Alternative Exit #23 | From Employee to Owner: Igniting the Entrepreneurial Mindset

Alternative Exit

Episode Summary:
Today’s episode offers a fresh perspective—from the employee’s seat. I’m joined by the brilliant and energetic Sam Moles, who brings a front-line view into what employee ownership actually looks like day-to-day. As a Trustee Representative and marketing lead at Stephens Scown, Sam unpacks how ownership changes mindsets, motivates innovation, and transforms how people show up at work. We dive into practical systems, cultural shifts, and leadership traits that make employee ownership real.
We dive into what it really means to be an employee owner—from developing commercial awareness and mindset shifts, to creating structured systems for employee voice and innovation. Sam shares how Stephens Scown is empowering their people through initiatives like their "Ideas from Sconers" portal and parishes forum, and what leadership looks like in a democratically governed, employee-driven business. If you're wondering how to unlock engagement, transparency, and entrepreneurial thinking in your own business, this is an episode you’ll want to take notes on.
Key Takeaways:

• What it means to serve as an elected trustee in an employee-owned firm
• How Stephens Scown created employee voice at the strategy table
• The shift from employee to owner—and how it unlocks commercial thinking
• How the "Ideas from Sconers" system works and the business case behind it
• The role of trust boards, parishes, and peer-to-peer coaching in EO cultures
• Why great EO leaders coach, challenge, and encourage entrepreneurial risk-taking
• How employee ownership can drive better businesses and better societies
• Why open feedback loops and transparency build real trust
• How employees can grow their EO knowledge through community sharing

About Sam Moles
Sam Moles is the Digital Marketing Manager and Trustee Representative at Stephens Scown, a leading employee-owned law firm in the UK. Named the Employee Owner of the Year in 2023, Sam has played a key role in shaping how employee voice is embedded at a strategic level within the firm. Known for his boundless energy and passion for EO, Sam also leads peer-learning initiatives across employee-owned businesses and champions practical tools that help shift mindsets from employee to owner.
Connect with Sam Moles:
LinkedIn: Sam Moles – Stephens Scown
Website: https://www.stephens-scown.co.uk

Connect with Andy Farquharson:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq
Website - https://abettermonday.me/
Email - [email protected]