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Stories create experiences and make careers
For Dr. K. Dawn Rutledge, who graduated from our program in 2012, storytelling has been a constant thread throughout her life and career as a
communicator. Dawn vividly remembers entering a poetry-writing contest in eighth grade. “I actually won first place in that contest, and so my love of writing started very early. I was also fascinated with how people like Oprah Winfrey could move their audiences with compelling stories.”
That love of storytelling has led to a long professional career in communication in a wide range of sectors: First a stint in journalism, then work in the nonprofit, corporate, governmental, entertainment and educational sectors. Now, as a consultant and educator, Dawn enjoys helping others tell their stories.
When Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc. bought Maple Street Biscuit Company last year, it promised not to tamper with the successful formula of the restaurant chain founded in Jacksonville.
However, the company did make one change that is having a positive impact: opening Maple Street restaurants on Sundays.
Cracker Barrel did not report sales data for Maple Street when the company reported earnings last week for its first quarter ended Oct. 30.
However, in the company’s conference call with analysts, CEO Sandy Cochran said Maple Street’s comparable-store sales (sales at stores open for more than one year) were about 20% higher than a year ago.