Empowered Owners

byEmpowered Owners

BusinessCareersEducation

Creating connections is essential to building a community. It’s even more important when the people you’re trying to connect with aren’t in the same location. Businesses and companies have always found geographic distance to be a challenge to building a really great community-oriented culture. At Empowered Ventures, the same challenge holds true, which is why we decided to start Empowered Owners, the podcast that takes you inside Empowered Ventures. In each episode, CEO Chris Fredericks will have a discussion with one of our employees to discover and highlight their distinct personalities, perspectives, and skills while also keeping you in...

Episodes(40 episodes)

How Healthcare for Us is Evolving with EV’s Emily Bopp and Kim Dinwiddie

For many, healthcare is something best simply avoided. It’s complicated, confusing, and frustrating. But at Empowered Ventures, we believe there’s a better way. We launched Healthcare for Us in the fall of 2024 to help employee-owners take a more active role in their benefits. A few months later, it’s time for an update.In this episode, Chris Fredericks sits down with Emily Bopp, Chief of Staff to the CEO at EV, and Kim Dinwiddie, VP of Human Resources at EV, to discuss the challenges of getting employees to engage with the program, the surprising feedback they re...

Published: Feb 25, 2025Duration: 25m 1s

Prioritizing People in a Business Sale with Brad Benoure

Every business has a story. But only some businesses hold people at the heart of the story. For Brad Benoure, President of Benoure Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, the decision to join Empowered Ventures was deeply rooted in his commitment to the employees who helped build his family business.In this episode, host Chris Fredericks, CEO of Empowered Ventures, talks with Brad about the journey from a small family business founded in 1966 to becoming the latest operating company at EV. Brad shares how his father’s legacy, his brothers’ involvement, and the loyalty of a growing team shaped the...

Published: Feb 11, 2025Duration: 25m 55s

Acquisitions and Accountability with Firstar’s Luke Orszag

As the famous quote goes, “There are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen.”It’s been less than a year since Luke Orszag, President of Firstar Precision, appeared on Empowered Owners, but it’s been an eventful stretch. In this episode, host Chris Fredericks, CEO of Empowered Ventures, reconnects with Luke to discuss Firstar’s first acquisition, the importance of cultivating a culture of accountability, and how data is transforming the way machinists approach their work.They also talk about Firstar’s strategies for organic growth, the challenges of entering new industries like aerospa...

Published: Jan 28, 2025Duration: 20m 9s

Building Resilience Through Employee Ownership with Curtis Elliott

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 st...

Published: Jan 14, 2025Duration: 21m 30s

50 Years and Beyond at TVF with Tad Calahan

Change is hard. Especially when it’s brought about by new systems. For organizations in existence for a half century, change brings about a list of challenges and opportunities.In this episode, host Chris Fredericks, CEO of Empowered Ventures, reconnects with Tad Calahan, President of TVF, to explore how TVF has evolved after 50 successful years in business.They discuss TVF's recent CRM and ERP system implementations, the lessons learned along the way, and the importance of balancing innovation with honoring the company’s legacy. Tad shares how the team’s resilience and collaboration have driven progress while keepin...

Published: Dec 31, 2024Duration: 21m 4s

Let’s Chat: Leaning into Healthcare for Us with Emily Bopp and Kim Dinwiddie

Very few topics impact both our personal and professional lives. Healthcare is one of the few. Yet, for so many, it feels like a burden rather than a benefit.In this episode, host Chris Fredericks is joined by Emily Bopp, Chief of Staff at EV, and Kim Dinwiddie, VP of Human Resources at EV, to unpack the realities of healthcare today and how Empowered Ventures is tackling these challenges head-on. Chris, Emily, and Kim discuss the launch of “Healthcare for Us,” a collaborative initiative to transform how we approach healthcare benefits. They share how they navigate confusing insu...

Published: Dec 17, 2024Duration: 20m 51s

Navigating a Career Towards Meaning with Casey Grisez and Christine Webb

Purpose holds a unique meaning for each individual, and discovering it requires time for self-reflection and evaluating the alignment of your life.In this episode, Christine Webb and Casey Grisez share how they found purpose in unexpected places, leading them to Empowered Ventures. Host Chris Fredericks, CEO of Empowered Ventures, sits down with Christine and Casey to explore their unique paths to Empowered Ventures and the purpose-driven work they bring to the company. Together, they discuss what it means to find meaning in your career, the challenges of balancing personal purpose with professional...

Published: Dec 3, 2024Duration: 34m 28s

REPLAY: Leading a Learning Organization with Lori Atone

Have you ever wondered how employee ownership can drive a culture of continuous learning and innovation within a company?Yes? Good news. In this replay episode of Empowered Owners, Lori Atone, Learning and Development Director at TVF, shares about the importance of continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and the impact of learning and development in an employee-owned organization.In this episode, you’ll learn: The impact of learning and development in an employee-owned company.How to harness the power of strengths and continuous learning to drive pers...

Published: Nov 19, 2024Duration: 24m 7s

REPLAY: A Journey of Service: From Law Enforcement to Leading a Manufacturing Company with Curtis Elliott

Discovering what you are passionate about and making it a career is an incredible accomplishment. Some people are lucky enough to experience that feeling a few times in their careers.In this replay episode of Empowered Owners, Curtis Elliott, President at Paramount Plastics, discusses his career path, from his initial goal of joining law enforcement to unexpected opportunities in manufacturing. Curtis's "what's next?" attitude led him on a journey of personal and professional growth that ultimately shaped the successful leader he is today.In this episode, y...

Published: Nov 5, 2024Duration: 25m 12s

REPLAY: Customer Service Excellence: The Power of Individualized Management with Shannon Hayden

Switching careers can be quite an adventure, no matter how many times you've done it before. And when it comes to taking on a new role, especially in management, the challenge doubles. Suddenly, you're not just responsible for your daily tasks but also for building and nurturing relationships with your team. It's no easy feat, but it's a vital part of becoming a successful manager.Join us for an exciting replay episode of Empowered Owners, where we sit down with Shannon Hayden, Customer Support Manager at TVF. With over two decades of management experience...

Published: Oct 22, 2024Duration: 39m 28s

REPLAY: The Power of Perseverance: How Intentional Learning Can Lead to Success with Jack West

Embarking on a career path is a universal experience, where even the most seasoned professionals were once beginners. It's crucial to recognize that expertise is not acquired overnight. However, by implementing a few strategies, you can pave the way to success while taking those lessons into the future to help you become your best self.In this replay episode of Empowered Owners, Jack West, Vice President at Firstar Precision Corp., discusses his diverse career journey, including two years in the military, his humble start at a gas station, working his way to a machine...

Published: Oct 8, 2024Duration: 45m 11s

REPLAY: Unveiling the Power of Employee Ownership Culture with Blake Theademan

Employee ownership holds the power to revolutionize workplace culture, but it's not a task for just one person.It requires a collective effort to establish and sustain a positive team culture.In this replay episode of Empowered Owners, Blake Theademan, a Customer Service Specialist at TVF, discusses the power of empathy, the value of understanding strengths, and his journey at an employee-owned organization.In this episode, you’ll learn: How embracing a positive mindset can be a powerful tool in shaping our experiences at work. Mak...

Published: Sep 24, 2024Duration: 24m 30s

New Acquisition, Big Milestones, and What's Next

Welcome back to Season 3 of Empowered Owners!In this episode, Chris Fredericks, host and CEO of Empowered Ventures, discusses key milestones and achievements from the past year. He highlights the acquisition of Benoure Plumbing while also celebrating the ESOP’s success in surpassing a long-term goal ahead of schedule.Looking forward, Chris outlines new multi-year goals and improved processes for future growth. He also introduces new team members, Christine Webb and Casey Grisez, who will be featured in upcoming episodes.You won’t want to m...

Published: Sep 10, 2024Duration: 7m 0s

Let’s Chat: Exploring Your Account Value Pt. 2 with Chris and Emily

If part one left you wanting more, this one's for you!Have you wondered about business valuations? Or ever struggled to understand the mystery behind ESOP account values? Are you craving a clearer concept of what influences your account value and how to maximize it?In this episode, Chris Fredericks, CEO of Empowered Ventures, and Emily Bopp, Chief of Staff at Empowered Ventures, return with the second part of their discussion on the factors that affect ESOP account values.In this episode, you’ll learn: How...

Published: Apr 30, 2024Duration: 14m 11s

How Robert Hinsch's Curiosity and Connections Transformed TVF

Relationships and connections are important in your personal life and can have a positive impact on your professional life, too.In fact, nurturing meaningful connections often serves as the cornerstone for these successful ventures.In this episode of Empowered Owners, Robert Hinsch, Vice President at TVF, shares his journey of helping start the West Coast division of TVF, a story of humble beginnings, resourcefulness, and the power of strong relationships.In this episode, you’ll learn: How embracing curiosity allows us to deepen our...

Published: Apr 23, 2024Duration: 23m 55s

Let’s Chat: Exploring Your Account Value Pt. 1 with Chris and Emily

Every business model has nuances, and employee ownership is no exception. Have you ever wondered how shares are allocated and what influences their value, or how to understand the value in your ESOP account?In this episode, Chris Fredericks, CEO of Empowered Ventures, and Emily Bopp, Chief of Staff at Empowered Ventures, discuss the details of how shares are allocated, determining their value, and what a “benefit level” truly is.We want you to walk away feeling empowered as an employee and equipped with an un...

Published: Apr 16, 2024Duration: 14m 59s

Leading a Learning Organization with Lori Atone

Have you ever wondered how employee ownership can drive a culture of continuous learning and innovation within a company?Yes? Good news. In this episode of Empowered Owners, Lori Atone, Learning and Development Director at TVF, shares about the importance of continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and the impact of learning and development in an employee-owned organization.In this episode, you’ll learn: The impact of learning and development in an employee-owned company.How to harness the power of strengths and continuous learning to drive personal and...

Published: Apr 9, 2024Duration: 24m 7s

The Human Side of Business with Kim Dinwiddie

Working at Empowered Ventures is more than an average job. In fact, because of EV being an ESOP, you are a part owner with a stake in the success of the organization you work for.In this episode of Empowered Owners, Kim Dinwiddie, Vice President of Human Resources at Empowered Ventures, shares her journey of transformation, growth, and the powerful narrative of employee ownership.Kim explains the delicate dance of balancing compliance with compassion and how tailoring the HR approach to each unique environment w...

Published: Apr 2, 2024Duration: 32m 6s

Let’s Chat: Exploring the History of EV with Chris and Emily

While you likely have a solid understanding of Empowered Ventures and its history, chances are you haven’t heard some of the exciting details that went into crafting the family of businesses we know and love.In this episode, Chris Fredericks, CEO of Empowered Ventures, and Emily Bopp, Chief of Staff at Empowered Ventures, take a trip down memory lane to discuss how Empowered Ventures came to be.Whether you're a long-standing Employee Owner or a newcomer eager to dive into the world of ESOP, tune in to learn ab...

Published: Mar 26, 2024Duration: 27m 41s

Unveiling the Power of Employee Ownership Culture with Blake Theademan

Employee ownership holds the power to revolutionize workplace culture, but it's not a task for just one person. It requires a collective effort to establish and sustain a positive team culture.And in this episode of Empowered Owners, Blake Theademan, Customer Service Specialist at TVF, shares about the power of empathy, the value of understanding strengths, and his journey at an employee-owned organization.In this episode, you’ll learn: How embracing a positive mindset can be a powerful tool in shaping our experiences at work. Making a co...

Published: Mar 19, 2024Duration: 24m 30s