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Episode 33: Bridging the Gap: Eric Rieger on Employee Ownership and Purpose-Driven Leadership

In this episode of The Freedom Experience, I sit down with Eric Rieger, Founder and CEO of WEBIT Services, to discuss his inspiring journey from making t-shirts to building a purpose-driven, employee-owned tech business. Eric opens up about the challenges of entrepreneurship, the lessons learned from early failures, and his commitment to addressing systemic issues like income inequality through innovative business practices.

Watch this conversation on YouTube. And SUBSCRIBE!

Key Themes:

  1. The Entrepreneurial Journey:

    Eric reflects on his unconventional path to becoming a business owner, starting with his father’s bold advice to "use your credit card and go for it." He shares how resilience, resourcefulness, and a people-first approach helped him navigate early struggles and create lasting success.

  2. Employee Ownership and Income Inequality:

    Discover how Eric’s decision to transition WEBIT Services to employee ownership aligns with his mission to tackle income inequality. He dives into the challenges of implementing an ESOP, why purpose-driven leadership is essential, and how businesses can balance profit with social impact.

  3. The Importance of Visionary Leadership:

    Eric explains the delicate balance between having big dreams and building systems that align your team around them. He shares how frameworks like EOS and open-book finance have helped him focus his visionary style while empowering his team to thrive.

  4. Mental Health and Self-Awareness:

    Vulnerability is strength. Eric shares his personal journey of transformation, including the importance of therapy in addressing trauma, maintaining self-awareness, and building a sustainable leadership style.

Quotes from the Episode:

  • “Freedom is being your authentic self and having the resources to take care of your basic needs. Once you have that, you can pursue love, belonging, and purpose.”

  • “Private equity is about making money make more money. Employee ownership is about helping people.”

  • “If you don’t know your values, someone will buy them. And that’s not a price I’m willing to pay.”

Links & Resources Mentioned:

Actionable Takeaways:

  • Reflect on your personal values and how they align with your business.

  • Explore frameworks like Metronomics, EOS, or Great Game of Business to enhance team alignment and transparency.

  • If you're a business owner or leader, consider how therapy or coaching can support your personal and professional growth.

If this episode resonated with you, please subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more insights on building a purpose-driven business, visit my website at jeanmoncrieff.com.