Journey to an ESOP & Beyond

In this episode, the podcast interviews Steve Baker, Vice President of Great Game of Business, Inc. Steve gives insight into the importance of financial literacy in building a company’s value through a culture of accountability, the dignity of equity ownership, and the hope of a financially successful future. To join us at the Great Game of Business Conference in September, please follow the link below! 

Learn more about the Great ...

This episode uses the classic film, Indiana Jones, as our feature film. The podcast utilizes this retro film as an example of something that never goes out of style-just like business owners helping their employees! The question the podcast discusses is if an ESOP is the best option for your company and people? This is a common question on anyone’s journey to an ESOP. The podcast attempts to help listeners asses where they are in c...

On this podcast episode we reference the movie Kon Tiki, which documents the journey of a Norwegian scientist on a raft built with natural materials and proves the ancient peoples sailed to the Polynesia islands.  The trip took 4300 miles in ocean currents without a motor. The podcast uses the concept of “wind in the sails” to review the tax benefits that ESOP companies experience. 

Specifically, this episode dives into defining an ...

On this podcast episode, we interview Andy Hines - founder of Hines Pool and Spa from Austin, TX. Hines Pool and Spa is an excellent example of a successful approach to an ESOP transaction.  Andy shares his experience with researching ESOPs in relation to Private Equity.  Like many companies, Andy found that the ESOP was a better alternative for not just the company, but for himself and his family. Andy shares some of the lessons h...

As the podcast discussed at the beginning of the new season- we wanted to give a strong overview of the Third-Party Administrators (TPAs) role in the ESOP. On this episode, the podcast interviews Tom Roback with Blue Ridge. The episode looks at the trends in the ESOP community and the consolidation of TPA companies.  We look to answer what challenges with TPA firms are currently being experienced and how TPAs (particularly Blue Rid...

Power Rangers are an excellent example of strength in combining multiple superheroes on one team. On this episode we consider: What is your company worth?  What happens when we combine it with another then another? The value could significantly change for better multiples and for multiple reasons.  One of those would be a larger combined EBITDA with a reduction in redundant expenses.  Another could be the risk profile is reduced gi...

In this episode, we sit down with Kevin Birch, Regional Manager at CNA Surety, to explore best practices for contractor ESOPs. A key theme throughout our conversation is communication—and lots of it. One of the biggest mistakes a contractor can make is surprising their surety with news of an ESOP transaction. Kevin strongly recommends that contractors—whether general or specialty—get their surety agent and company involved early in...

The show “Band of Brothers” offers a perfect example of leadership from the character of Captain Sobel and provides examples of overcoming obstacles to establish a strong culture. Specifically, the show provides an example of an employee-centric culture: a culture that embodies a solid group of employees ultimately banding together.  This episode covers the 5 c’s of an employee-centric culture: Commitment; Care; Celebration; Commun...

In this episode the podcast discusses the recent uncertainty with the economy and how this effects the ESOP world. Considering this, the podcast interviews senior level banker Chris Cucci with Climate First Bank. Chris’ bank does financing for ESOP deals all over the United States, providing valuable perspective on ESOP financing credit decisions in light of the first quarter of 2025. While the future of recent economic events in u...

This episode provides the background on both Warrants and SARs in an ESOP transaction.  The typical usage of synthetic equity structured within a deal can create a solid win-win for the shareholders and the company.  Within the topic, the podcast uses the Nicolas Cage film “Knowing” as an example to explain how a warrant and SAR model help to predict the future just like so that we can create a lasting legacy for the company and a ...

On this podcast episode we interview Jason Ireland, President of Industrial Supply Company (ISCO), a distributor of manufacturing parts who went 100 percent ESOP last year. Jason explains the step by step process their 100-year-old company went through to transition to an ESOP process.  The company was part union and part non-union, providing some background for some companies dealing with that reality.  There is even a ghost in th...

In some cases an ESOP company can choose to sell to an outside buyer after they transition to an employee-owned company.  In this episode Greg Daugherty, Porter Wright and, I discuss the factors related to selling your company after it has become an employee-owned company.  Greg does a great job of discussing how this process works and what business owners should know as it relates to the board of directors, trustees and, support r...

Arguably one of the best James Bond 007 movies - “Casino Royale” - is it time to get some chips off the table?  This episode focuses on the motivations of why some companies look at doing a partial ESOP which is going to be accompanied by risk/reward decisions.  Not as risky as going all in and hoping for the high hand.  But a partial ESOP can still be the right strategy a lot of companies to determine if an ESOP works in both the ...