In this pilot episode of the Ownership Mindset Podcast, Co-founder and CEO Casey Fenton provides a glimpse into how he came up with the idea of Upstock. He talks about the early years of Couchsurfing and how its transition from a nonprofit to a for-profit organization became one of the catalysts for creating an organized system that makes equity easy to understand. Casey expounds on the importance of equity and its power to create alignment and serve as a motivator for the members of a company. He also delves into the essential things every business owner must understand before setting up their equity system. 

This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs and aspiring ones looking to motivate their employees and maximize their impact towards building something big as a team. 

1. Equity must be easy to understand–not intimidating or demotivating for employees. 

2. Creating an ownership mindset for all stakeholders in your company inspires everyone to work harder and contribute more value to the company.

[1:33] Casey opens the episode by discussing how he came up with the idea for Upstock. He also discusses the three important levers that help leaders or entrepreneurs win and set up their businesses for success. 

[5:20] Casey points out the common issues he had seen with existing equity systems. He reiterates how making equity easy to understand and visualize for employees helps business owners achieve their goal and utilize it to create alignment in their organization.

[10:45] Casey talks about the goal of equity and how business owners can measure its success. He also emphasizes how giving people ownership can inspire and motivate them to improve the business further. 

[12:12] Casey enumerates the essential factors every business owner must understand when setting up their equity system. He highlights equity plan communication as the most crucial element owners must consider.

[16:44] Casey wraps up the episode by providing a sneak peek into the topics and concepts he and the future guests will delve deep into in the next episodes.

Resources:

1. Upstock

2. Casey Fenton

3. SPECIAL OFFER: FREE TRIAL LINK

Quotes:

1. “Giving ownership in the form of a mission and vision and a north star just doesn’t work the same way in a for-profit enterprise.” - Casey Fenton

2. “At the end of the day, really what equity is supposed to do is inspire us all to work together, create alignment, and do the best work of our lives.” - Casey Fenton

3. “Whatever we own, we identify with. And whatever we identify with, we want to improve.” - Casey Fenton

4. “If they don’t believe in the equity, or if they don’t understand how it works–if they don’t believe that they’ve got their first share, then is that equity really that valuable?” - Casey Fenton