Alternative Exit

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, I’m joined by Dr. Tej Gonza—researcher, author, and co-founder of the Institute for Economic Democracy in Slovenia. Tej is a powerful voice in the global employee ownership movement, leading policy innovation and grassroots change across Europe. He’s also a research fellow at Rutgers University and the co-author of the “European ESOP,” an ambitious model that aims to expand employee ownership through democratic, cooperative structures.

We talk about the real impact of employee ownership on businesses, communities, and economic resilience—especially as Europe braces for a wave of generational business exits. Tej also dives deep into how the European ESOP was designed, what makes it unique, and why he believes participatory ownership is essential for building sustainable enterprises. Whether you're a business owner, policy leader, or just curious about the future of capitalism, this one’s packed with fresh ideas and global insight.


Key Takeaways:
- How Tej discovered employee ownership through academic curiosity and macroeconomic mentorship
- Why employee ownership matters from business, social, and macroeconomic perspectives
- The generational wealth transfer challenge facing Europe—and why employee ownership is a strategic solution
- How Slovenia is setting the pace for employee ownership policy in the EU
- The fundamental differences between employee ownership and employee shareholding
- Why capital access and ownership rights matter in building sustainable employee-owned businesses
- How the European ESOP uses a cooperative SPV and rollover model to tackle liquidity challenges
- The importance of education and financial literacy in making employee ownership work
- Why political will, smart regulation, and scalable models are key to driving broader adoption

About Dr. Tej Gonza
Dr. Tej Gonza is the co-founder and director of the Institute for Economic Democracy in Slovenia. A leading researcher in the field, Tej is a research fellow at Rutgers University’s Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing and is actively shaping employee ownership legislation across the European Union. He is the co-author of the European ESOP model and a vocal advocate for democratizing economic systems through broad-based, participatory ownership structures.

Connect with Dr. Tej Gonza
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gonzatej/
Website: https://ied.si/en/

Connect with Andy Farquharson:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/  
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq   
Website - https://abettermonday.me/   
Email - [email protected]

Episode Summary:

For today's episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, I'm joined by Steve Storkan, Executive Director of the Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX). With over 25 years of experience in the employee ownership space, Steve has helped shape how businesses and communities embrace ownership models like ESOPs and Employee Ownership Trusts across the U.S.

We dive into the cultural and emotional side of employee ownership, the growing network of state centers EOX is building, and what it takes to make ownership more mainstream in America. Steve also shares some of the biggest misconceptions about employee ownership and why capital access and education remain two of the biggest hurdles. Whether you're a business owner considering your next move or someone passionate about inclusive growth, this conversation is packed with perspective and purpose.

Key Takeaways:

• How Steve’s experience in the Marine Corps led to a surprising path into employee ownership
• The emotional connection and cultural power of ESOPs
• Why financial literacy is critical to employee engagement
• The role third-party administrators play in bridging education gaps
• Common misconceptions that make ESOPs hard to explain—and how to fix that
• How EOX is scaling state-by-state to increase national awareness
• Why employee ownership is a retention tool, and not (yet) a recruitment tool
• The challenge of capital access—and how philanthropy and impact funds are changing that
• The rise of ESOP-led acquisitions to grow ownership across sectors
• What’s next for the employee ownership movement

About Steve Storkan

Steve Storkan is the Executive Director of the Employee Ownership Expansion Network (EOX), a national nonprofit on a mission to grow employee ownership across the United States by supporting the development of state centers. Since joining EOX in 2019, Steve has helped expand the network from 8 to 24 state centers and continues to advocate for inclusive business models that benefit both owners and employees.

Connect with Steve Storkan
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Steve Storkan
Website: https://eoxnetwork.org

Connect with Andy Farquharson:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/  
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq   
Website - https://abettermonday.me/   
Email - [email protected]

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Alternative Exit, I’m joined by Daniel Goldstein an experienced executive, former CEO of Foliance, and a dedicated advocate for employee ownership. With a career spanning corporate governance, ESOP advocacy, and organizational transformation, Daniel brings a deeply thoughtful and practical lens to how businesses can embrace employee ownership and thrive.

We dive into what happens after the ownership transition — how to ensure long-term sustainability, build buy-in, and drive culture within employee-owned companies. From turning a balance sheet crisis into a holding company opportunity, to creating tangible tools like a "license to act" card that foster true ownership mindset, Daniel shares a masterclass in smart leadership, accountability, and systems that scale.

Key Takeaways:

• The biggest fear in employee ownership isn’t the model — it’s employees undervaluing what they have
• Why shared services and ESOP holding companies simplify transition and scale
• The difference between ownership and entitlement (and how education bridges the gap)
• Why culture change starts with leadership modeling, not employee handbooks
• The “80,000 hours” mindset that makes work about more than just financial rewards
• How governance done well empowers decision-making and accountability at every level
• Why focusing on what’s working — through appreciative inquiry — is more powerful than postmortems
• What’s next in employee ownership: EOTs, sustainability modeling, and cultural storytelling

About Daniel Goldstein:

Daniel Goldstein is the former President and CEO of Foliance, a 100% employee-owned holding company based in Iowa. During his tenure, he transformed the organization through innovative acquisitions, thoughtful governance, and deep cultural investment. Today, he serves as an executive fellow at the Rutgers Institute of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing, and continues to support the EO community as a speaker, board member, and advisor.

Connect with Daniel Goldstein:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: Daniel Goldstein

Connect with Andy Farquharson:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq   
Website - https://abettermonday.me/   
Email - [email protected]   

Episode Summary:

For today's episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, Andy Farquharson is joined by Deb Oxley, a prominent advocate for employee ownership and the Chair, NED, Mentor, and Specialist in Employee Ownership. 

She shared stories of how she influenced companies about employee ownership, the need to influence influencers like accountants and lawyers about its importance, and its impacts. They also talked about the 'whoosh' effect on employee ownership and the concept of 'financial freedom day.' Listen to learn more about these. Enjoy the show!

Key Takeaways:

• How Deb found her way into the employee ownership space
• Big challenges to sharing awareness about employee ownership with companies
• The pre-transition space of accountants and lawyers
• What is the ownership 'whoosh' effect?
• The financial freedom day
• Employee ownership is a change of ownership, not leadership.
• Importance of financial literacy in employee ownership
• Giving a level of personal accountability to employees
• What is the biggest barrier to growth for employee ownership?

About Deb Oxley

Deb Oxley is a prominent advocate for employee ownership. She had a tenure from 2015 to 2022 as the CEO of the Employee Ownership Association in the UK. During her time, she had a significant impact on the organization, growing its reach and impact. Deb was awarded an OBE in 2019 for her services to employee ownership and social enterprise. 

Connect with Deb Oxley

• X: @DebOxley 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deboxley 
• Email: [email protected] 
• Resources: https://employeeownership.co.uk/ 

Connect with Andy Farquharson:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/  
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq   
• Website - https://abettermonday.me/   
• Email - [email protected]

Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, Andy Farquharson interviews Chris Mackin, a luminary in employee ownership who has spent four and a half decades in this field. He is the founder and president of Ownership Associates, a consulting firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Today, he talks about the history of employee ownership in the U.S., the introduction of employee relationships, and the idea of employee ownership in the legal and financial aspects. Listen and enjoy the show!

Key Takeaways:

• The history of employee ownership in the United States
• Introduction of employee relationship
• The misconceptions about employee ownership: It is not socialism
• The vision of an industrial republic
• Importance of changing organizational culture and employee engagement as part of the transition
• Creating democratic capitalism
• ESOP vs EOT
• The biggest challenge to implementing employee-owned structures in companies
• Having future committees in ESOP companies
• The Employee Equity Investment Act

About Chris Mackin
Chris Mackin is the founder and president of Ownership Associates, a consulting firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is also a fellow at the Rutgers University School of Management and Labor Relations, where he teaches a course on democratic capitalism and contributes to the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing. He plays an active role in shaping policies that govern employee ownership and participates in employee ownership symposiums around the world.

Connect with Chris Mackin

• -Website: https://ownershipassociates.com/
• -LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-mackin-3238723/

Connect with Andy Farquharson:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/  
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq   
• Website - https://abettermonday.me/   
• Email - [email protected]

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Alternative Exit, Andy Farquharson speaks with John Guzek, a researcher and practitioner specializing in Employee Ownership and Organizational Behavior. Recently, he co-authored an article called 'Overcoming the Barriers to Employee Ownership: Insights from a Small and Medium Business.'

Today, John will dive into the conversation about the barriers to employee ownership, especially for small and medium business owners, the idea of an ownership operating system, and the difference between ESOP and shared ownership. Listen and enjoy!

Key Takeaways:
- John's inspiration to research barriers to employee ownership among SMB owners
- Reasons why people reject the idea of employee ownership
- What is shared ownership and the ownership operating system?
- The easiest and toughest thing for owners to do in employee ownership
- Turning employees into an innovation engine
- Difference between ESOP and shared ownership
- The transition towards a shared ownership lifestyle model
- John's advice for business owners who want to transition to employee ownership

About John Guzek
John Guzek is a researcher and practitioner specializing in Employee Ownership and Organizational Behavior. Recently, he has co-authored an article called 'Overcoming the Barriers to Employee Ownership, Insights from a Small and Medium Business.'

Connect with John Guzek:
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/guzekjc/

Connect with Andy Farquharson:
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/  
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq  
- Website - https://abettermonday.me/  
- Email - [email protected]

Episode Summary:

For today's episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, Andy Farquharson is joined by Beth Spong, CEO of Dean's Beans Organic Coffee. She had a career working in a non-profit and a respected leader in employee ownership.

In this episode, she shared her journey working with Dean's Beans Organic Coffee and how she helped the company on its transition from being a founder-led company to an employee-owned company via co-op. She also talked about the challenges of leading change in a company, and the response of employees with their transition to employee ownership. Listen and enjoy the show!

Key Takeaways:
- Helping Dean's Beans' transition from being founder-led to employee-owned via co-op
- Preserving the mission and looking after employees in the local community
- How to know if a company is ready for the ownership transition?
- What do bylaws mean in a co-op?
- Periodic opportunities for people to question decisions
- The biggest challenge as a leader in supporting and guiding change in a company
- Employees' response to their transition to being an owner
- Beth's favorite resource on employee ownership

About Beth Spong

Beth Spong is the CEO of Dean's Beans Organic Coffee. She has a career in non-profits and is a respected leader in employee ownership. Beth has overseen the transition of this business from founder-led to an employee-owned model and as a co-op. As a permanent voice in employee ownership, she contributed to reshaping the narrative of how worker empowerment and shared governance can transform the work environment for her people.

Connect with Beth Spong:
- Website: https://deansbeans.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeansBeansOrganicFairTradeCoffee
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deansbeanscoffee

Connect with Andy Farquharson:
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/  
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq  
- Website - https://abettermonday.me/  
- Email - [email protected]

Episode Summary:

For today's episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, Andy Farquharson is joined by Alex Moss, a pioneer in the field of employee ownership and is currently the president of Praxis Consulting Group. Alex has decades of experience advising employee-owned companies and mission-driven organizations. He served in leadership roles on the boards of multiple ESOPs and has been a key advocate in the employee ownership community.

Andy will dive into Alex's journey and his work at Praxis. He also shared in this episode his insights on creating resilient and high-performing organizations through employee ownership. Listen and learn more about these topics, and enjoy the show!

Key Takeaways:

• Alex and his story of forming Praxis Consulting Group.
• Employee ownership is a great tool to help people succeed
• Core elements of a great employee ownership model
• Connecting theory and practice at Praxis
• How Alex approach organizational change
• What is business sustainability
• The value system of ownership vs leadership
• Why won't employees want ownership?

About Alex Moss

Alex Moss is the Founding Principal of Praxis Consulting Group. He is a pioneer in the field of employee ownership and has decades of experience advising employee-owned companies and mission-driven organizations. Alex has served in leadership roles on the boards of multiple ESOPs and has been a key advocate in the employee ownership community.

Connect with Alex Moss

• Website: https://www.praxiscg.com/team/alexander-p-moss-mppm

Connect with Andy Farquharson:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/  
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq  
• Website - https://abettermonday.me/  
• Email - [email protected]  

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, Andy Farquharson is joined by Alison Lingane, a dedicated social entrepreneur who spent her career leveraging the business. She co-founded a non-profit called Project Equity, which promotes employee ownership.

She shared her journey with Project Equity and her transition to focus on expanding investment capital for employee ownership through the Ownership Capital Labs, which is advancing shared ownership models. Alison and Andy also talked about the power of employee ownership, the cash collateral program, and the beauty of the employee ownership space. There is a lot of value in this episode; enjoy the show!

Key Takeaways:

•  Alison's inspiration to co-found Project Equity
• The real power of ownership through the lens of employee ownership
• Impacts of collective groups of employee-owned businesses on the local economy
• About the cash collateral program
• Reorder of steps in the process of employee ownership
• Bridging the gap for employee ownership with Ownership Capital Labs
•  Alison's advice for business owners about employee ownership

About Alison Lingane

Alison Lingane is a dedicated social entrepreneur who spent her career leveraging business. Ten years ago, she co-founded a non-profit called Project Equity, an organization that has been promoting employee ownership. She also expanded from Project Equity to investment capital for employee ownership through the Ownership Capital Labs.

Connect with Alison Lingane

• Website: https://ownershipcapitallab.capital/ 

Connect with Andy Farquharson:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/  
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq  
•  Website - https://abettermonday.me/  
• Email - [email protected]  

Episode Summary:
In this episode of The Alternative Exit Podcast, Andy Farquharson interviews Drew Mousetis, the Executive Director of Tandem Centre for Shared Business Success. Drew shares his experience working in Cargas and how the company helped him become an expert in direct employee ownership.

He shared the benefits of direct employee ownership and the powerful impact of keeping businesses community-centered. They also talked about the stock grant program, educating employees about the company's financial and operational data, and the five different stages of employee ownership. Listen and hear Drew's inspiring stories and value in this field. Enjoy the show!

Key Takeaways:

• The concept of shared success for all employees
•  Benefits of direct employee ownership to Drew while in Cargas
•  Guiding principles of direct employee ownership
• Train employees to learn and understand the company's financial and operational data
• How the Employee Stock Ownership Plan differs from other models of employee ownership
• The five different stages of employee ownership

About Drew Mousetis

Drew Mousetis is a leader in the field of employee ownership. He is the Executive Director of Tandem Centre for Shared Business Success, and he previously worked extensively with Cargas. With Cargas, Drew helped the company to transition towards an employee-owned company. Now, at Tandem, his mission is to help companies create lasting legacies through direct employee ownership.

Connect with Drew Mousetis

• Website - https://www.tandemcenter.org/ 
  
  

Connect with Andy Farquharson:

• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/ 
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq 
•  Website - https://abettermonday.me/ 
• Email - [email protected]