Episode 45: Building a Thriving Business by Filtering Decisions Through Purpose with Matt Hoying

Matt’s journey started in 2004 as a summer intern. Today, he leads an 80-person civil engineering firm ranked among the Top 5 Best Firms to Work For in the nation—not by accident, but through a deliberate approach to leadership, decision-making, and ownership.

We dive into the unique decision-making filter that guides every major move at Choice One, their employee ownership model, and how they’ve built a company that grows for opportunity—not just for the sake of growth. Matt shares how Choice One’s flat structure, intentional hiring, and commitment to culture have created a business that isn’t just successful but one that employees are proud to be part of.

If you’ve ever wondered how to create a thriving business without chasing growth for growth’s sake, this episode is for you.

🎥 Watch this conversation on YouTube. And SUBSCRIBE!

Key Themes:

🔹 Decision-Making That Aligns with Purpose
Matt shares how Choice One runs every major decision through a structured filter—ensuring alignment with their core purpose, vision, and values before taking action.

🔹 The Difference Between Growth for Opportunity vs. Growth for Growth’s Sake
Matt explains why blindly chasing revenue targets is a trap, and how Choice One has built a strategy around opportunity-driven growth instead.

🔹 An Ownership Model That Engages Employees
Instead of a traditional ESOP, Choice One developed a custom ownership structure that gives employees a real stake in the company—without diluting leadership clarity.

🔹 Clarity, Culture, and Long-Term Thinking
From monthly all-hands meetings to a 10-year vision, Matt discusses how transparency and intentional strategy drive sustained success.

🔹 Building a Business That Lasts for Generations
Choice One isn’t looking for an exit—it’s building an evergreen company that will outlast its current leadership while staying true to its core values.

Quotes from the Episode:

💬 "We don’t grow just because we feel like we have to. We grow because an opportunity aligns with our purpose."
💬 "Ownership shouldn’t be something you’re handed—it should be something you choose to invest in."
💬 "The best leadership isn’t about pulling people toward your vision, but guiding a group toward a shared vision."
💬 "Success isn’t about revenue goals—it’s about building a business people love working for."

Links & Resources Mentioned:

🌍 Choice One Engineering: https://choiceoneengineering.com/
🔗 Connect with Matt Hoying on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthoying/

Actionable Takeaways:

✅ Run decisions through a filter—define your purpose, vision, and values to guide growth.
✅ Be intentional about hiring—culture-fit matters more than speed when building a team.
✅ Design ownership structures that align with your business—don’t assume ESOPs are the only option.
✅ Plan for the long term—think in 10-year cycles, not just quarterly results.
✅ Create a business that serves people—employees, customers, and the community.

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For more insights on building a thriving, intentional business, visit www.jeanmoncrieff.com.

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