Posts by North Carolina Ownership Center
Are You Conversion Ready?
Written by: Illa Burbank, North Carolina Employee Ownership Center (NCEOC); Gene Holland, Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) This is part 2 of our 4-part Employee Ownership Journey series, where we explore the path from founder-led to employee-owned. In part 1 of our Employee Ownership Journey series, we talked about all of the options…
Read MoreThe “Aha!” Moment Leading to the Employee Ownership Decision
This is part 1 of our Employee Ownership Journey series, where we explore the path from founder-led to employee-owned. As a founder or owner of a small-to-medium-sized business, your brain is wired for strategy. You spend your days obsessing over customer needs, navigating roadblocks, and securing resources to achieve your vision. But when was the…
Read MoreFebruary 5, 2026 | ExitPro: Overview of Employee Ownership Models for CPAs & Exit Planners (1 hr CE credit)
Thursday, February 5th from 1-2 pm This virtual training will review how you can support your clients selling their business at market rates to their employees through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Worker Cooperative, or a newer model called an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). 1 hour of CE credit for NASBA, CFP, EPI-CEPA, and…
Read MoreCenzontle–Building Bridges and Uplifting Voices, Cooperatively
The conversation around employee ownership often centers on business conversions, where a retiring owner sells their company to their employees. This is a powerful model for succession and honoring a workforce. But what if a business starts with employee ownership from day one? The story of Cenzontle, a language justice cooperative based in Asheville, shows…
Read MoreOctober 21, 2025 | From Founder to Future: Discussing Employee Ownership with John Abrams
Join us for a panel discussion with John Abrams and leaders from local employee-owned companies, followed by a book signing and networking This event will be on Tuesday, October 21, 4:00-5:30 pm at the Center for Craft (67 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801) in the Explore Asheville Assembly Hall. The Industrial Commons (TIC) and the North Carolina Employee Ownership…
Read MoreNovember 10, 2025 | NCEOC Exit Pro Series
Overview of Employee Ownership Models for CPAs & Exit Planners Free CE training for CPAs, financial planners & attorneys on employee ownership as an exit strategy. Earn 1hr NASBA, CFP, EPI-CEPA, BEI Next webinar takes place on Monday, November 10, 2025, from 1-2 pm EST This webinar will review how your clients can sell their…
Read MoreSow True Seed Thrives as a Worker-Owned Cooperative
Founded in 2009 by Carol Koury, Sow True Seed of Asheville, NC has long been dedicated to providing gardeners with open-pollinated and heirloom seeds. In early 2022, the company transitioned to a worker-owned cooperative, enabling Carol to retire and pass the torch to the passionate employees who deeply believed in the company’s mission. Four years…
Read MoreJuly 18, 2025 | Lunch & Learn: Unlocking Employee Ownership for Your Clients
Date: Friday, July 18th Time: 12:30pm – 1:30 pmLocation: The Winston-Salem Foundation | 751 West 4th Street #200 Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Half of the privately held businesses in North Carolina are owned by baby boomers. As our local business landscape is shifting, your clients may be facing retirement. There is one way to support your…
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