In this episode of the Mechanism Podcast, Vincent Sagisi is joined by Jen Guarino, president and CEO of Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC), to explore ownership, authority, and worker voice in textile manufacturing. From co-ops and ESOPs to ISAIC’s Employee Business Unit (EBU) model, Jen breaks down how factories can share profit, decision-making, and power—without sacrificing performance.

Through real worker stories and examples from groups like the Democracy at Work Institute, the conversation highlights what it takes to build democratic workplaces that are both equitable and economically sustainable. The big takeaway: when workers understand the business, help shape decisions, and share in the upside, factories become stronger, more resilient, and more human.

To learn more about the guests featured on this episode, visit:

Mechanism (mechanism.community)

Industrial Sewing and Innovation Center (ISAIC) (isaic.org)

Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) (institute.coop)