I was asked by YSN to join them and the winners of the first ever Subway Global Challenge for a day of meeting the team at Subway Headquarters in Milford, Connecticut.

It was a great day full of briefings and information overload from every aspect of the global business. While I had heard that Subway was still very much a family business, I wasn't ready for just how friendly and welcoming everyone we met was going to be.

What I loved most was that almost anyone you talked to would instantly start sharing their personal story about how they began working there and how many years it had been. People are proud to work there and it shows.

We were taken behind the scenes to learn how each store is designed, snack on some sneak previews in their test kitchen and meet with the creative team who handles everything from signage to restaurant decor. Before we were done I don't think there was any aspect of the business that we hadn't learned more about.

Spending time with the entrepreneurs from around the globe who won was exciting as well. Each of them had a unique reason for taking part in the contest and I can't wait to see what they each end up doing in the future.

You can find out more about the challenge on Twitter, Facebook and of course the official web site. Thank you Subway for the warm welcome and hospitality!