Passion Inspires Passion
A simple but powerful message from keynote speaker Seb Terry, captures something many of us experience but do not always take the time to recognize: when we connect with what matters to us and share that passion with others, we create momentum that extends beyond ourselves. At BEMA’s Convention 2026, Seb reminded us that we are all here for the same reasons, “to connect, to be seen, to be heard, to be given a voice.” These are not just personal needs, they are essential ingredients in building strong, collaborative environments where bold dreams become reality.
Seb believes meaningful change begins with understanding our own purpose, having the courage to be vulnerable, and recognizing that we are stronger when we move forward together. So how do we strengthen our communities, support one another, and create workplaces where people are empowered to bring their best selves forward? It starts with you.
Identify What Matters Most To You
Identify what genuinely matters to you and write it down. Try not to think about what someone else might think, whether it’s impressive enough, or how accomplishable it feels. For some, that may be building stronger relationships. For others, it may be learning how to play the guitar or how to progress personally or professionally in a field. Whatever it is, make sure this list represents every aspect of yourself: personal relationships, professional aspirations, experiences you want to have or the impact you want to make.
Be Specific & Take Action
Seb believes the most common reason goals remain unfinished is because they are too vague, so the more specific you are, the more likely you are to create a path forward. Instead of saying, “I want to get healthier,” consider “I want to run a 5K by October.” Now that you have a clear goal, transform it into action. If you want to run a 5K, would you sign up today? If you want to start a new business, would you share the idea with someone? If you want to create change, what is one action you can take right now? Growth often requires stepping outside of what is familiar. The discomfort you feel is not always a sign that something is wrong, sometimes it is evidence that we you are moving toward something meaningful.
Share It
One of Seb’s most powerful messages was simple, “Set the goal, share it and do it.” Many of us keep our goals private because we fear judgement, failure, or disappointment. We worry that saying our dreams out loud makes us too vulnerable, but that vulnerability in sharing is where connection begins and becomes contagious. The next step is to share your goal with someone, tell them what is stopping you from achieving this goal, and ask them if they have a goal they need support with too. When we share our goals we are not only being vulnerable, but we are inviting accountability, support, collaboration, and encouragement into our journey. When we understand each other’s goals and challenges, we create opportunities to support one another and collaborate in ways we may never have considered.
Strengthen Community Through Shared Vision
Organizations become stronger when individuals understand how their roles connect to a larger purpose. Whether you are on the ingredient side, equipment side, the management side, or any role in between, every contribution matters. When we become curious about each other’s responsibilities, goals, and passions, collaboration becomes more natural. Instead of working separately, we begin building together.
Convention attendees raved about Seb’s Me, You, Us philosophy saying it was, “Absolutely amazing. Truly impactful and had me not only reflecting on my life but how it can impact others” and others reflected on their own lives saying this made them want to “have more intentional conversations with team members to create more connection.” So, forward this powerful message onto your colleagues, leaders, teams, and industry partners because meaningful change does not happen through one person alone. Change and transformation begins when individuals come together around shared values and a common purpose.
By sharing this conversation, you are encouraging others to reflect on what matters to them, identify goals that inspire them, implement actionable strategies to break through self-imposed limits, and embrace bold decision-making that fuels innovation. When we do this together, we develop stronger communities, create deeper connections, and build endless opportunities for the future.
