How Turning Your Business into a Co-Op Helps LGBTQ Workers | Queer Money Ep. 550

Queer Money®: How Gay People Do Money

Can a Co-op business model help your business grow?

Episode 550 of the Queer Money podcast features guest Annie Winkler discussing the benefits of employee ownership in businesses. Annie explains how becoming part-owner of a company can lead to increased productivity, job satisfaction, and the establishment of LGBTQ generational wealth. They recount their experience transitioning Real Pickles into a worker-owned cooperative and delve into the impacts of democratic member control in co-ops versus ESOPs. The episode highlights the advantages for both business owners considering succession planning and employees seeking greater investment in their workplace.

Topics Covered

• 00:00 Introduction to Bare Minimum Mondays and Lazy Fridays
• 00:10 The Concept of Employee Ownership
• 00:28 Introducing Annie Winkler and Queerness in Business
• 00:53 Welcome to the Queer Money Podcast
• 01:52 Discussion on Pronouns and Non-Binary Identity
• 02:30 Exploring Employee Stock Purchase Plans
• 02:53 Challenges Faced by Employees Today
• 04:41 The Impact of Baby Boomers on the Economy
• 05:23 Statistics on Baby Boomers and Retirement
• 06:47 The Role of Wealth and Power in Employment
• 07:43 Annie Winkler's Journey to Employee Ownership
• 08:40 The Real Pickles Cooperative Experience
• 12:08 The Benefits of Worker-Owned Cooperatives
• 17:07 Comparing ESOPs and Worker Co-ops
• 20:25 Challenges and Benefits of Employee Ownership
• 26:09 Legacy Planning for Business Owners
• 29:57 Introduction to ESOPs
• 30:29 Trust and Control in ESOPs
• 31:41 Ownership and Leadership Transitions
• 32:57 Optimal Company Size for ESOPs and Co-ops
• 34:27 Financial Considerations and Valuation
• 35:41 Starting the Transition to Employee Ownership
• 41:53 Generational Wealth and Queer Community
• 48:03 VEOC and Employee Ownership Support
• 50:36 Dragon Boat Team and Personal Joys
• 52:35 Conclusion and Resources

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