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Built with Purpose: How Our Employee-Owned Business Changed What it Means to Work and Why
Why would you want to work at a company you don’t own?
Built with Purpose is the story of Bill Roark realizing his dream. After losing his job and vowing to never experience that again, Roark, along with a team of talented entrepreneurial engineers, set out to challenge the status quo by building a company whose success benefits everyone who works there—not just the founders. Every single employee earns the opportunity to become an owner.
From its evolution as a single entity, Torch Technologies has evolved into a growing family of businesses operating under the umbrella of Starfish Holdings. (When a starfish loses a limb, it can grow another one). This business model has created substantial wealth for hundreds of its employee-owners, who have also been empowered to make substantial contributions to their community. Just as important, the Torch story demonstrates how a business can be built on a foundation that will allow the business to persist and thrive for 100 years or more. The traditional way of growing a business, where just a handful of founders get wealthy, is outdated.
The Torch story validates that there is a better way to build a business—one where everyone is truly engaged and invested in working toward the long-term success of the company—while also keeping generosity as a core value. At Torch, where employees feel secure in their work, they have time and energy to give to others in their community. Only a few other companies owned by their employees have achieved the same level of success as Torch/Starfish. This real-life case study stands apart from other business books by academics or entrepreneurs who have built successful companies in more traditional ways. Business leaders, public servants looking for ways to tackle the growing wealth gap in the U.S., and readers of all genres will rethink what a business is capable of after reading about how Bill Roark’s dream was born and sustained—and the difference it has made for the many who share in its purpose.
Bill Roark is the cofounder of Torch Technologies, Inc. (Torch), the founder and CEO of Starfish Holdings. Inc, the parent company of Torch, and the founder of Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC. Bill has also been involved as a business coach in a local brewery, Yellowhammer Brewery. Over the years, he and his wife Brenda have made multiple investments to help the brewery grow and expand. He has also helped them expand into distilling a fine bourbon and other spirits. While he neither brews nor distills, he remains an active business advisor/owner. Yellowhammer brews are local favorites.
Built with Purpose is the story of Bill Roark realizing his dream. After losing his job and vowing to never experience that again, Roark, along with a team of talented entrepreneurial engineers, set out to challenge the status quo by building a company whose success benefits everyone who works there—not just the founders. Every single employee earns the opportunity to become an owner.
From its evolution as a single entity, Torch Technologies has evolved into a growing family of businesses operating under the umbrella of Starfish Holdings. (When a starfish loses a limb, it can grow another one). This business model has created substantial wealth for hundreds of its employee-owners, who have also been empowered to make substantial contributions to their community. Just as important, the Torch story demonstrates how a business can be built on a foundation that will allow the business to persist and thrive for 100 years or more. The traditional way of growing a business, where just a handful of founders get wealthy, is outdated.
The Torch story validates that there is a better way to build a business—one where everyone is truly engaged and invested in working toward the long-term success of the company—while also keeping generosity as a core value. At Torch, where employees feel secure in their work, they have time and energy to give to others in their community. Only a few other companies owned by their employees have achieved the same level of success as Torch/Starfish. This real-life case study stands apart from other business books by academics or entrepreneurs who have built successful companies in more traditional ways. Business leaders, public servants looking for ways to tackle the growing wealth gap in the U.S., and readers of all genres will rethink what a business is capable of after reading about how Bill Roark’s dream was born and sustained—and the difference it has made for the many who share in its purpose.
Bill Roark is the cofounder of Torch Technologies, Inc. (Torch), the founder and CEO of Starfish Holdings. Inc, the parent company of Torch, and the founder of Freedom Real Estate & Capital, LLC. Bill has also been involved as a business coach in a local brewery, Yellowhammer Brewery. Over the years, he and his wife Brenda have made multiple investments to help the brewery grow and expand. He has also helped them expand into distilling a fine bourbon and other spirits. While he neither brews nor distills, he remains an active business advisor/owner. Yellowhammer brews are local favorites.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2024
16 people are currently reading
983 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 14, 2024
Built with Purpose captures a behind-the-scenes story of the rapid growth of Torch Technologies, headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama. In many ways, this book feels like a conversation with the author, which makes it highly readable and enjoyable. You’ll learn not only the origin story of Torch, but also the motivations that formed the bedrock on which the company was founded.
As Dave Whorton captured in his Afterword, “Bill Roark and Torch represent the best of capitalism and American business. Bill has helped build a culture that not only values its people but also champions doing what’s right by its customers and their community.”
Built with Purpose captures this story of Torch Technologies.
Torch’s story is a blueprint for other companies that are committed to an employee-first culture. When a company prioritizes its people, its people prioritize the company and its growth. This synergy has been born out at Torch Technologies over and over again.
For those of us who have followed Torch’s rapid growth, Built with Purpose fills in details about what was going on behind the scenes. For those who are not yet familiar with Torch, you will get to know and love a company whose success story is a model for others.
Built with Purpose is a story of American capitalism done right … where those who contribute to the success of a company also share in the wealth that’s created. This is the story of Torch Technologies.
Note: I was provided an advance copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
As Dave Whorton captured in his Afterword, “Bill Roark and Torch represent the best of capitalism and American business. Bill has helped build a culture that not only values its people but also champions doing what’s right by its customers and their community.”
Built with Purpose captures this story of Torch Technologies.
Torch’s story is a blueprint for other companies that are committed to an employee-first culture. When a company prioritizes its people, its people prioritize the company and its growth. This synergy has been born out at Torch Technologies over and over again.
For those of us who have followed Torch’s rapid growth, Built with Purpose fills in details about what was going on behind the scenes. For those who are not yet familiar with Torch, you will get to know and love a company whose success story is a model for others.
Built with Purpose is a story of American capitalism done right … where those who contribute to the success of a company also share in the wealth that’s created. This is the story of Torch Technologies.
Note: I was provided an advance copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.
August 4, 2024
Inspirational
Just finished my fellow Tugboat colleague Bill Roark's "Built with Purpose," the compelling story of Torch Technologies and its inspirational example of a leading employee-ownership success story.
Bill shares his journey of transforming a personal setback into a challenge to the traditional business paradigm, where only founders and top executives reap the rewards. If you want to learn about the heart of a people-first leader, "Built with Purpose" is an excellent example.
The book is filled with practical and actionable guidance on implementing an employee-owned business model, illustrated through milestone stories and lessons from the company's and Bill's journeys. At Torch, every employee earns the opportunity to become an owner, fostering a culture of engagement, responsibility, and community involvement. This model has not only created substantial wealth for its employees but also empowered them to contribute significantly to their communities.
Bill’s vision and execution offer a refreshing and hopeful perspective on what companies can achieve when they put people and purpose at the heart of their operations. The one drawback might be that the book sometimes leans heavily on Bill's personal stories and experiences, which may not be easily replicable in every business context.
What you read is the authentic Bill, as if you were having a long conversation with him and listening to him recount the stories of Torch's success. It's a good read and well worth checking out!!
Just finished my fellow Tugboat colleague Bill Roark's "Built with Purpose," the compelling story of Torch Technologies and its inspirational example of a leading employee-ownership success story.
Bill shares his journey of transforming a personal setback into a challenge to the traditional business paradigm, where only founders and top executives reap the rewards. If you want to learn about the heart of a people-first leader, "Built with Purpose" is an excellent example.
The book is filled with practical and actionable guidance on implementing an employee-owned business model, illustrated through milestone stories and lessons from the company's and Bill's journeys. At Torch, every employee earns the opportunity to become an owner, fostering a culture of engagement, responsibility, and community involvement. This model has not only created substantial wealth for its employees but also empowered them to contribute significantly to their communities.
Bill’s vision and execution offer a refreshing and hopeful perspective on what companies can achieve when they put people and purpose at the heart of their operations. The one drawback might be that the book sometimes leans heavily on Bill's personal stories and experiences, which may not be easily replicable in every business context.
What you read is the authentic Bill, as if you were having a long conversation with him and listening to him recount the stories of Torch's success. It's a good read and well worth checking out!!
June 10, 2024
"Built with Purpose" by Bill Roark is a beacon of inspiration in the business world. Roark's narrative of how their employee-owned company redefined the essence of work is not just a story; it's a manifesto for a new era of corporate culture. With eloquence and insight, Roark illustrates how prioritizing purpose and ownership transforms not only the bottom line but also the lives of those involved. This book is a must-read for anyone seeking to infuse their organization with meaning, motivation, and a genuine sense of community. Roark's vision is not just visionary; it's actionable, offering practical insights that can catalyze positive change in any workplace. "Built with Purpose" is not just a book; it's a blueprint for a better way of doing business.
November 4, 2025
Read this to learn a little more about Torch and I've always heard great things about Bill Roark. While the book was a pretty quick read and I got a couple of good ideas from it, I was left feeling like a lot was unsaid. He would talk about losing a contract bid (as the incumbent) but not really go into the kind of detail I was hoping for afterwards... it was more of a "yes, this happened and we learned from it and now things are great". But WHAT did you learn?
I will admit he had me tearing up a few times discussing all of the work Torch Helps does and gave me some great ideas to possibly implement in my company. Overall probably worth the read if you're in defense work in Huntsville.
I will admit he had me tearing up a few times discussing all of the work Torch Helps does and gave me some great ideas to possibly implement in my company. Overall probably worth the read if you're in defense work in Huntsville.
September 24, 2024
I feel like this book has a bit of an identity crisis. The title implies that it is mostly going to be about ESOPs, how to set your business up as one, and why that is a good thing. The book does cover over and over again (almost too much) why it has been so good for Torch to be an ESOP. But it doesn't go into any of the technical details, if that is what you are looking for.
It's a good story about a successful business. The book almost feels like more of a history of the business and all of its success, rather than a business book, which is what I was expecting.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
It's a good story about a successful business. The book almost feels like more of a history of the business and all of its success, rather than a business book, which is what I was expecting.
I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 28, 2024
Striving for excellence
I won this book and this is my honest opinion: The book is really clear that the overall success of this company was not only passion and commitment but also prior performance results which have gained them trust and respect from others. I really enjoyed reading the ups and downs of this company. Sometimes is hard to under the surface. This book really communicated to me that culture in a company and putting employees and customers first are the way to success.
I won this book and this is my honest opinion: The book is really clear that the overall success of this company was not only passion and commitment but also prior performance results which have gained them trust and respect from others. I really enjoyed reading the ups and downs of this company. Sometimes is hard to under the surface. This book really communicated to me that culture in a company and putting employees and customers first are the way to success.
May 13, 2024
An impactful and interesting read that tells the story of Torch Technologies from their start in Huntsville, AL to expanding nationwide.
If you're interested in entrepreneurship or business in general, you need to read this book!
If you're interested in entrepreneurship or business in general, you need to read this book!
June 26, 2024
While this is a very good, informative and important business necessary book. It actually gave me a lot of necessary information if I was able to open my own business. I will however share this book with family and friends that are on that path.
Want to read
July 12, 2024 July 12, 2024.
November 2, 2024
company success story
Just goes to show if you have passion, hire the right people and care about employees you can have a successful business. Thanks for sharing your story.
Just goes to show if you have passion, hire the right people and care about employees you can have a successful business. Thanks for sharing your story.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews