Cole Waybright joins Danielle Burmeister in this discussion about what drew him to the funeral profession, his advice for those just starting out and how his career has evolved into where he is now. Cole Waybright is Vice President of Sales Optimization with Homesteaders Life Company. In their chat, Cole talks about his early experiences in the family funeral home business and what he’s learned along the way. They also forecast trends in the profession like cremation, the importance of hiring good talent and the leadership lessons he’s learned and implemented within his team. Hear more about Cole and how his passion for service, continuous improvement and mentorship have shaped his approach to leadership and innovation in the funeral profession.

Chapters:

0:47 · Family roots.
How Cole’s family legacy led him into funeral service

2:31 · A change of heart.
What inspired Cole to pursue a career in the profession

3:31 · Early surprises.
Lessons learned during his first years serving families

4:41 · A lasting impression.
The most meaningful service he’s ever arranged

6:14 · A new path.
Transitioning from funeral service to training and development

11:25 · Then and now.
How the profession has evolved — and where it’s headed next

16:57 · The Homesteaders impact.
What role Homesteaders plays in shaping the future of funeral service

19:43 · Leading through change.
How Cole guides his team through growth and transformation

22:14 · Building strong teams.
Cole’s insights on finding and keeping great talent

24:14 · Words of wisdom.
Advice for those just starting out in the profession

26:44 · On the nightstand.
What Cole’s reading right now

28:26 · Fuel for the fire.
What’s giving Cole energy and inspiration today