Miren Oca, the founder of Ocaquatics Swim School, a successful swim school business she started at 22 years old after becoming pregnant in college. Miren shares her inspiring journey from teaching swimming lessons to building a business with 165 employees, 5 locations, and 6,500 weekly swimming lessons.
She discusses her focus on environmental and social responsibility, becoming a certified B Corporation, and the unique exit strategy she implemented using an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT), ensuring her business’s legacy and continuing benefits for her employees.
Miren explains the challenges and successes in setting up the EOT, why it was the best choice for preserving her company’s values, and the profound satisfaction she has experienced through this exit route.
2:10 Miren Oka Shares the Vision Behind Her Employee Trust
3:01 Starting a Business at Just 19 Years Old
5:02 How Books Helped Miren Become an Entrepreneur
5:47 Miren’s Passion for Life-Saving, Purpose-Driven Work
6:20 The Journey to Building an Indoor Pool
6:57 Teaching 6,500 Swimming Lessons Every Week
7:34 Prioritizing Team Growth, Happiness, and Stability
11:08 Employees Returning as Co-Owners
12:41 Exploring Different Employee Ownership Models
14:30 Discovering the Employee Ownership Trust Structure
15:01 How Co-Owners Earn Their Shares Through Time
16:57 Why She Chose Seller Financing for the Transition
18:01 Teaching Employees to Think Like Owners
19:15 Building a True Culture of Ownership
20:38 The Joy of Transitioning to Employee Ownership
21:59 Why Young Team Members Matter So Much
23:41 The Big Benefits of Seller Financing
24:29 Other Options for Transitioning a Business
25:39 Creating an Inspiring Legacy for Future Generations
