Tough times tend to bring out people’s true colors. The same goes for tough markets and companies, where some wither and others survive or thrive.

In this episode, host Chris Fredericks, CEO of Empowered Ventures, talks with Curtis Elliott, President of Paramount Plastics, to reflect on the company's journey through three years of employee ownership. Curtis shares how the transition to employee ownership has strengthened team culture, fostered innovation, and inspired a collaborative approach to problem-solving.Curtis and Chris discuss the challenges Paramount Plastics has faced during a downturn in the RV market and the creative strategies that have helped the company remain steady without layoffs. This conversation offers insights into the power of teamwork, the value of ownership, and how prioritizing people can create a lasting impact.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Transforming Company Culture Through Ownership: Curtis reflects on how Paramount Plastics’ transition to employee ownership has fostered collaboration, trust, and innovation, creating a stronger and more resilient team.
2. Navigating Market Challenges with Creativity: Curtis and his team have faced downturns in the RV market head-on, leveraging creative problem-solving and diversification to sustain operations without layoffs.
3. The Impact of Employee Buy-In: Curtis shares the journey of employees moving from skepticism to full engagement, showcasing how ownership can shift perspectives and inspire commitment across the organization.
4. Prioritizing People During Tough Times: Curtis emphasizes the importance of keeping employees supported and motivated, highlighting how this approach has strengthened their team’s dedication and drive.

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00 ) Introduction to Curtis Elliott
(00:29 ) Reflecting on three years of employee ownership at Paramount Plastics
(02:02 ) How the culture at Paramount has evolved under employee ownership
(03:08 ) The creative solutions employees are bringing to management challenges
(04:46 ) Curtis discusses avoiding layoffs during the RV market downturn
(05:30 ) Navigating challenges and diversifying to sustain operations
(12:32 ) Key innovations and problem-solving initiatives at Paramount
(16:24 ) Building a stronger leadership team and creating depth across roles
(19:11 ) Celebrating wins and fostering a unified, engaged team at Paramount
(20:16 ) Curtis reflects on growth, resilience, and preparing for future success