Author: Mike Brady
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Rethinking the Exit: Why Selling to an ESOP-Owned Buyer Might Be the Best Deal You Haven’t Considered
At 40 Million Owners, we’ve built our advisory platform around a simple but powerful idea: employee-owned companies should be active, strategic acquirers. When an ESOP acquires a privately held business, it doesn’t just drive growth—it expands the circle of ownership to workers who might never otherwise have access to equity. That’s why we’re so pleased…
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Offense is the Best Defense: Why ESOPs Need an M&A Playbook Now
Employee-owned companies can capitalize on a dynamic small business M&A market and use acquisitions to compete, grow, and fulfill their fiduciary duty. Small businesses that employ tens of millions of American workers will sell to new owners this decade, creating both a risk and an unprecedented opportunity to transition these businesses to long-term, sustainable ownership…
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Let’s Vote
We’re excited to share that our proposed session for SOCAP25 has advanced to the Community Voting round! At 40 Million Owners, we’ve witnessed how Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition (ETA) is reshaping the small business economy. As more investors, searchers, and business owners turn to ETA as a succession solution, the model has grown rapidly—but too often,…
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The Force Multiplier
Why Investors and Businesses Are Betting on Employee Ownership When Bob Moore, co-founder and CEO of Bob’s Red Mill, passed away in February 2024, he left behind more than just a successful whole-grain foods brand—he left a legacy of employee ownership. In 2010, he made the bold decision to transfer 100% ownership of the company…
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ESOP CEOs Drive Value and Reduce Risk through Acquisitions
Employee ownership is good business, and employee-owned companies make for successful acquirers. In a crowded market for lower-middle market acquisitions, ESOPs stand apart. Few market participants can match an ESOP’s attractiveness as a well-capitalized buyer that preserves the sellers’ legacy, provides their employees future wealth-building opportunities, and potentially allows the sellers to defer a portion…
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THE EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Navigating this opportunity demands careful planning to ensure the chosen approach aligns with the company’s vision and maximizes its benefits. Each model comes with its own set of legal, financial, and operational considerations—ranging from tax implications to governance structures and funding strategies. For business owners, the key lies in identifying a path that aligns with…
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THE EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP SCENARIO
We often encounter two distinct scenarios among business owners considering employee ownership. The first involves owners and their partners who are in the early stages of exploring employee ownership as a potential cornerstone of their growth strategy and long-term succession plan. These owners are seeking guidance on whether employee ownership aligns with their vision and…
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Evolving Landscape of Employee Ownership
Challenges in business are a given, but it’s our response to them that defines our trajectory. Looking beyond the immediate obstacle, there lies a realm of opportunity and learning.
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The Silver Tsunami: A Tidal Wave of Business Transitions Reshaping the Market
Every business has a unique potential waiting to be tapped. Recognizing the keys to unlock this growth can set an enterprise on the path to unprecedented success.
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