The ESOP Podcast

It's time for our annual EO/ESOP Podcast Summer School series. We've selected some of our favorite episodes over the past year for your enjoyment over the summer break. Today we're sharing an episode of the "Owner to Owner" podcast. Host Jesse Tyler was joined by three great employee owners at 100% ESOP King Arthur Baking Company, Michael Scanlon, Manager, Workforce Acquisition and Growth, David Turner, Recipe Developer, and Ana Gallo, Fulfillment Operations Manager. Each guest shares personal insights on what ownership means to them; how they describe ownership when talking to family, friends, and strangers; the three words they use to describe ownership; their EO A-ha moments; and why anyone seeking work should consider a career at King Arthur. This episode was originally published on October 11, 2023, as Episode 52 of the "Owner to Owner" podcast.

It's time for our annual EO/ESOP Podcast Summer School series. We've selected some of our favorite episodes over the past year for your enjoyment over the summer break. Bret Keisling was joined by Peter Newman, founder of Peak Wealth Planning [www.peakwealthplanning.com/], a boutique financial advisory firm specializing in high net-worth individuals with an emphasis on employee ownership. In this episode, Peter discusses the various considerations someone should make as they begin planning for a successful retirement. Many employee owners may retire with a nest egg that generates more income than the salary. Peter describes how a mindset shift can be necessary to focus on designing and funding a retirement lifestyle, and why making and implementing financial decisions during the career can have a huge impact on retirement. This episode was originally published on January 10, 2023, as the first in a three-part series, which is now available in its entirety on our website. The show notes for this episode also include a helpful PDF called "The Employee Owner's Guide to Diversification and Retirement Planning." https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/esop-summer-school-43-peter-newman-successful-retirement-planning

As the US begins to celebrate the July 4th holiday, we're resharing this classic episode in which Bret Keisling reflects on what the holiday means to him and how employee ownership can address what he sees as our most vexing problem in the US, our inability to work together to benefit us all. Shoutouts to NCEO co-founder Corey Rosen, the Employee Ownership News, and the "Owner to Owner" podcast with Jesse Tyler. The full transcript of this episode, which includes links to all of the topics mentioned, is available on our website https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/esop-summer-school-42-from-independence-to-interdependence

It's time for our annual EO/ESOP Podcast Summer School series. We've selected some of our favorite episodes over the past year for your enjoyment over the summer break. In part 1, Bret Keisling was joined by Keith Butcher, managing partner and co-founder of ButcherJoseph & Co., a national investment banking firm focused on middle market M&A and ESOP advisory. Keith shares his view that when mature ESOPs run into trouble, it is not because the ESOP structure is flawed, but that the company and leadership team has lost its entrepreneurial and strategic spirit. He discusses the positive interplay between private equity and employee ownership and why it's a good thing, and why companies should act like they're going to sell in 3 years, whether they intend to or not. This episode was originally published as the first in a two-part series, which is now available in its entirety on our website at: https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/esop-summer-school-41-keith-butcher-of-butcherjoseph-part-1

It's time for our annual EO/ESOP Podcast Summer School series. We've selected some of our favorite episodes over the past year for your enjoyment over the summer break. In this episode, Bret Keisling shared EO A-ha Moments from five previous podcast guests who, besides sharing a passion for employee ownership, all presented or moderated at the 2024 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, sponsored by the Aspen Institute and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing, that was held in Washington DC on April 9-10, 2024. If you missed it, you can still catch selected video from the Forum on their website. In this EO A-ha moment compilation you'll hear from Maureen Conway (Aspen Institute), Adria Scharf (Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing), Corey Rosen (the National Center for Employee Ownership), Evan Edwards (Project Equity), and Jenny Levy (Hypertherm). Links to the full interviews and more are available on our website at https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/esop-summer-school-40-eo-a-ha-moments-volume-vii

Bret Keisling is joined by Gina Schaefer, founder, board chair, and retired CEO of A Few Cool Hardware Stores, which was founded in 2003 in Washington D.C. It has since expanded to 15 locations in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore, MD metro areas. In 2021 it became a partial ESOP with plans to eventually become majority and then 100% employee owned. Gina shares the origin story of A Few Cool Hardware Stores and its journey to employee ownership.  Starting with her EO A-ha Moment, which is directly related to the civil protests that took place in Washington D.C. in 2020, Gina discusses how small businesses can support their employees and communities.  She touches on the challenges and rewards of transitioning to employee ownership, emphasizing the importance of community and connection. Gina shares the inspiring story of how her neighborhood hardware store hired a number of people who were in treatment at a nearby addiction center, and how the hardware store came to be known in the community as "Recovery Hardware," which became the title of her book.   For more information on Gina, A Few Good Hardware Stores, and a link to where you can buy “Recovery Hardware” while also supporting independent booksellers, visit our webpage for this episode here: https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/283-gina-schaefer-on-business-community-eo

Bret Keisling is joined by Gina Schaefer, founder, board chair, and retired CEO of A Few Cool Hardware Stores, which was founded in 2003 in Washington D.C. It has since expanded to locations in the Washington D.C. and Baltimore, MD metro areas. In 2021 it became a partial ESOP with plans to eventually become majority and then 100% employee owned. Gina shares the inspiring story of how her neighborhood hardware store hired a number of people who were in treatment at a nearby addiction center, and how the hardware store came to be known in the community as "Recovery Hardware," which became the title of her book.   This episode is excerpted from next week's EsOp Podcast, which is a full conversation about Gina's path to employee ownership and so much more. For a full transcript of this episode, more information on Gina, A Few Good Hardware Stores, and a link to where you can buy “Recovery Hardware” while also supporting independent booksellers, visit our webpage for this episode here: https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/mini-cast-265-gina-schaefer-and-recovery-hardware

Part 2. Bret Keisling is joined again by Campbell McDonald, chief executive of Ownership at Work [www.ownershipatwork.org/], a UK-based charitable think tank, and a research fellow at the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. They discuss the interplay between employee ownership and company “best practices;” the international growth of employee ownership; and Campbell gives a shout out to the Oxford Symposium on Employee Ownership, and the work performed by Graeme Nuttal in growing EO internationally. They also discuss board of director differences between EO and non-EO companies, and how many EO boards need to get better equipped on addressing business challenges of their companies. Listeners may want to listen to part 1 of the conversation (Ep. 281) for context before listening to this episode. A link to that episode, and all our show notes, are available on this episode's webpage at https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/282-ownership-at-work-s-campbell-mcdonald-part-2

Bret Keisling is joined by Campbell McDonald, chief executive of Ownership at Work [https://ownershipatwork.org/], a UK-based charitable think tank, and a research fellow at the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. They delve into the impact of employee ownership on businesses and communities, the importance of employee voice, sharing rewards, and leadership in employee-owned businesses. They also discuss the similarities in EO results, regardless of the form of EO or what country the employee-owned businesses operate in.  Campbell shares findings from Ownership at Work's EO Knowledge Programme, which was commissioned in 2022 by the Employee Ownership Association (EOA) and set out to establish a new baseline in understanding the scale and impact of employee ownership in the UK. The EO Knowledge Programme is the sector’s most ambitious research project to date, consisting of three vital research strands: The EO Performance Project, The Good EO Project, and the EO Integrated Impact Project. Check out the photo of the "light switch moment" mentioned in this episode, as well as additional resources, on our webpage for this episode at https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/281-ownership-at-work-s-campbell-mcdonald-part-1

From July 2022: Bret Keisling is joined by Anne-Claire Broughton of Broughton Consulting [www.broughton-consulting.com] and founder of the North Carolina Employee Ownership Center (NCEOC), who discusses small business transitions to employee ownership, open book management, and The Great Game of Business, B-corporations, and how employee ownership improves urban and rural areas and members of the BIPOC communities. Further show notes are available on our website at https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/280-icymi-anne-claire-broughton-of-broughton-consulting

Bret Keisling is joined by Jesse Tyler, Hypertherm Associate and host of the "Owner to Owner" podcast, to share brief highlights from the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO)'s 2024 Annual Conference, held April 29-May 1 in Tampa Florida. Jesse describes two panels he presented on, one on inspiring newer employee owners and another with Sargent Corp of Maine about EO podcasting. Jesse notes how employee ownership conferences have evolved in the last decade by including more forms of employee ownerships than just ESOPs and worker co-ops to include EOTs, ESOP acquisition and holding companies, and even private equity.  Jesse also applauds two inspiring quotes Jennifer Briggs made at the conference. Head to our website for the video, full transcript, and links to further information for this episode: https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/264-jesse-tyler-s-reflections-on-the-nceo-2024-annual-conference

Bret Keisling is joined by Brian Taussig-Lux, retired CEO of UnTours, which holds the distinction of being the first company to become a Certified B Corp, which means a business that meets high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials. Brian shares UnTours fascinating story, from its unique origins to its innovative business model centered on social and environmental responsibility. Founded by Hal Taussig in the 1970s, UnTours has never been employee owned, but very much shares the same vibe as successful EO businesses. Brian also describes the evolution of B Corp certification, the impact of Benefit Corporations on business practices, and the interconnectedness between employee ownership and Certified B Corps. For the video version of this episode, along with links to the topics mentioned and related podcasts, head to our website for this episode at https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/279-the-first-ever-certified-b-corp

From April 2023. To celebrate the NCEO's 2024 Annual Conference, Bret Keisling reshares an exciting announcement made at The National Center for Employee Ownership's Annual Conference last year by Loren Rodgers (NCEO) and Steve Storkan (EOX) about the formation of the NCEOX Initiative. This collaboration will combine the excellent messaging of the NCEO with the amazing messengers at Employee Ownership Expansion Network and their state employee ownership centers, which currently cover 70% of the US. At a time when EO is ascending in the US (and around the world), the NCEOX Initiative could drive a dramatic increase in ESOPs, worker co-ops, and employee ownership trusts (EOTs). The full transcript of this episode including a link to the NCEOX press release is available on our website at https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/mini-cast-263-icymi-the-nceox-initiative

Bret Keisling is joined by Daniel Goldstein, one of the leading voices in ESOPs and employee ownership today, who shares his insights on the transformative impact of ESOPs, fostering employee ownership, enhancing community welfare, and promoting business sustainability. Daniel addresses challenges faced by ESOPs, the significance of education and communication within organizations, and the role of employee ownership in addressing racial wealth disparities. Daniel emphasizes the importance of implementing EO across diverse industries and communities and its importance in rural areas for driving long-term employee wealth, business resilience, and economic stability. For more information, visit our website for this episode at https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/278-daniel-goldstein-from-esop-ceo-to-advocate

Bret Keisling celebrates Project Equity's 10th Anniversary [https://project-equity.org/].  On April 1, 2014, Hilary Abell and Alison Lingane began working part-time with a goal of scaling employee ownership.  In its first year, they created a feasibility study for different strategies to grow EO, created a worker coop academy pilot project with partners based out of Oakland, and articulated its initial organizational mission and values. Included in the Mini-cast is an excerpt from 2020 in which Alison Lingane briefly shares Project Equity's origin story. Today Project Equity operates primarily as a virtual organization of thirty team members. They have led the way with national partner collaborations, educated approximately 15,000 people about EO, and support 30-40 companies each year with technical assistance for their EO transition journeys. Congratulations and thank you to Project Equity's present and past team members. We have no doubt the best is yet to come. The video, full transcript, and show notes with links to previous Project Equity episodes are all available on our website for this episode at https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/mini-cast-262-celebrating-project-equity-s-10th-anniversary

Bret Keisling is joined by Maureen Conway, Aspen Institute Vice President and Executive Director of the Economic Opportunities Program, and Adria Scharf, Associate Director of the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing, who discuss their takeaways and reflections on the recent Employee Ownership Ideas Forum. The Employee Ownership Ideas Forum was presented by the Aspen Institute Economics Opportunities Program and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing on April 9-10, 2024, in Washington D.C. Further details and links are in our show notes on our website at https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/277-maureen-conway-and-adria-scharf-on-the-eo-ideas-forum

Bret Keisling is joined by Daniel Goldstein, retired president and CEO of Folience, Inc. [https://www.folience.com/], an ESOP holding company. Daniel was on a panel at this week’s Employee Ownership Ideas Forum in a session called "Hometown Ownership: The Impact of Employee Ownership in Rural Communities."  In this excerpt from an upcoming EsOp Podcast episode, Daniel discusses how ESOPs in rural areas provide economic opportunities, support multi-generational employment, and use innovative technology to upskill employees.  The Employee Ownership Ideas Forum was presented by the Aspen Institute and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing on April 9-10, 2024, in Washington D.C. Head to our website for the transcript and video for this episode, with links to all the resources mentioned: https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/mini-cast-261-daniel-goldstein-on-eo-and-rural-america

Bret Keisling shares EO A-ha Moments from five previous podcast guests who, besides sharing a passion for employee ownership, are all presenting or moderating at the 2024 Employee Ownership Ideas Forum, sponsored by the Aspen Institute and the Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing taking place this week in Washington DC.  In this episode, we share EO A-ha Moments from Maureen Conway (Aspen Institute), Adria Scharf (Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing), Corey Rosen (the National Center for Employee Ownership), Evan Edwards (Project Equity), and Jenny Levy (Hypertherm). Bret Keisling and Jesse Tyler have been collecting EO A-ha Moments from all of their guests on The EsOp Podcast and Owner to Owner podcast. It's not the first time they heard about employee ownership or thought they liked it, but rather the moment they realized that EO could be transformative to their jobs, lives, families, and companies. Links to the full interviews and more are available on our website at https://soundcloud.com/theesoppodcast/episode-276-eo-a-ha-moments-volume-vii

Bret Keisling wants to work with employee-owned companies to create more EO A-ha Moments for employee owners.  It’s that moment when someone realizes that EO can be transformative. Employee owners experience these moments in different ways: at EO conferences; interacting with other employee-owned companies; or when an employee owner recognizes that they actually have a voice at their company. Feeling valued, heard, and respected can have a dramatic effect on culture and profitability.   The most mentioned EO A-ha Moment among owners is when they received their annual statements and saw an increase in the company value and in their personal account.  The increase in value and improvements to culture don't happen in a vacuum. It takes mindfulness, repetition, and dedication to create a great EO workplace, which we know helps make EO companies more profitable and dramatically improve recruitment and retention. If you're not sure where to start, Bret Keisling can help. Head to our website to schedule a no obligation conversation about how he can help create EO A-ha Moments for your employee owners: https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/mini-cast-260-creating-eo-a-ha-moments-for-your-employee-owners The full transcript and video are also published on our website.

Bret Keisling shares a recent episode of the "Owner to Owner" podcast featuring Jesse Tyler and three great employee owners at 100% ESOP PC Construction, Kaitlyn Keenan, Sr. Job Cost Engineer, Brady Fox, LDP (Leadership Development Program) Engineer, and Mike Delia Jr., Staff Estimator. PC Construction is a 100% employee-owned construction firm providing integrated construction services through a full range of delivery methods. They excel at projects of all sizes – from a single office fit-up to water supply programs valued at over $300 million. Formed in 1958, PC created its Employee Stock Ownership Plan in 2002 and became 100% employee-owned 7 years later. Subscribe to the "Owner to Owner" podcast for more owner-centric content: https://www.ownertoownerpodcast.com/ Show notes for this episode are available on our website at https://www.theesoppodcast.com/post/275-jesse-tyler-and-pc-construction