In this episode of The Steward Chair, Miren Oca, Founder and CEO of Ocaquatics Swim School, shares how she transformed a small backyard business into a certified B Corp and 100% employee-owned swim school. She explores how stewardship, employee ownership, and embedding social responsibility into business can redefine ROI and create ripple effects of impact.

We discuss her journey as an “accidental entrepreneur,” the importance of developing people through mentorship and leadership training, and the lessons she learned during COVID that shaped her approach to connection and resilience.

Key Takeaways

• Employee ownership fosters a culture of responsibility and pride.
• Mentorship programs can significantly impact young team members' lives.
• Measuring impact is as important as measuring profit.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://www.ocaquatics.com/
• Follow Miren on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/miren-oca-80561261/
• Follow Jackson Healthcare on social media at:
• • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ocaquatics-swim-school/
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ocaquatics/?hl=en

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does making tamales have to do with running a world-class movie studio?

In this inspiring conversation, host Jeff Bond sits down with Frank Patterson, President and CEO of Trilith Studios, a name synonymous with the booming film industry in Georgia. Trilith is now the largest production facility in Georgia and the largest purpose-built studio outside of Hollywood.

In this conversation, Jeff and Frank unlock the critical importance of leveraging your values to build a purpose-driven community and business.

Frank’s leadership journey is defined by connection, creativity, and conscious capitalism. He shares how early influences shaped his philosophy of stewardship, the incredible story behind Trilith's intentional "placemaking," and discusses the future of AI as a tool for human flourishing.

This conversation is for every business leader who knows that true competitive advantage isn’t just about what you do, but how you do it.

Key Takeaways

• Stewardship Through Connection: How Frank’s Uncle Oscar used tamales to connect his community, providing a foundational lesson on leadership.
• The Power of Empowerment: Why great leaders must be fans of their team's talent and create an environment that empowers them to execute on their ideas.
• Building with Purpose: The vision behind Trilith to create a "place,” not just a facility, that cares for the well-being of the creative community.
• An Optimistic View of AI: Why Frank believes AI and other emerging technologies are powerful tools that will enhance, not replace, genuine human creativity and connection.
• The Leader as a "Rung on the Ladder": A powerful perspective on a leader's obligation to lift up the next generation.

Resources Mentioned

• Learn more about Trilith https://www.trilith.com/
• Trilith was designed by Lew Oliver. Learn more here: https://www.lewoliverinc.com/

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn @ChatWithLeaders.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com and eotlproductions.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Steward Chair, Curtis Hite, Chairman and CEO, Improving, discusses the essence of stewardship in leadership, emphasizing the importance of a people-first approach and the responsibility leaders have towards their teams and stakeholders. He shares insights on building a strong company culture, navigating global expansion, and the significance of values-driven leadership.

We discuss the weight of stewardship as a responsibility to help others flourish, the power of listening to employees to build trust, and how a values-driven approach can be a strategic advantage — providing actionable takeaways for leaders committed to stewardship, integrity, and impact.

Key Takeaways

• Stewardship is a heavy responsibility focused on others' flourishing.
• Listening to employees is key to building trust and engagement.
• A values-driven approach can be a strategic advantage in business.

Resources Mentioned

• Visit https://www.improving.com/
• Follow Curtis on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/curtis-hite-a7b228/
• Follow Improving on social media at:
• • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/improving-enterprises/

Join the Conversation
The Steward Chair is about equipping and inspiring business leaders to build organizations that stand the test of time. If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag us on LinkedIn:

Chat With Leaders Media https://www.linkedin.com/company/chatwithleaders/ and End of the Line Productions https://www.linkedin.com/company/end-of-the-line-productions/.

Elevate your podcast, company meeting, or industry event strategies to better engage stakeholders and drive meaningful growth! Visit ChatWithLeaders.com to learn more about how we can help.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.