Event Header
    November 05, 2024 By Small Giants Community

    Growing with Purpose Podcast: ESOPs and Integrity with Bill Roark

    Share:
    Subscribe to the Growing with Purpose Podcast and never miss an episode. 

     

    Bill Roark Podcast Banner

     

    On this episode of the Growing with Purpose podcast, host Paul Spiegelman sits down with Bill Roark, co-founder of Torch Technologies, Inc., as well as the founder of Starfish Holdings, Inc. and Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC. He is also the author of Built with Purpose

    Bill grew up in the mountains of Southeastern Kentucky, in a small community where people looked out for one another. From a young age, he learned the importance of a strong work ethic and treating people with kindness and respect. By the time he had gained some defense work experience and started Torch Technologies, he knew that if he took care of his employees, they would in turn take care of the company and their customers.

    With this employee-focused mindset, as well as his desire to create a long-term, sustainable company, it felt like the natural decision for Bill to turn Torch into an ESOP right away. And that has proved to be a crucial component of the company’s cooperative culture, especially in a competitive contracting industry.

    Listen to this episode to hear about Bill’s passion for employee ownership, why he emphasizes integrity in his companies’ cultures, and the very important lesson that carpet samples taught him. 

     

    Show Notes:

    • 7:20 - What is a defense contracting business?
    • 10:27 - Employee-focused napkin manifesto
    • 15:50 - “The mountain people are good people”
    • 21:40 - Life lessons from carpet samples
    • 32:10 - Define your principles

     

     

    Book that Inspired Bill:
    A Stake in the Outcome by Jack Stack and Bo Burlingham

     

    Listen to Bill's story below:

    About Author

    Small Giants Community

    Our Purpose is to identify, connect and develop purpose-driven leaders. The Small Giants Community is a designated L3C organization, a hybrid between a for-profit and a nonprofit entity that prioritizes mission and social purpose. Passionate, purposeful business leaders from around the world come to us to train and develop future leaders in their organizations, connect with like-hearted peers, and learn how to run a values-driven business. Whether you’re a budding leader who wants to grow or a founder/CEO looking for new business best friends, there’s a place for you here.

    Submit Your Comment

    Subscribe our newsletter to get
    latest news & updates

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit