Bruce Cardenas: The Human Side of Business Success

The Wisdom Of... with Simon Bowen

In this episode of 'The Wisdom Of' Show, Simon Bowen explores transformative leadership insights with Bruce Cardenas, former LAPD officer and Chief Communications Officer of Quest Nutrition. From his decorated 20-year service in law enforcement to helping lead Quest Nutrition to a $1 billion exit, Bruce shares powerful lessons about authentic leadership, human connection, and building remarkable company cultures.

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Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction and background

08:15 Early leadership lessons from LAPD

15:23 Transforming from authority to empathy

22:47 Building an authentic company culture

31:16 Quest Nutrition's success principles

38:42 The power of customer loyalty

45:15 Key advice for founders

About Bruce Cardenas

Bruce Cardenas is a transformative leader whose journey spans military service, law enforcement, and corporate success. As a Marine Corps veteran with four years of active duty and eight years in the reserves, he developed foundational leadership skills that would shape his future endeavors. His distinguished 20-year career with the LAPD earned him over 20 meritorious citations and the prestigious police star for bravery, where he served across various units and was selected as an advisor on the CHRISTOPHER commission. Bruce's entrepreneurial drive led him to establish a global executive protection business and serve as executive vice president of a major chauffeured services company operating in over 700 cities worldwide. His most notable corporate achievement came as Chief Communications Officer at Quest Nutrition, where he played a pivotal role in the company's growth and eventual $1 billion cash exit. Today, Bruce channels his wealth of experience into selective consulting, helping businesses create dynamic teams, implement effective marketing strategies, and build strong company cultures. His unique blend of military discipline, law enforcement integrity, and business acumen makes him a sought-after advisor for leaders seeking to drive meaningful organizational change.

Connect with Bruce

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-cardenas/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bruce1962/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bruceecardenas/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/cardenas_bruce

About Simon Bowen

Simon has spent over two decades working with some of the most influential leaders across many complex industries and circumstances. His very clear finding is that thinking is valued less than doing in almost every situation in our modern world. However, Simon has conversely observed that the power and success of any business, project or organization will be in direct proportion to the level and quality of thinking of the people and the quality of the idea or ideas on which it is built. As such, Simon is leading the renaissance of thinking.

Connect with Simon

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonbowen-mm/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsimonbowen/
• Website: https://thesimonbowen.com/

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