Learning the Business From the Ground Up: Jarred Mason’s Journey to COO

The Inspired Stories Podcast · Aug 30, 2026 · 1h 1m

🎙️ From a Wrong Turn to COO: Jarred Mason's Journey Building Standard Market

In this episode, Jarred Mason, Chief Operating Officer of Standard Market, shares how a frustrating commute led him to a hiring sign that changed the next fourteen years of his career. Jarred opens up about learning to lead people who didn't report to him, cutting corporate expenses without slowing growth, and stepping into the COO seat as the company's founders began stepping back.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

Started in grocery retail at an independent store in the Missouri Ozarks

Moved to Chicago at his brothers'…