We had the good fortune of connecting with Shawn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Shawn, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
My business helps the community by strengthening the people and small businesses that form its backbone. I understand small business deeply because I come from it. For more than 38 years, I’ve been a small business owner and employee, responsible for teams of 50+ people and the families that depend on them. I know the weight of making payroll, adding benefits, growing a team, and sometimes making difficult decisions. I also understand what it feels like to work inside an antagonistic culture—and the toll that takes on individuals and performance.

At my core, I simply love helping people succeed. Across my career—as a sales professional, business owner, consultant, executive recruiter, and sales and marketing leader—the outcome has always been the same: helping people move from where they are to where they need to be. I believe sales skills are life skills. Discernment, negotiation, persuasion, asking great questions, and especially active listening improve not just business results, but human relationships and communication overall.

Guided by Zig Ziglar’s philosophy—“You can get everything you want in life if you simply help enough other people get what they want”—my work focuses on creating a ripple effect. By helping small business owners, leadership teams, and sales organizations operate more effectively and humanely, the positive impact extends beyond the workplace to employees’ families, customers, vendors, and local communities. That ripple, repeated across many small businesses, is how I believe meaningful, lasting change happens—and how my work helps improve the world, one business at a time.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business is a direct reflection of who I am and how I was raised. I’m a husband, a father of three incredible daughters, a lifelong business geek, and someone who is driven to find improvement in just about everything. I grew up in Houston, Texas, largely raised by a single mom who taught me a simple but powerful standard: give 100% or don’t do it at all. That mindset still guides how I work, how I lead, and how I serve others.

Professionally, my mission is to make a meaningful difference in communities through the ripple effect of helping small business leaders bring their vision into reality. Over a 38+ year career, I’ve worn many hats—business owner, sales leader, executive recruiter, public speaker, consultant—and I’ve never removed myself from the day-to-day activities that actually grow a business. That hands-on experience is what sets me apart. I don’t deal in theory alone; I understand the real pressures of making payroll, building teams, driving revenue, and leading people through change.

Getting to where I am today was not easy—and it wasn’t supposed to be. I’ve faced the same challenges my clients face: uncertainty, growth pains, tough decisions, and the constant need to adapt. I overcame those challenges by staying curious, learning relentlessly, surrounding myself with great mentors, and focusing on fundamentals—clear communication, strong relationships, disciplined execution, and continuous improvement. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that clarity creates confidence, and confidence fuels progress.

What I’m most proud of is the transformation I see in my clients. When leaders gain clarity and become more effective and efficient, the impact extends far beyond the business. Cultures improve. Employees feel valued. Families benefit. Communities grow stronger. That ripple effect is what excites me most about the work I do.

What I want the world to know about my brand and my story is simple: I genuinely care. I believe business can be a powerful force for good when leaders are equipped with the right skills, mindset, and support. My work is about helping people succeed—not just in business, but in life—and creating a lasting impact that reaches far beyond the bottom line.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
This is a tough one… so many choices…

If my best friend were coming to town for a week and I wanted them to experience the real Houston, I’d build the trip around amazing food, live music, and a few classic Texas experiences. Houston is incredibly underrated—especially when it comes to our food scene—and this itinerary would prove it.

Day 1 – Welcome to Houston
We’d start with a relaxed dinner at Cavatore or Adriatic Café for Italian. Both are longtime local favorites with incredible food and a comfortable, neighborhood feel—perfect for settling in and catching up.

Day 2 – Texas BBQ Day
This day is all about Texas BBQ. Brisket, ribs, sausage—the works. Houston’s BBQ scene is outstanding, and this is usually the meal visitors remember most when they get home.

Day 3 – Astros & Downtown Energy
An afternoon or evening at a Houston Astros game is a must. The energy is hard to beat, even if you’re not a die-hard baseball fan. After the game, we’d grab drinks downtown and enjoy the city vibe.

Day 4 – Tex-Mex Tour
Houston does Tex-Mex exceptionally well. We’d rotate between Romero’s Las Brazas, Soto’s, and possibly Chuy’s, depending on the mood. Margaritas, queso, fajitas—classic comfort food done right.

Day 5 – Kemah & Gulf Coast Seafood
We’d take a day trip to Kemah, walk the boardwalk, and soak in the coastal atmosphere. From there, we’d head toward Galveston for fresh seafood—shrimp, oysters, and Gulf classics. It’s a great change of pace from the city and a reminder of how close Houston is to the coast.

Day 6 – Live Music Night
We’d spend the evening at a live music venue like MainStreet Crossing in Tomball. It’s an intimate setting with incredible talent and really showcases the strength of the Texas music scene.

Day 7 – Crawfish or Favorites Revisited
If it’s crawfish season, this day revolves around Cormier’s Kitchen—hands down the best crawfish in town. If not, we’d revisit a favorite spot from earlier in the week, relax, grab coffee, and enjoy a slower Houston day before departure.

By the end of the week, I’d want them leaving with one clear takeaway: Houston is wildly underrated. Between the food, sports, music, coastal access, and genuine people, it’s a city that delivers an unforgettable experience when you see it like a local.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I feel incredibly blessed to call Zig Ziglar my mentor. His books, videos, and seminars profoundly shaped who I am—both personally and professionally—and continue to influence how I show up in my work today. Guided by his philosophy, “You can get everything you want in life if you simply help enough other people get what they want,” my focus is on creating a meaningful ripple effect through the people and businesses I serve.

Website: https://Thrive2Win.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawnlacagnina/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnlacagnina/

Twitter: https://x.com/shawn_lacagnina

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.