app01 Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:27:20 +0000 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) The Owner's Box @WashU Olin - Episodes Tagged with “Business” https://theownersboxpodcast.fireside.fm/tags/business Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0600 Though a lot of our national attention goes to big publicly traded firms, 87% of companies that earn more than 100 million dollars a year in revenue are privately held—by their founders, families, partnership groups, or even their employees. Instead of answering to a range of distant shareholders, they’re setting their own course…for better or worse. We find that there are as many ways to run a business as there are people who decide to do it. What makes private ownership so interesting is that each choice an owner makes has a ripple effect on their family, employees, and community. Each owner’s story is simultaneously a snapshot of one individual and a piece of the giant mosaic that is our economy. Understanding them helps us understand the world we live in, no matter where we sit. en-us episodic Human stories and research insights that illuminate the business ownership journey Dr. Peter Boumgarden Though a lot of our national attention goes to big publicly traded firms, 87% of companies that earn more than 100 million dollars a year in revenue are privately held—by their founders, families, partnership groups, or even their employees. Instead of answering to a range of distant shareholders, they’re setting their own course…for better or worse. We find that there are as many ways to run a business as there are people who decide to do it. What makes private ownership so interesting is that each choice an owner makes has a ripple effect on their family, employees, and community. Each owner’s story is simultaneously a snapshot of one individual and a piece of the giant mosaic that is our economy. Understanding them helps us understand the world we live in, no matter where we sit. no ownership, business, work Dr. Peter Boumgarden boumgardenp@wustl.edu Tactic's from the Owner's Box: Sustaining a Mission-Driven Media Company https://theownersboxpodcast.fireside.fm/17 cc304c9a-de3d-402f-b59c-da891d521bce Thu, 19 Feb 2026 11:00:00 -0600 Dr. Peter Boumgarden bonus 3 Dr. Peter Boumgarden The Washington Post just announced it was laying off 30% of its workforce. 300 newsroom journalists told to put down their pens, entire sections gutted. How did we get here? What does it take to sustain a mission-driven media company? At the Owner's Box, we are interested in how ownership shapes a company's behavior and nowhere is that more interesting than in an industry with a mission to provide a public good. 8:13 no <p>The Washington Post just announced it was laying off 30% of its workforce. 300 newsroom journalists told to put down their pens, entire sections gutted. How did we get here? What does it take to sustain a mission-driven media company? At the Owner's Box, we are interested in how ownership shapes a company's behavior and nowhere is that more interesting than in an industry with a mission to provide a public good. </p> The Washington Post, The New York Times, Media, Mission, Business, Family Business, Jeff Bezos, Thomas Jefferson, Morgan Stanley, News The Washington Post just announced it was laying off 30% of its workforce. 300 newsroom journalists told to put down their pens, entire sections gutted. How did we get here? What does it take to sustain a mission-driven media company? At the Owner's Box, we are interested in how ownership shapes a company's behavior and nowhere is that more interesting than in an industry with a mission to provide a public good.

]]> The Washington Post just announced it was laying off 30% of its workforce. 300 newsroom journalists told to put down their pens, entire sections gutted. How did we get here? What does it take to sustain a mission-driven media company? At the Owner's Box, we are interested in how ownership shapes a company's behavior and nowhere is that more interesting than in an industry with a mission to provide a public good.

]]> S3: E4: New Growth from Deep Roots with Tad & Ben Edwards https://theownersboxpodcast.fireside.fm/15 fb03f281-bf13-472c-8485-3852ac39f228 Tue, 23 Dec 2025 10:15:00 -0600 Dr. Peter Boumgarden full 3 Dr. Peter Boumgarden Today’s guests are a father-son duo who have been on a fascinating journey of growing up with the family business, exiting that chapter, and deciding to start a new one. Tad Edwards was part of a multi-generational family business in the financial services industry, A.G. Edwards, that was ultimately acquired by Wachovia and then Wells Fargo. Tad took the pen on the next chapter of the family legacy by starting the firm Benjamin F. Edwards, and is now joined in the business by his son, Ben. On today’s episode, New Growth from Deep Roots with Tad and Ben Edwards of Benjamin F. Edwards. 43:00 no <p>Today’s guests are a father-son duo who have been on a fascinating journey of growing up with the family business, exiting that chapter, and deciding to start a new one. Tad Edwards was part of a multi-generational family business in the financial services industry, A.G. Edwards, that was ultimately acquired by Wachovia and then Wells Fargo. Tad took the pen on the next chapter of the family legacy by starting the firm Benjamin F. Edwards, and is now joined in the business by his son, Ben. On today’s episode, New Growth from Deep Roots with Tad and Ben Edwards of Benjamin F. Edwards. Special Guests: Benjamin (Ben) F. Edwards V and Tad Edwards.</p> family business, financial services, st. louis, father, son, A. G. Edwards, public, private, business, brokerage firm Today’s guests are a father-son duo who have been on a fascinating journey of growing up with the family business, exiting that chapter, and deciding to start a new one. Tad Edwards was part of a multi-generational family business in the financial services industry, A.G. Edwards, that was ultimately acquired by Wachovia and then Wells Fargo. Tad took the pen on the next chapter of the family legacy by starting the firm Benjamin F. Edwards, and is now joined in the business by his son, Ben. On today’s episode, New Growth from Deep Roots with Tad and Ben Edwards of Benjamin F. Edwards.

Special Guests: Benjamin (Ben) F. Edwards V and Tad Edwards.

]]> Today’s guests are a father-son duo who have been on a fascinating journey of growing up with the family business, exiting that chapter, and deciding to start a new one. Tad Edwards was part of a multi-generational family business in the financial services industry, A.G. Edwards, that was ultimately acquired by Wachovia and then Wells Fargo. Tad took the pen on the next chapter of the family legacy by starting the firm Benjamin F. Edwards, and is now joined in the business by his son, Ben. On today’s episode, New Growth from Deep Roots with Tad and Ben Edwards of Benjamin F. Edwards.

Special Guests: Benjamin (Ben) F. Edwards V and Tad Edwards.

]]> S3: E2: Business as a Mechanism of Change with Hatch Africa's Dave Ellis. https://theownersboxpodcast.fireside.fm/11 d27b17f7-4b4a-4f3d-819e-f6cbd6b8f707 Fri, 24 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0500 Dr. Peter Boumgarden full 3 Dr. Peter Boumgarden Straight out of college, today's guest wanted to make an impact on the African continent. For him, the best way to do this was through policy or the work of a nonprofit. But early into that work, it was the pull of business and its potential to drive social value that pulled him in. Today's guest, David Ellis, is the founder and CEO of Hatch Africa, a company seeking to bring a new business model to sub-Saharan Africa to, in their words, bring eggs and chickens to every household. 37:49 no <p>Straight out of college, today's guest wanted to make an impact on the African continent. For him, the best way to do this was through policy or the work of a nonprofit. But early into that work, it was the pull of business and its potential to drive social value that pulled him in. Today's guest, David Ellis, is the founder and CEO of Hatch Africa, a company seeking to bring a new business model to sub-Saharan Africa to, in their words, bring eggs and chickens to every household. Special Guest: David Ellis.</p> social impact, Africa, Eggs, Business, Nonprofit, NGO, impact investment, purpose, chickens Straight out of college, today's guest wanted to make an impact on the African continent. For him, the best way to do this was through policy or the work of a nonprofit. But early into that work, it was the pull of business and its potential to drive social value that pulled him in. Today's guest, David Ellis, is the founder and CEO of Hatch Africa, a company seeking to bring a new business model to sub-Saharan Africa to, in their words, bring eggs and chickens to every household.

Special Guest: David Ellis.

]]> Straight out of college, today's guest wanted to make an impact on the African continent. For him, the best way to do this was through policy or the work of a nonprofit. But early into that work, it was the pull of business and its potential to drive social value that pulled him in. Today's guest, David Ellis, is the founder and CEO of Hatch Africa, a company seeking to bring a new business model to sub-Saharan Africa to, in their words, bring eggs and chickens to every household.

Special Guest: David Ellis.

]]> Tactics from the Owner's Box: A Cabin in the Woods https://theownersboxpodcast.fireside.fm/mini21 32ea0695-d9a5-47f2-b4b2-0447eea2e9c1 Tue, 03 Dec 2024 04:00:00 -0600 Dr. Peter Boumgarden full 2 Dr. Peter Boumgarden A few weeks back, Peter Grant from the Wall Street Journal reached out with a question. How do families with real estate approach this investment differently than a fund? For Grant, the Wall Street Journal commercial real estate writer, his focus was on commercial real estate in New York. He had started to note something unusual in this space -- those families who had long committed to never sell were doing... just in fact that. 7:17 no <p>A few weeks back, Peter Grant from the Wall Street Journal reached out with a question. How do families with real estate approach this investment differently than a fund? For Grant, the Wall Street Journal commercial real estate writer, his focus was on commercial real estate in New York. He had started to note something unusual in this space -- those families who had long committed to never sell were doing... just in fact that. Special Guest: Susan Fitzpatrick.</p> real estate, family, business, cottage, Wall Street Journal A few weeks back, Peter Grant from the Wall Street Journal reached out with a question. How do families with real estate approach this investment differently than a fund? For Grant, the Wall Street Journal commercial real estate writer, his focus was on commercial real estate in New York. He had started to note something unusual in this space -- those families who had long committed to never sell were doing... just in fact that.

Special Guest: Susan Fitzpatrick.

]]> A few weeks back, Peter Grant from the Wall Street Journal reached out with a question. How do families with real estate approach this investment differently than a fund? For Grant, the Wall Street Journal commercial real estate writer, his focus was on commercial real estate in New York. He had started to note something unusual in this space -- those families who had long committed to never sell were doing... just in fact that.

Special Guest: Susan Fitzpatrick.

]]> S2:E1: Main Street's Tidal Wave of Ownership Transition https://theownersboxpodcast.fireside.fm/2-1 abb81f2d-95a1-4f27-976d-46f84e9b003d Tue, 19 Nov 2024 04:00:00 -0600 Dr. Peter Boumgarden full 1 Dr. Peter Boumgarden In the first episode of our second season of The Owner's Box -- we look at transitions of business ownership. What shifts as ownership changes hands, and how should policymakers navigate the so-called silver tsunami of baby boomers transitioning their businesses in one way or another. 37:59 no <p>In 2024, Peter Boumgarden had the opportunity to lead a group of researchers and commissioners in a shared venture between Washington University in St. Louis and the Brookings Institution looking at the shifts of ownership for privately held firms. Because of the amount of these that are owned by baby boomers, it is often called a kind of silver tsunami. Today, you are going to hear pieces of that story from a few members of the team. </p> Olin Business School, Brookings Institution, Enova, Edward Jones, US Bank, In 2024, Peter Boumgarden had the opportunity to lead a group of researchers and commissioners in a shared venture between Washington University in St. Louis and the Brookings Institution looking at the shifts of ownership for privately held firms. Because of the amount of these that are owned by baby boomers, it is often called a kind of silver tsunami. Today, you are going to hear pieces of that story from a few members of the team.

]]> In 2024, Peter Boumgarden had the opportunity to lead a group of researchers and commissioners in a shared venture between Washington University in St. Louis and the Brookings Institution looking at the shifts of ownership for privately held firms. Because of the amount of these that are owned by baby boomers, it is often called a kind of silver tsunami. Today, you are going to hear pieces of that story from a few members of the team.

]]> Tactics from the Owner's Box: The Discipline of Long-Run Ownership https://theownersboxpodcast.fireside.fm/mini5 6ff5eb14-56e0-4fd9-b954-1113e259f346 Fri, 09 Aug 2024 16:00:00 -0500 Dr. Peter Boumgarden full 1 Dr. Peter Boumgarden In the space of ownership, the vision of building, scaling, and selling has become a shared mantra of success in the world of business schools formed in the shadow of Silicon Valley. But to suggest all businesses must follow this path is like assuming all runners need to be marathoners. Let’s put this in context by focusing our attention on the owner-operator. How does one approach an attempt to own something for the long run? How does one prepare to steward a legacy throughout the inevitable and yet unexpected changes coming down the pipe? 6:34 no <p>In the space of ownership, the vision of building, scaling, and selling has become a shared mantra of success in the world of business schools formed in the shadow of Silicon Valley. But to suggest all businesses must follow this path is like assuming all runners need to be marathoners. Let’s put this in context by focusing our attention on the owner-operator. How does one approach an attempt to own something for the long run? How does one prepare to steward a legacy throughout the inevitable and yet unexpected changes coming down the pipe? </p> Marathon, Business, Long-Run, Discipline, Owner-Operator, Patience In the space of ownership, the vision of building, scaling, and selling has become a shared mantra of success in the world of business schools formed in the shadow of Silicon Valley. But to suggest all businesses must follow this path is like assuming all runners need to be marathoners. Let’s put this in context by focusing our attention on the owner-operator. How does one approach an attempt to own something for the long run? How does one prepare to steward a legacy throughout the inevitable and yet unexpected changes coming down the pipe?

]]> In the space of ownership, the vision of building, scaling, and selling has become a shared mantra of success in the world of business schools formed in the shadow of Silicon Valley. But to suggest all businesses must follow this path is like assuming all runners need to be marathoners. Let’s put this in context by focusing our attention on the owner-operator. How does one approach an attempt to own something for the long run? How does one prepare to steward a legacy throughout the inevitable and yet unexpected changes coming down the pipe?

]]> Episode 4: Creativity and Continuity with Stuart Weitzman https://theownersboxpodcast.fireside.fm/4 74cd1ef9-6e47-495a-b859-b93ffb64210f Thu, 27 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0500 Dr. Peter Boumgarden full 1 Dr. Peter Boumgarden The brand is a celebrity favorite no matter the occasion. Lorde. Gigi Hadid, Jessica Alba, Blake Lively, Selena Gomez, the list goes on. Today's episode looks at how Stuart Weitzman built his company and what we can learn about owner strategy from the various twists and turns of his brand's evolution over time. This is ultimately Stuart Weitzman's gift to us. There is hard won wisdom gained by an entrepreneur who has gone through all these different shifts in and around the owner's box. 28:55 no <p>The brand is a celebrity favorite no matter the occasion. Lorde. Gigi Hadid, Jessica Alba, Blake Lively, Selena Gomez, the list goes on. Today's episode looks at how Stuart Weitzman built his company and what we can learn about owner strategy from the various twists and turns of his brand's evolution over time. This is ultimately Stuart Weitzman's gift to us. There is hard won wisdom gained by an entrepreneur who has gone through all these different shifts in and around the owner's box. </p> Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Stuart Weitzman, New York City, Coach, Tapestry Brand The brand is a celebrity favorite no matter the occasion. Lorde. Gigi Hadid, Jessica Alba, Blake Lively, Selena Gomez, the list goes on. Today's episode looks at how Stuart Weitzman built his company and what we can learn about owner strategy from the various twists and turns of his brand's evolution over time. This is ultimately Stuart Weitzman's gift to us. There is hard won wisdom gained by an entrepreneur who has gone through all these different shifts in and around the owner's box.

]]> The brand is a celebrity favorite no matter the occasion. Lorde. Gigi Hadid, Jessica Alba, Blake Lively, Selena Gomez, the list goes on. Today's episode looks at how Stuart Weitzman built his company and what we can learn about owner strategy from the various twists and turns of his brand's evolution over time. This is ultimately Stuart Weitzman's gift to us. There is hard won wisdom gained by an entrepreneur who has gone through all these different shifts in and around the owner's box.

]]> Tactics from the Owner’s Box: Social Discount https://theownersboxpodcast.fireside.fm/socialdiscount 900caf17-1164-4f31-98e6-e30cafb42e28 Thu, 09 May 2024 04:00:00 -0500 Dr. Peter Boumgarden bonus 1 Dr. Peter Boumgarden In today’s tactics from “The Owner’s Box,” we explore whether one can and should put a number…. to what it means to balance social purpose and business performance. Ultimately, how much overlap you see between the financial maximization of returns and the non-financial drivers of business likely shapes what you see as possible 9:22 no <p>In the business world, you hear a lot about why and how a business plans to balance social and business good. Ultimately, how much overlap you see between the financial maximization of returns and the non-financial drivers of business likely shapes what you see as possible. So, how might one think about this relationship, and can we bring rigor to the assessment? Explore this question and more with host, Peter Boumgarden, Professor and Director of the Koch Center for Family Enterprise in our latest mini-session focused on tactics from "The Owner’s Box."</p> Social Discount, Business, Culture In the business world, you hear a lot about why and how a business plans to balance social and business good. Ultimately, how much overlap you see between the financial maximization of returns and the non-financial drivers of business likely shapes what you see as possible. So, how might one think about this relationship, and can we bring rigor to the assessment? Explore this question and more with host, Peter Boumgarden, Professor and Director of the Koch Center for Family Enterprise in our latest mini-session focused on tactics from "The Owner’s Box."

]]> In the business world, you hear a lot about why and how a business plans to balance social and business good. Ultimately, how much overlap you see between the financial maximization of returns and the non-financial drivers of business likely shapes what you see as possible. So, how might one think about this relationship, and can we bring rigor to the assessment? Explore this question and more with host, Peter Boumgarden, Professor and Director of the Koch Center for Family Enterprise in our latest mini-session focused on tactics from "The Owner’s Box."

]]> Episode 2: Creative Control with Jeremy King https://theownersboxpodcast.fireside.fm/2 fcdc0c03-c732-47cc-a0bb-f7764021561a Thu, 25 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0500 Dr. Peter Boumgarden full 1 Dr. Peter Boumgarden Ownership dynamics in a creative industry with special guest Jeremy London. 36:39 no <p>Today, we explore the tension between commercial and creative objectives, and what we can learn from a culinary entrepreneur preparing for his third act. Does the owner's box need a creative tension between commerce and creativity? Without the constraints of commerce, the creative impulse can easily become unbounded from market potential. But lacking imagination, do we merely replicate previous successes, with all restaurants looking like carbon copies of surefire but vanilla hits, and all films becoming superhero replicas? Tune in to hear Jeremy King talk this through in his experience transforming the London restaurant scene. </p> Jeremy London, Creative Control, Restaurateur, Culinary Creative, Bluey Today, we explore the tension between commercial and creative objectives, and what we can learn from a culinary entrepreneur preparing for his third act. Does the owner's box need a creative tension between commerce and creativity? Without the constraints of commerce, the creative impulse can easily become unbounded from market potential. But lacking imagination, do we merely replicate previous successes, with all restaurants looking like carbon copies of surefire but vanilla hits, and all films becoming superhero replicas? Tune in to hear Jeremy King talk this through in his experience transforming the London restaurant scene.

]]> Today, we explore the tension between commercial and creative objectives, and what we can learn from a culinary entrepreneur preparing for his third act. Does the owner's box need a creative tension between commerce and creativity? Without the constraints of commerce, the creative impulse can easily become unbounded from market potential. But lacking imagination, do we merely replicate previous successes, with all restaurants looking like carbon copies of surefire but vanilla hits, and all films becoming superhero replicas? Tune in to hear Jeremy King talk this through in his experience transforming the London restaurant scene.

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