Employee Ownership Expansion Network

12/19/2024

🤔Why is Massachusetts investing in ✨employee ownership✨ now? Kevin Kuros shares with us his perspective as a citizen, former elected official, and the current Director of Massachusetts Center for Employee Ownership (MassCEO).

"I’m incredibly proud to call Massachusetts home. We’re the life sciences capital of the world, and our education system—spanning primary, secondary, and higher education—is unmatched. Thousands of students come here for college, and one of our challenges is making Massachusetts a permanent destination for them, not just a four-year stop.

Employee ownership plays a role in this vision. It creates opportunities for businesses to thrive, strengthens communities, and ensures wealth is shared more equitably. I’m thrilled to be part of a movement that helps businesses succeed while improving lives.

In the end, I love what I do because it’s about helping people and businesses. Whether it’s through legislation, policy, or direct support, I’m committed to making Massachusetts a place where businesses and employees can grow together."

Read the Full story here ---> http://www.eoxnetwork.org/interview-with-kevin-kuros-director-of-massceo

12/06/2024

🎉Congratulations to the Iowa Center for Employee Ownership! (IA-CEO) has been awarded a one-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture through the Rural Cooperative Development Grant program! Established in 2023, IA-CEO has hit the ground running to expand employee ownership in Iowa!!

Exciting News! We’re thrilled to share that the Iowa Center for Employee Ownership (IA-CEO) has been awarded a one-year grant from the USDA through the Rural…

12/02/2024

🌟 There's still time to join today's Fireside Chat on Employee Ownership Trusts! Will we see you TODAY Dec. 2nd EST?🤔

We’re excited to welcome the amazing Miren Oca, founder of Ocaquatics Swim School in sunny Miami, FL! 🏊‍♀️✨

Moderated by Employee Ownership Expansion Network Executive Director, Steve Storkan, Miren will take us through her inspiring journey of selling 100% of her business to her passionate employees via an EOT. Discover the profound impact this decision had on her team and operations—it's a story packed with both triumphs and lessons learned along the way!

Plus, we’ll be joined by Chris Michael, Founder and Managing Partner at EOT Advisors, who played an essential role in this transformative process!💡🤝

Don’t wait— RSVP now > https://ow.ly/T2x150UbaC4 📅

Join us for an in depth discussion with Miren Oca, the founder and CEO of Oquatics, at the EOX Employee Ownership Fireside Chat!

11/30/2024

🤩🌟Did you know that the EOX State Center Network has a presence in *25* states from Connecticut to California? EOX is on a mission to empower businesses across the U.S. with transformative employee ownership models, and we need your help!

Imagine a world where workers are owners—where everyone has a real stake in success. That’s the future we’re building together! Every donation fuels our efforts to expand local resources, technical support, and access to expertise for businesses hungry for innovation in their succession planning process.

Support EOX on December 3rd! Your contribution means more passionate employees leading thriving companies.

💖 Ready to be part of the change? Donate now: https://ow.ly/Pzqf50UiiHH
Let’s create a brighter future for ALL! 🙌❤️

11/29/2024

💼✨ The EOX Network of state centers are working locally, providing essential resources and information to businesses ready to embrace transformative employee ownership models.

Every donation helps us expand our network and empower more businesses across the US. Together, we can create a future where workers are owners - because when everyone has a stake in success, we all succeed! 🙌❤️

👉 Support EOX this December 3rd! Give back to your community by supporting Remember EOX Network. Your contribution means more businesses can thrive with passionate employees at the helm.

💖 Donate today: https://ow.ly/Pzqf50UiiHH

11/21/2024

🌟 Ever wondered how Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) can transform businesses and empower owners? 🤔

Don’t miss our upcoming webinar on December 2nd at 2 PM EST, featuring the incredible Miren Oca, founder of Ocaquatics Swim School in Miami, FL! 🏊‍♀️✨ She’ll share her inspiring journey of selling 100% of her business to her dedicated employees through an EOT and the profound impact it has had on both her team and operations.

Join us to hear about Miren's firsthand experiences navigating the conversion process—complete with both triumphs and challenges in the realm of employee ownership. Plus, we’re thrilled to have Chris Michael, Founder and Managing Partner at EOT Advisors, who played a pivotal role in this transformation.

This is your chance to gain valuable insights into the power of employee ownership! 💡🤝

Mark your calendars! 📅 RSVP NOW > https://ow.ly/T2x150UbaC4

Join us for an in depth discussion with Miren Oca, the founder and CEO of Oquatics, at the EOX Employee Ownership Fireside Chat!

11/19/2024

🌍✨ Did you know that employee ownership can transform communities? When workers invest in their companies, they boost economic resilience, foster innovation, and create thriving towns! 💪🏽🤝 Some of the biggest barriers to employee ownership are awareness, access to capital, and understanding policies.

The EOX Network of State Centers provides a wealth of knowledge and support for owners to connect to the experts and resources that will help them decide what is best for their business! Learn more about your state center below and help us champion local businesses & empower our workforce! Together, we can build stronger communities! 🏘️🔗 https://www.eoxnetwork.org/state-centers

11/18/2024

Exciting news from Washington State! 🎉Last year, the state of Washington passed largest pro-employee ownership legislation ever passed in the U.S. (S.B. 5096) and earlier this year, Lorena Lowell was appointed the inaugural Program Director for the newly created Washington Office of Employee Ownership under the Department of Commerce. The new office will featuring members from various sectors. Starting July 1, 2024, businesses are now able to benefit from tax credits to transition to worker-owned models or employee stock plans. Let's celebrate this step towards a fairer workplace! 🌟

The Employee Ownership Expansion Network is a national nonprofit focused on significantly expanding employee ownership across the United States by establishing and supporting a network of independent nonprofit State Centers for Employee Ownership.

11/12/2024

Over the last five years, the ever-growing demand for our work reaffirms that employee ownership is uniquely positioned for this moment in American history. EOX Network has launched a $6.9 Million 'State by State' Capacity-Building Campaign to equip us for the next phase of the challenge.

This campaign aims at building up the EOX State Center Network so that we can continue this work at the rapid pace needed to address the business closure crisis; benefiting workers, owners, and communities across states from Connecticut to Texas.

We are already 43% of the way there…but we cannot cross the finish line without you! On behalf of myself, our board, staff, and future worker owners across the country, thank you in advance for your support. I hope you’ll scroll or click below to learn more about the campaign!

LEARN MORE> https://ow.ly/iF9R50U5yfv

GIVE NOW> https://ow.ly/4xkk50U5yfy

11/11/2024

Today, as we honor Veterans for their service and commitment, we also want to highlight the significant impact that veteran entrepreneurs make on the U.S. economy. Veteran owned businesses generate up to $1.2 trillion each year. However, this contribution is at risk as nearly 75% of veteran business owners are approaching retirement.

Employee ownership could become part of many of their succession plans protecting both veteran owners and their employees. Check out this 2021 report from Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations > https://ow.ly/KEuk50U4Au8

10/31/2024

The North Carolina Employee Ownership Center (NCEOC) and the Small Business Center Network will cohost a “Employee Ownership Deep Dive” webinar on , November 12th at noon EST.

Learn more about one particular type of from a business owner who chose that option, why she/he chose it, the pros and cons and lessons learned.

Register here :

More detail on one particular type of employee ownership, such as ESOPs, highlighting a business owner who chose that option as a speaker, who can address why she/he chose that options and the pros and cons and lessons learned.

10/28/2024

The fourth and final episode of Ryan Tansom's How Work podcast (episode #326), "How ESOPs Work: The Life Cycle, ESOP Acquisitions, and Owner Success Stories," features National Service Provider Jim Steiker of SES ESOP Strategies and Ken Baker, EOX board member.

In this episode, you will learn about the full life cycle of an ESOP company, including: How - and why - ESOPs acquire other companies, What happens to employees if an ESOP is sold, Why an ESOP company is a good exit alternative for a company who is not big enough to become an ESOP themselves, and the differences between selling to an already-formed ESOP and the normal M&A process of selling to a third party.

Listen here:

As we wrap up our four-part mini-series on ESOPs, we’re getting out of the weeds and coming back up for air. Today we’re going to be talking about ESOPs acqu...