15 Minutes with the Boss ‘I didn’t realise how far gone I was’: How this CEO survived burnout
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Mar 30, 2026 Jess Saxby, CEO of Banjo's Bakery Cafes, led a major rebrand of the family-run chain and balances business with family life. She talks about stepping into leadership, spotting inconsistent store standards, using a business coach and ChatGPT for productivity. Jess also opens up about hitting burnout and the boundaries she put in place to recover and support her team.
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Unexpected Offer To Lead The Family Business
- Jess was running her own Levite Sandwich Bars for five years when her father asked her to become CEO of Banjo's, a family business she hadn't planned to join.
- She took a week to decide, consulted husband, partners, grandparents and friends, then accepted the role and transitioned into leading Banjo's.
Brand Inconsistency Was The Biggest Early Problem
- On first visiting franchise stores Jess found inconsistent merchandising, cramped layouts and poor upkeep which revealed systemic brand weaknesses.
- She led a rebrand and refurbished ~80% of stores within 18 months to create consistent product offering, layout and presentation.
Treat People The Way They Want To Be Treated
- Treat people the way they want to be treated by adapting your communication style to individual motives and backgrounds.
- Use tailored communication to ensure clarity across a diverse workforce rather than assuming one style fits all.