Shared Success: The Employee Ownership Podcast

On today’s episode, Marie Davis sits down with Miren Oca, Founder and Director of Ocaquatics Swim School, a nationally recognized, employee-owned business that teaches over 6,500 swim lessons a week.   In this episode, you’ll hear Miren’s incredible journey from aspiring orthopedic surgeon to mission-driven entrepreneur, the cultural groundwork her team laid long before becoming employee-owned, and the ripple effects of that transition — including her nonprofit, Ripples of Impact.   If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a business where people love to work and ownership is shared, this conversation will show you that you can do this too.   RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE Visit https://www.ocaquatics.com/  Visit https://www.ripplesofimpact.org/ Learn more about Employee Ownership at https://www.gaceo.org/    CREDITS Stock Music provided by ikoliks / Pond5 Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today’s episode, Marie Davis sits down with Brennan McGoldrick, Business Broker & Owner at Scout Brokerage. Brennan is an accomplished business broker and business owner who has grown from being a practicing veterinarian to owning and building multiple practices and helping others buy, build, and sell businesses. Brennan and Marie discuss Brennan's unique journey from veterinary medicine to business brokerage, the importance of employee ownership and succession planning, and what inspired him to create a more values-driven model in the mergers and acquisitions space. This conversation highlights the cultural significance of employee ownership and offers valuable insights for business owners considering their exit strategies.   RESOURCES RELATED TO THIS EPISODE Visit https://www.scoutbusiness.com/ Follow Brennan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennanmcgoldrick/  Learn more about the Georgia Center for Employe Ownership at gaceo.org    CREDITS Stock Music provided by ikoliks / Pond5 Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This special episode of Shared Success: The Employee Ownership Podcast was recorded live at the Empowering Employee Ownership event hosted by the University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center at the Delta Innovation Hub in Athens, GA. In this episode, host Marie Davis sits down with local and statewide leaders who are advancing the cause of employee ownership. From SBA-backed financing strategies to real stories of transitioning to employee-owned models, this conversation highlights how businesses of all types and sizes can explore ownership succession through cooperative and employee-owned models. Whether you're a business owner, advisor, or advocate, these insights shed light on what's possible — and how to take the next step. Featured Guests Melanie Bryant, Lender Relations Specialist, Small Business Administration (SBA) Jennell Taylor, Access to Capital Specialist, SBA Shea Smith, CFO, Sheridan Construction Robert Isherwood, CEO, Amback International Michelle Griffith, Chief Financial Officer, JOMA Construction Mackenzie Gallagher, CMO, JOMA Construction Judith Winfrey, Co-Founder, Love is Love Cooperative Farm Matthew Epperson, Local Outreach Coordinator, Georgia Center for Employee Ownership Resources Related to This Episode U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) JOMA Construction Amback International Love is Love Cooperative Farm Sheridan Construction Georgia Center for Employee Ownership (GACEO)   CREDITS Stock Music provided by ikoliks / Pond5 Produced by ChatWithLeadersMedia.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shared Success: The Employee Ownership Podcast” shares real stories of business owners and communities coming together to build stronger futures through shared ownership. Hosted by Marie Davis of the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership, each episode explores how local businesses are navigating succession planning, empowering employees, and preserving legacies that matter. Season 1 highlights the vibrant community of Athens-Clarke County, where business leaders are discovering new ways to keep their companies thriving for the next generation and beyond. If you believe businesses can be a force for good, join us for inspiring conversations about ownership, opportunity, and community-driven success. Learn more about the Georgia Center for Employee Ownership at https://www.gaceo.org/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.