SUMMARY: In this episode of Owners at Work, we sit down with Zoe Schlag of Common Trust and Mark Hand of the Purpose Trust Ownership Network (PTON) to explore the growing momentum behind Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs) in the U.S. Zoe shares her journey from early-stage and impact investing to co-founding Common Trust, an organization dedicated to helping mission-driven businesses transition to employee ownership through EOTs. Mark—an academic and advocate for purpose-driven ownership—discusses his research and organizing work around EOTs, including the founding of PTON and his weekly newsletter The Stakeholder. Together, Zoe and Mark break down how EOTs offer a flexible, affordable, and values-aligned pathway to employee ownership—often well-suited for founders who want to preserve mission, reward employees, and avoid traditional exit routes like private equity. We hear examples of successful EOT transitions, from Clegg Auto to Live Oak Living and ACP International, and learn how each deal was tailored to meet the unique goals of its founders and workforce. The episode also previews the first PTON conference (slated for early 2026 in Austin). It highlights how peer learning, trust governance, and long-term stewardship are shaping the future of the EOT movement.

OTHER INFO: EOT Case Studies

• Clegg case study

• Text-Em-All story

• ACP International

• LiveOak Living

About EOTs

• ESOP vs. EOT comparison blog

• What is an EOT blog

• Book chapter co-authored by Mark Hand and Zoe Schlag

2026 EOT Conference

• https://trustownership.org/#conference

Websites and Other Resources

• Purpose Trust Ownership Network

• The Stakehold Newsletter

• Common Trust

• Consumer Direct Care Network transitions to an EOT

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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: We are always looking for new employee ownership stories to tell. Please contact us with your story at [email protected]