005 and describes how the company's current leadership team, systems, and operational discipline made the latest transformation more manageable than the first.