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 Game of Business Conference: https://www.greatgame.com/conference-2025

Learn more about Steve Baker: https://www.greatgame.com/about/our-team/steve-baker

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 company development of employee engagement.

In this podcast episode, ESOP attorney John Burgess returns to share what business owners should anticipate in the months following an ESOP transaction. From governance changes to employee communication and administrative next steps, Burgess offers practical insights to help new ESOP companies navigate the critical post-formation period with confidence.

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 S-Corporation ESOP, which means that either in part or in whole the ESOP-owned company has a permanent tax benefit given the income tax is exempt on both the state and federal level.

On this episode, we dig into a better understanding of the buy side team for an ESOP transaction. This would include the Trustee, Evaluation Firm, and their legal counsel. As you invite them into the ESOP deal, they are in a sense the enemy and there are certain aspects of working with them in this process that are important to understand so that you can be better prepared for your transaction and your journey to an ESOP.

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 Ridge) are looking to overcome those to provide a strong partnership with their clients. Tom does an excellent job walking through a a various list of topics - this should be a helpful podcast episode along your journey to an ESOP.

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 given larger geographic and higher diversification of revenue. Whether you sell to an ESOP or another buyer, through this podcast episode we discuss the multiple reasons to consider this approach.