The US worker cooperative movement is surging. According to the 2021 Worker Cooperative State of the Sector report, there were 612 worker co-ops in the United States and hundreds more startups underway. Less noticed is that nonprofits have helped to make much of this rapid growth possible.
Category: Impact Stories
A Worker Ownership Solution for Colorado’s Failed Mushroom Farm
You can read the full story on the Colorado Sun Ramon Lucas Ramon’s journey began in the small village of Chichnan, in Santa Eulalia, Guatemala. For the past 20 years, Ramon has called the United States his home, but his path to this new life was far from easy. His story is one of perseverance,… Continue reading A Worker Ownership Solution for Colorado’s Failed Mushroom Farm
Two Faces of Colfax
Recently, I spent a mid-morning near Colfax and Colorado, going door-to-door to meet local business owners and spread the word about the virtues of employee ownership. As I moved eastwards, from Steele street across Colorado and towards Monaco, I passed dozens of shops, talked to numerous owners, and learned a powerful truth: Colfax has two… Continue reading Two Faces of Colfax
How one ESOP spreads the wealth to other ESOPs – A Conversation with Fawn from Prairie Capital Advisors
“When everyone shares, everyone benefits,” says Fawn Romero, ASA at Prairie Capital Advisors. ESOP valuation and advisory are some of the services provided by Prairie, which has been an ESOP itself for 10 years as of January 1, 2022. According to its website, Prairie’s “ESOP provides qualified employees to participate in a plan with over… Continue reading How one ESOP spreads the wealth to other ESOPs – A Conversation with Fawn from Prairie Capital Advisors
A Message from Minsun Ji, RMEOC’s New Executive Director
Meet our new Executive Director.
Hawkins Parnell Wins Significant ERISA Trial Against U.S. Government for Bowers + Kubota Consulting, Inc. and its Founding Shareholders in ESOP Valuation and Transaction Case
Prepared by David R. Johanson, Esq., Douglas A. Rubel, Esq., Rachel J. Markun, Esq., and Robert S. Thompson, Esq. On September 17, 2021, Hawkins Parnell & Young, LLP secured a complete victory for its clients Brian J. Bowers, Dexter C. Kubota, and Bowers + Kubota Consulting, Inc. (B+KC) in an Employee Retirement Income Security Act… Continue reading Hawkins Parnell Wins Significant ERISA Trial Against U.S. Government for Bowers + Kubota Consulting, Inc. and its Founding Shareholders in ESOP Valuation and Transaction Case
Why I Give: Jen Briggs
My grandfather, Lambert Berger, was a businessman in Johnstown, CO. He believed that businesses should support their communities, and communities should support their businesses. His belief that “we’re all in this together” helped create a thriving local economy in my hometown. Today, I work to elevate and perpetuate his legacy by helping employee-owners who are… Continue reading Why I Give: Jen Briggs
“They won’t allow it” by Bill Kirton
Colorado Gives Day provides Coloradans with the opportunity to exercise two of the “better angels of our nature,” gratitude and generosity. A recent visit to my pharmacy presented me with a vivid example of why I should donate to The Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center during the 2021 drive. My response will be to contribute… Continue reading “They won’t allow it” by Bill Kirton
The San Luis Valley Language Justice Cooperative: Empowering people through language
For Erica Maldonado and Diego Pons, co-founder-owners of the San Luis Valley (SLV) Language Justice Cooperative, being bilingual wasn’t always a good thing. This sentiment changed, however, when they learned to leverage their bilingualism in a way that advanced them professionally and allowed them to fulfil a need within their community. Pons and Maldonado met… Continue reading The San Luis Valley Language Justice Cooperative: Empowering people through language
How To Sell A Business To Your Employees (Step-By-Step Guide)
If you’re looking for an exit strategy, selling your business to your employees is one of the best options to consider. But if you’re a little confused or unsure about what that might entail, you’re in the right place to learn more. Selling your business to your employees isn’t as complicated as it seems, and… Continue reading How To Sell A Business To Your Employees (Step-By-Step Guide)