Creating Shared Success: Inside the Ohio Employee Ownership Center with Chris Cooper S2 (EP 14)
Release Date: 11/11/2025
Democratising Value: BizEquity, EMG and the Future of Founders with Michael Carter S2 (EP16)
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with Michael Carter — serial entrepreneur, venture investor and founder of BizEquity, and now founder & CEO of Entrepreneurs Management Group (). Michael has built platforms used by hundreds of thousands of businesses, created large shareholder value, and now aims to democratise entrepreneurship with an AI-driven roadmap and founders’ co-pilot. Mark and Michael discuss: BizEquity origin — why business valuation needed democratising and the early insight that launched BizEquity. Democratisation — making...
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From Private Equity to Pickles: The Entrepreneurial Leap with Pat Viancourt S2 (EP 15)
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with food industry executive and entrepreneur Pat Viancourt, owner and CEO of Herman Pickle Company in Garrettsville, Ohio. With decades of leadership experience across Seagram, Nestlé Waters, Hospitality Mints, Paragon Foods, and multiple private-equity-backed businesses, Pat shares how he went from corporate CPG and private equity to owning a family-built pickle company with both beloved legacy brands and major national partnerships. For listeners thinking about buying a business, exiting corporate life, or scaling a...
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Creating Shared Success: Inside the Ohio Employee Ownership Center with Chris Cooper S2 (EP 14)
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with Chris Cooper, Director of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) at Kent State University. For over 25 years, Chris has helped business owners across Ohio explore the power of employee ownership — guiding them through successful transitions, building strong ownership cultures, and creating legacies that last. Mark and Chris discuss: The OEOC Mission – How the Ohio Employee Ownership Center helps business owners transition their companies to employee ownership. The Human Impact – Real stories of employees who...
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What is the “Fredo” effect- and how might it impact your Family Business? S2 (EP13)
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, Host Mark Dorman sits down with Professor Kimberly Eddleston of Northeastern University and Cornell University’s Smith Family Business Initiative. Professor Edelston is one of the world’s leading scholars in family business and entrepreneurship—ranked among the top 2% of scientists by Stanford University and recognized by Family Capital as one of the world’s Top 25 Family Enterprise Academics. Mark and Kim discuss: The Fredo Effect – What it means, how it appears in real family businesses, and why it’s so hard to talk about. Family...
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Community over Competition-Inside the NTMA Movement With Roger Atkins (EP 12) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with Roger Atkins, President of the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA). Roger shares his remarkable journey—from sweeping floors in his father’s Houston machine shop to leading a national organisation of over 1,000 small and medium-sized manufacturers. Mark and Roger discuss:: Manufacturing Roots: Growing up in the shop, discovering purpose, and falling in love with the craft. Resilience in Business: Navigating oil downturns, 9/11, and economic uncertainty while keeping businesses alive. Community...
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Part 2 - The use of Employee Ownership Trusts (EOT’s) in Business Succession Planning With Corey Rosen (EP 11) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman welcomes back Corey Rosen, founder of the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO), for Part 2 of their conversation on alternative ownership structures—specifically, the Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). Following their earlier discussion on Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs), Mark and Corey explore how EOTs differ, their origins, and why some business owners may choose them over ESOPs. They cover the practical, cultural, and philosophical factors driving this emerging succession strategy in the U.S. Mark and Corey discuss: ...
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Part 1- The benefits of Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP’s) as a Business Transition Alternative with Corey Rosen (EP 10) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of Finish Big the Podcast, Host Mark Dorman is joined by Corey Rosen, founder of the National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO) and one of the world’s leading experts on employee ownership. Corey shares his decades-long journey—from drafting the original ESOP legislation on Capitol Hill to helping thousands of business owners implement employee stock ownership plans. He and Mark explore the massive impact ESOPs can have on succession, company culture, employee wealth, and long-term legacy. Mark and Corey discuss: From Policy to Practice: How Corey transitioned from...
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Just Keep Punching: Real Talk on Business Resilience With Sigi Loya (EP 9) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, Host Mark Dorman is joined by Sigi Loya—an entrepreneur with a remarkably diverse background spanning corporate America, real estate finance, healthcare entrepreneurship, and business coaching. Sigi Loya shares his evolution from a corporate employee benefits expert to founding multiple businesses, including a holistic medical practice and TAB Pittsburgh, a peer-to-peer advisory board franchise. He also discusses launching Affordable Business Valuations with his son to empower business owners with accurate and actionable insights into their...
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From Consulting to Crafting Wine: Life After Business Exit with Brian Zawada (EP 8) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with Brian Zawada—a seasoned business continuity and operational resilience expert, entrepreneur, author, and now boutique winemaker. Brian shares his incredible journey from serving as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force to co-founding Evolution Consulting, scaling the business, and navigating a successful private equity-backed exit. Today, he’s living a new chapter as the co-founder of Violet Vines, crafting exceptional Oregon wines. This episode is packed with insights on risk management, leadership,...
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How to Leverage Exit Planning for Business and Personal Freedom with Renee Russo (EP 7) S2
Finish Big 2.0 w/ Mark Dorman
In this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, Host Mark Dorman interviews Renee Russo, a dynamic CEO, coach, exit planner, and speaker from Melbourne, Australia, now based in Vancouver, Canada. Rene shares her journey from corporate accounting at KPMG to becoming a sought-after business coach and exit planner. She dives into how her personal challenges and professional pivots led her to develop an innovative approach to business freedom and growth. Renee's story highlights resilience, transformation, and the power of leveraging proven processes to turn chaos into clarity. She is passionate about...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Finish Big Podcast, host Mark Dorman sits down with Chris Cooper, Director of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) at Kent State University.
For over 25 years, Chris has helped business owners across Ohio explore the power of employee ownership — guiding them through successful transitions, building strong ownership cultures, and creating legacies that last.
Mark and Chris discuss:
The OEOC Mission – How the Ohio Employee Ownership Center helps business owners transition their companies to employee ownership.
The Human Impact – Real stories of employees who built life-changing wealth through ownership.
ESOP Advantages – Why employee ownership creates win-win outcomes for owners, workers, and communities.
Succession & Legacy – How founders can exit while preserving culture and jobs.
EOT vs ESOP – The differences between Employee Ownership Trusts and ESOPs, and when each fits best.
Collaboration & Support – How the OEOC partners with advisors, foundations, and business owners to make transitions possible.
Success Story – A Cleveland company that became 100% employee-owned, creating over 200 new owners.
The Future – Why Ohio leads the way in employee ownership and what it means for the next generation of business owners.
Connect with Mark Dorman:
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(330)-416-9271
About the Guest:
Chris Cooper is the Director of the Ohio Employee Ownership Center (OEOC) at Kent State University.
With over two decades of experience, Chris has worked with hundreds of business owners to explore employee ownership as a succession solution. He leads programs focused on succession planning, ownership culture, and employee-owned startups, and coordinates Ohio’s Employee-Owned Network, which includes more than 100 companies.
Chris has spoken at national and international conferences across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Bermuda, and is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) through the Exit Planning Institute. His work bridges research, education, and real-world impact—helping business owners finish strong while keeping their companies and communities thriving.