Post by The ICA Group

One of the most rewarding parts of our work isn’t simply helping businesses transition to employee ownership. It’s watching perceptions change. In her latest Mercantile Mayhem newsletter, journalist Nina Roberts reflects on attending a succession planning event hosted by The Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI). She candidly shares that before reporting on worker ownership, she imagined it would lead to “chaos, pandemonium and total bureaucratic gridlock.” After speaking with worker-owners and learning how transitions actually happen, she came away with a very different understanding: “…it’s not a fly-by-night endeavor, but rather a long and arduous process, typically guided by a nonprofit like DAWI or ICA Group that ensures all the structures are in place for a well-run, profitable business.” That shift matters. Employee ownership challenges many assumptions about how businesses are owned and governed. The more journalists, business owners, policymakers, and community leaders engage directly with successful worker-owned businesses, the more the conversation moves beyond myths toward evidence. At ICA, we know that successful ownership transitions don’t happen by accident. They require thoughtful planning, financial analysis, governance design, leadership development, and long-term technical assistance. Changing ownership starts with changing minds. Thank you to Nina Roberts for taking the time to explore the realities of employee ownership and succession planning. Read her latest newsletter here: https://bit.ly/4y6mFii #EmployeeOwnership #WorkerCooperatives #BusinessSuccession #EconomicDemocracy #CommunityWealthBuilding #SmallBusiness #NYC