From NPQ: But there has been a snag in implementation—collateral. With an individually owned business, a small business owner will often pledge his or her home as collateral to secure a loan. But what if you have 100 owners? Are they supposed to pledge 100 homes? And what if they aren’t all homeowners? Enter a […]
From Next City: But at a city council meeting this past September, Berkeley City Council approved changes to the requirements for its small business loan fund, adding an alternative to a conventional personal guarantee, making it more friendly for worker-owned cooperatives. It may seem like a small victory, but it’s just one part of a […]
From the Santa Barbara Independent: The phenomenon of worker-owned cooperatives is a simple concept. Workers weigh in on the conditions that affect them most: They vote to elect their board of directors and/or managers and/or to set wages and rules around profit redistribution. They can design the business so they have no managers or serve […]
From the East Bay Express: Last week, the Cheeseboard’s longtime home committed to a new strategy for fighting economic inequality and building the local economy: city support for worker cooperatives. The Berkeley City Council voted unanimously on Fe.26 to include co-ops in the city’s small-business revolving loan fund; give co-ops, along with women- and minority-owned […]
From the Sustainable Economies Law Center: Last night, Berkeley City Council unanimously adopted a set of recommendations provided by the Sustainable Economies Law Center (Law Center) and a coalition of worker coop members and advocates. In doing so, Berkeley became a national leader in supporting worker cooperative businesses. “Berkeley is among the first US cities […]
Davis Home Pros is a 15-person residential remodeling cooperative in Walnut Creek California. The selling owners had worked hard with employees to create a positive workplace culture centered around quality craftsmanship, customer service, and reasonable prices. About three years from retirement, they were looking for an innovative succession plan and committed to worker ownership. The […]
Industry: Landscaping Location: California Number of employees: 10 Became employee owned: 2018 Assistance: Sustainable Economies Law Center, Project Equity Learn more mariposagardening.com Pacific Horticulture – Growing a Giving Business (2017) Democracy Collaborative – Converting Businesses to Worker Cooperatives – Lessons from the Real World (video, 2015) Employee Owned Small Businesses in Landscaping Employee Owned […]
Industry: Pet Services Location: Oakland, California Number of employees: 3 Became employee owned: 2016 Assistance: Sustainable Economies Law Center, Project Equity Learn more https://scruf.coop/ The Model Mutt – Announcing Your Scruf Pet Care Collective (2016) Employee Owned Small Businesses in Pet Services Employee Owned Small Businesses in Washington, DC Employee Owned Small Businesses Assisted by […]