America’s SBDC represents 63 network members and nearly 1,000 centers dedicated to empowering small businesses with personalized advice, top-notch training, and vital resources. SBDCs are the SBA’s resource partner program. They are hosted by universities, colleges, state economic development agencies, and private sector organizations.
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INTEREST SECTIONS
America’s SBDC Interest Sections are designed for individuals interested in a specific topic. Interest Sections are organized and self-managed by network personnel who compile and share information, tools, and best practices.
The Employee Ownership and Business Transitions ASBDC Interest Section is in support of the 2018 Main Street Employee Ownership Act (MSEOA) mandate: “H.R. 5236 — 115th Congress: Main Street Employee Ownership Act of 2018.” The goals include, but are not limited to:
- Providing familiarity of employee ownership to business owners, employees, lenders, elected officials and community development officials;
- Showcasing tools, strategies, and resources for bringing deals into the SBA 7(a) pipeline;
- Identifying and creating opportunities for the greater B2B ecosystem of business services in serving EO clients;
- Recruiting visionary Center and Lead Directors to provide buy-in towards time allocation and funding support for as great a number of SBDC participants as possible in the EO movement;
- and, Demonstrating how EO will provide significant SBDC impact numbers through relating to other Interest Section needs and goals for joint success such as retaining services and jobs in rural areas, building generational and community wealth in minority communities, and showcasing how EO could benefit disaster recovery when business transitions are accelerated such as during COVID.
EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP COMPETENCY LEVEL 1
Workers to Owners Collaborative Announces First National Employee Ownership Training for SBDC Advisors
SAN DIEGO, CA – August 18, 2025 – The first national training program on employee ownership was launched for Small Business Development Center Advisors (SBDC) and Directors. The program, led by the Workers to Owners Collaborative (W2O) in collaboration with America’s SBDC National Special Interest Section on Employee Ownership and Business Transitions, is a major step forward in supporting small business owners successfully navigate a business exit through sale to their employees. The program benefited 33 SBDC advisors and directors serving small businesses in 19 U.S. states.
“Through this program, these advisors are now equipped with a front line toolkit, case studies, and in-depth training to guide small business owners through the process of exploring the various types of employee ownership, and ensuring long-term sustainability once implemented,” said Special Interest Group Co-Chairs Diana Tourney (Clackamas, WA SBDC) and Isa Fernandez (University of Texas at San Antonio SBDC).
This initiative comes at a pivotal time. Millions of small business owners across the United States are approaching retirement with limited exit options. Exit planning that includes business continuity through a sale to employees has become urgent.
“This training program is a crucial step in creating equitable economic ecosystems as Employee Ownership offers a pathway to keep small businesses rooted in their communities while protecting jobs and legacy,” shares Frank Cetera, Business Transfers Program Director at Democracy at Work Institute, a national think-and-do-tank that convenes the Workers to Owners Collaborative. DAWI.
The program was designed to help SBDC advisors identify and assist business owners in considering and implementing employee ownership as an exit strategy.
- Five required sessions included the topics 1. Ecosystems / Vision, Purpose, Culture; 2. Worker Cooperative Conversions; 3. Other Forms of Employee Ownership (ESOPs & EOTs) and Union Co-ops; 4. Financing and Funding; 5. Advising, Consulting, and Professional Services.
- Ten featured experts from leading cooperative development organizations provided the training, including Center for Community-Based Enterprise, Co-op Cincy, Cooperative Development Institute, Cooperative Fund of the Northeast, DAWI, ICA Group, Nexus Community Partners, Project Equity, Shared Capital Cooperative, and U.S. Federation of Worker Cooperatives.
- 11 participants earned a certificate of Employee Ownership Competency from DAWI.
About ASBDC The America’s Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC) provide a network of resources and expertise to help small businesses grow and succeed. Through training, and no-cost counseling, the ASBDC aims to foster economic growth and job creation in local communities across the United States.
About W2O Workers to Owners (W2O) is a national collaborative of organizations working to transition small businesses to worker- and employee-ownership. Members share tools, practices, and innovations, aggregate data, broadcast a shared message in media and public presentations, and engage with companies, places, and governments. The Democracy at Work Institute acts as a backbone organization for the collaborative, with a goal to expand the volume, impacts, and accessibility of conversions across the country.
About DAWI The Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) is the national think-and-do-tank dedicated to expanding worker ownership to meet the needs of workers locked out of good jobs and opportunities to own businesses. The Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) supports the development of employee-owned businesses as a means of creating more sustainable, democratic, and equitable business models. By providing resources, training, and advocacy, DAWI helps businesses navigate the transition to worker ownership.
Media Contact:
Karina Pacheco del Río, Director of Marketing and Communications; Democracy at Work Institute; (787) 306-2791; kpacheco@institute.coop
Map of the United States showing the locations of participants who completed the SBDC Advisor Employee Ownership Competency Level 1
SBDC Advisor Employee Ownership Competency Level 1 Certificate Badge