Empowered Owners

Kim Dinwiddie, EV's VP of Human Resources, returns to break down what's happening in the world of healthcare. Many companies are facing the highest cost increases in 15 years, and Kim explains why and what EV is doing to fight back. Instead of just accepting whatever healthcare "happens to us," EV has spent the past year finding partners and innovative tools to help employee owners get better care at lower costs. Kim introduces Optavise, a new healthcare advocate service launching in 2026, and shares tips for open enrollment season, explains why preventive care matters, and reveals how one employee owner saved $70 on a single prescription. This episode is essential listening for anyone who wants to start making informed decisions that benefit both their wallet and their wellbeing.Edited by Mateusz ZłakowskiShow notes and transcripts on our website at empowered.ventures. Questions? Comments? Leave us a message at (317) 643-2383.

EV CEO Chris Fredericks sits down with Casey Grisez, EV's finance and marketing associate, to decode the mystery behind ESOP share prices and valuations. With a background in business valuation, Casey covers the complex process of how companies get valued each year, including the income, market, and asset approaches that determine a share price. And while share price gets all the attention, Chris and Casey discuss that the benefit level (how many shares you accumulate) might matter more for long-term wealth building. The conversation then pivots to EV's ambitious 2030 share price goal and introduces the "ownership in action" framework—four practical ways every employee owner can impact their company's success through growth, innovation, service, and enjoyment.Edited by Mateusz ZłakowskiShow notes and transcripts on our website at empowered.ventures. Questions? Comments? Leave us a message at (317) 643-2383.

Dan McGowan is a modern-day Renaissance man: content manager at TVF, co-host of the Textile Nerd podcast, broadcaster, roller derby enthusiast, and employee owner. He joins us to answer how he transitioned from a career in broadcasting to the world of textiles, and why joining an ESOP company became a game-changer for his financial future. He shares what makes employee ownership culture so special and why transparency about financial outcomes creates the ultimate team mentality. And don't miss Dan's Indiana women's sports Mount Rushmore, featuring a WNBA legend still doing amazing things in the community and a roller derby champion you've probably never heard of.Edited by Mateusz ZłakowskiShow notes and transcripts on our website at empowered.ventures. Questions? Comments? Leave us a message at (317) 643-2383.

Employee ownership is at its best when everyone has a voice. And at EV, we love when we get a chance to hear directly from EVers.At this year’s Employee Ownership Summit, EVers from across our companies (except our newest business, Whitney Brothers) came together to share ideas, learn from each other, and strengthen the connections that make us unique. In this episode, Chris Fredericks sits down with Ian Kovach from Firstar Precision, Tim Barnett from Benoure Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, Erica Roudebush from TVF, and Tom Bawkey from Paramount Plastics. They share how the Summit reinforced the power of employee ownership and why having a seat at the table makes all the difference.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why learning from other companies matters: EVers gain fresh ideas by seeing how different teams approach ownership, engagement, and company culture.The power of storytelling: Learn why sharing experiences helps create a stronger culture and inspires growth across all EV companies.The value of having a voice: Find out how open discussions and collaboration at the summit reinforced the importance of every employee owner’s perspective.Giving back as a team: Listen to how a meaningful team-building activity made a lasting impression and highlighted EV’s commitment to community involvement.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction to Ian Kovach, Tim Barnett, Erica Roudebush & Tom Bawkey(02:56) Inside the Employee Ownership Summit(06:22) Team-building and the impact of giving back at the Summit(13:00) Best practices from other employee-owned companies(21:29) Personal growth, connection, and the power of shared purpose

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 company’s path to success.They discuss the transformative impact of employee ownership, the challenges of scaling a business, and the importance of staying true to your values during pivotal moments.In this episode, you’ll learn:Honoring a Family Legacy Through Growth: Brad reflects on the history of Benoure Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, sharing how his father’s legacy and the dedication of his brothers helped build the foundation for a thriving family business.The Role of Employee Ownership in Business Transitions: Brad emphasizes how Empowered Ventures’ employee ownership model provides his team with opportunities for financial growth, security, and a shared sense of purpose.Scaling a Business Without Losing Its Heart: From adding new employees to tackling large-scale multifamily projects, Brad explains how thoughtful leadership and teamwork allowed Benoure to grow while maintaining its core values and focus on quality.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction to Brad Benoure(02:30) Brad shares the origins of Benoure Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning, founded in 1966(04:08) How Brad and his brothers took over the business after their father’s retirement(07:01) Breaking into multifamily projects and scaling to 200–300 units per year(09:40) Brad shares stories of long-term staff and internal promotions(12:10) Brad’s search for the right partner and why he chose Empowered Ventures(15:27) The impact of selling to an employee-owned business and prioritizing employees’ futures(16:49) Announcing the sale: Brad’s nerves and the initial reactions from employees(18:09) Addressing fears of major changes post-sale and gradual improvements under Empowered Ventures(22:21) Preparing a strong business structure and leadership succession(23:54) Brad’s commitment to his family business legacy and staying involved in its success

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: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.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.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.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

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 insurance terms and created Healthcare Avatars that reflect their team's diverse needs. Emily and Kim also shared how listening to employees and fostering open conversations drive meaningful change.In this episode, you’ll learn:Reframing Healthcare Benefits as a Partnership: Emily and Kim share how Empowered Ventures redefines healthcare benefits through collaboration, making it a shared responsibility rather than an isolated decision.Understanding the Evolving Landscape of Insurance: Kim explains the shift from employer-covered benefits to employee-driven choices and how this impacts how people engage with healthcare.Simplifying the Complex World of Healthcare: Emily introduces “Healthcare for Us,” an initiative that demystifies insurance terms and creates tailored profiles to meet the diverse needs of employees.The Role of Employee Ownership in Shaping Culture: Emily and Kim highlight how the employee ownership model fosters open communication and empowers employees to take an active role in healthcare decisions.Building a Collaborative Future for Healthcare: The team discusses how leaning into healthcare challenges together can spark innovation, drive solutions, and create a culture of trust and support.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Introduction to Emily Bopp and Kim Dinwiddie(02:20) Emily and Kim’s one-word reactions to health insurance(03:27) Kim’s reflection on the evolution of healthcare benefits and employee perceptions(06:33) Emily discusses the shift from healthcare as a benefit to a necessary challenge(09:32) The Healthcare for Us initiative: creating personas to meet diverse employee needs(12:21) How Empowered Ventures listens to employees to guide healthcare changes(17:21) The cultural shift: building a collective mindset to "lean into healthcare together"(18:53) Advice from Emily and Kim on transforming challenges into opportunities through collaboration