Join us in this transformative episode of the Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Podcast as host Cory Ames uncovers the heartwarming journey of Dean's Beans Organic Coffee Company. Dive into the candid conversation with founder Dean Cycon and CEO Beth Spong as they share their inspiring blueprint for transforming a conventional business into a worker-owned cooperative that seamlessly unites profit with purpose.

Embark on this journey with us as we dissect the intricacies of direct partnerships, organic and shade-grown coffee, and the ripple effects of empowering worker ownership. Listen in as Dean reflects on his poignant decision to step aside and Beth envisions future horizons, carrying the torch for social justice and environmental stewardship. By the end of this episode, you'll be equipped with profound insights and actionable advice for infusing your entrepreneurial endeavors with core values and societal considerations.

#environmentalstewardship #sustainablebusiness #organiccoffee #fairtrade #corporatesocialresponsibility

⭐️ SPONSORED BY

Transform - https://www.transform.global/
@AGoodCompany - https://www.agood.com/

📺 Chapters:
00:00 The Genesis of Dean's Beans: A Social Experiment in Coffee
00:19 Dean's Transition: From Lawyer to Coffee Crusader
00:58 The Evolution of Dean's Beans: Organic, Fair, and Worker-Owned
01:39 Introducing Beth Spong: The New CEO with a Mission
02:04 The Core Values Driving Dean's Beans Forward
02:22 A Deep Dive into the Podcast's Focus: Securing the Mission
03:30 Dean Reflects: The Personal Reasons Behind His Transition
04:51 The Journey to Worker Ownership: Challenges and Triumphs
08:02 Beth's Take: Leading Dean's Beans into a New Era
11:18 Maintaining Integrity and Mission in Business Practices
15:48 Exploring the Future: Deepening Impact and Expanding Missions
18:58 The Importance of Direct Relationships in Coffee Communities
23:47 Challenging the Status Quo: Dean's Beans' Unique Approach
33:17 The Power Dynamics in Coffee Communities and Aid Work
37:37 Redefining Success: Growth as an Outcome, Not a Goal
41:56 Rethinking Shareholder Profit Norms
42:16 The Evolution of Corporate Profit Maximization
42:54 Valuing More Than Profit: A New Corporate Paradigm
43:23 Breaking Away from Profit-Driven Mental Constructs
43:46 The Starbucks Conundrum: Profit vs. Fair Trade
44:26 The Future of Business: Beyond Profit Maximization
47:38 The Impact of Corporate Size on Mission and Values
53:42 The Transition to Worker Ownership at Dean's Beans
59:30 The Significance of Becoming a Worker-Owned Cooperative
01:01:35 The Practical Benefits of Worker Ownership
01:02:27 Challenging Traditional Corporate Hierarchies
01:04:05 The Role of Worker Ownership in Social Change
01:06:40 The Potential of Worker-Owned Cooperatives
01:11:44 Advice for Aspiring Social Entrepreneurs
01:14:45 The Importance of Values and Mission in Business

📚 Additional Resources & Community For the full dirt on sustainable living, head over to our website (growensemble.com) where we cultivate a richer understanding of what it truly means to live green.

📽️ Part I - What Makes a Great Coffee? -    • What Makes Great Coffee? ☕️ (Dean's B...  
✉️ 7 Days to Living & Working More Sustainably: grownsemble.com/7
🧑‍💼 Sustainable business: https://growensemble.com/sustainable-...
🎤 The Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Podcast -- https://growensemble.com/podcast/​
📚 Learn Ensemble: Resources on Building a Better World -- https://growensemble.com/learn/​
💵 Buy Ensemble: Sustainable Product & Business Directory -- https://growensemble.com/buy/​
📽️ What does it mean to be sustainable:    • How to Identify Truly Sustainable Pro...  

🔗 CONNECT WITH CORY

👥 LinkedIn -   / amescory  
💻 Website - https://coryames.com/
💌 Newsletter - https://coryames.com/newsletter/

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💻 Website - https://growensemble.com/
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🎙 ABOUT THE PODCAST

The Social Entrepreneurship & Innovation Podcast (https://www.socialentrepreneurship.fm/) is a podcast for social entrepreneurs committed to using business to achieve humanity's greatest potential.