Miren Oca is the Director of Ocaquatics Swim School, a mission-driven organization and Certified B Corporation. Ocaquatics focuses on water safety, community impact, and environmental responsibility, including carbon neutrality and support for clean water initiatives. Miren is also the Founder of Ripples of Impact, a nonprofit offering resources for personal and environmental resilience. She has been inducted into the US Swim School Association Hall of Fame and recognized in Forbes for using business as a force for good.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- [3:09] How an unexpected pregnancy shifted Miren Oca’s career path from aspiring orthopedic surgeon to swim instructor
- [4:55] Why Miren grew her swim school into a business focused on drowning prevention in Florida
- [10:14] Miren shares how becoming B Corp certified improved her company’s environmental and social impact
- [13:21] The decision to convert Ocaquatics into an employee-owned business
- [20:39] Ripples of Impact’s mission to extend water safety to underserved communities
- [23:10] Miren’s future community endeavors
In this episode...
Running a business with heart can feel like an uphill battle, especially when profitability seems at odds with purpose. Many entrepreneurs wonder how to lead with values, uplift their team, and still build a thriving enterprise. How can you grow a mission-driven company that puts people and the planet first without sacrificing success?
As a leadership-focused entrepreneur and social impact advocate, Miren Oca has built a values-based organization from the ground up. She emphasizes aligning business operations with purpose, which has allowed her to obtain a B Corp certification, transition to employee ownership, and develop an entrepreneurial mindset through financial literacy and internal growth. Entrepreneurs can also leverage peer groups and community support to foster mission-driven growth.
In this episode of the Lead Like a Woman Show, Andrea Heuston sits down with Miren Oca, the Director of Ocaquatics Swim School, to discuss building a business that saves lives and empowers employees. Miren shares how she transitioned her company’s focus, her employee-owned business structure, and how she launched her nonprofit to expand community impact.
Resources Mentioned in this episode:
- Andrea Heuston: LinkedIn | Email
- Artitudes Design
- Lead Like a Woman
- Stronger on the Other Side: The Power to Choose by Andrea Heuston
- Miren Oca on LinkedIn
- Ocaquatics Swim School: Website | Instagram | Facebook
- Ripples of Impact
Quotable Moments:
- “Lack of funds builds creativity. And poof, there was a lot of lack of funds.”
- “We are different, and we make a difference.”
- “We have a business that saves lives and does so much more.”
- “Your frontline team members are the ones who have all the best ideas.”
- “You get much fuel from others by listening to their experiences; learning from them.”
Action Steps:
- Develop an ownership mindset among employees: Teaching team members to think like owners enhances engagement, accountability, and long-term commitment to company goals. This mindset shift leads to more effective and empowered teams who contribute to overall business success.
- Invest in financial literacy training: Helping employees understand both personal and business finances fosters informed decision-making and builds trust within the organization. This knowledge equips team members to participate meaningfully in profit-sharing and operational improvements.
- Leverage B Corp tools to assess impact: Using the B Impact Assessment provides a structured way to measure and improve your company’s social and environmental performance. Even without certification goals, this tool offers valuable strategies for running a values-aligned business.
- Grow leaders from within the organization: Promoting and developing existing team members encourages loyalty and creates a culture of continuous growth. It also ensures leadership reflects the company’s core values and firsthand operational experience.
- Create community-driven initiatives aligned with your mission: Expanding your impact through nonprofit efforts or social programs builds brand authenticity and fulfills a higher purpose. These initiatives can amplify your company’s reach while reinforcing its values among both employees and customers.
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