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Bicycle For The EO Mind

Bicycle For The EO Mind

Written by: Zolidar
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 Most small and medium businesses (SMB) struggle to sell — employee ownership is a proven exit path. Hear real stories from business owners who transitioned through employee ownership. Whether you're an owner, advisor, or investor, we dive into expert insights, practical strategies, and how technology is reshaping exit planning.2025 Zolidar, Inc. Economics
Episodes
  • Ownership Matters: Designing Trust and Participation in Online Communities

    Ownership Matters: Designing Trust and Participation in Online Communities
    Aug 22 2025
    Meet Nathan Schneider (Assistant Professor, University of Colorado Boulder; Board Member, Start.coop). In this episode, we dig into how small business owners can make employee ownership (EO) a realistic exit path—and why Zolidar is designing a Wikipedia-inspired EO community to keep fragmented information fresh, accurate, and community-owned. We talk frankly about the hard parts of building participatory spaces and multi-sided commons: the need for clear early scaffolding (sometimes top-down) so participation matters from day one, and how the right software becomes an “Iron Man suit” for owners, advisors, and employees moving from curiosity to transaction.Some takeaways:Why a Wikipedia-style knowledge layer is key for EO: freshness, accuracy, and shared ownership of informationParticipation is hard: pragmatic scaffolding early on so people actually contribute and benefitTech as a thought partner: a platform layer that speeds trust, widens reach, and supports real transactionsDay-one value design: seed content and peer owner stories so first visits create momentumRight-sized governance for SMBs: don’t rewrite every rule—shift accountability and keep participation lightweightWhere the numbers work: tools that surface financially sound EO deals and run them on familiar professional railsClick here to watch this episode on the Zolidar YouTube Channel. MAILBAG | GET IN TOUCH WITH US We'd love to feature your voice in an upcoming mailbag episode! Have a question for us? Leave a voicemail at 650-203-6565, or send an email to social@zolidar.com. Remember, voicemails make for more engaging episodes—we want to hear your actual voice!ZOLIDAR LINKS:https://zolidar.comhttps://zolidar.com/podcasthttps://zolidar.com/bloghttps://zolidar.com/grid/person/allZOLIDAR FEATURES:https://zolidar.com/exit-plan-guidehttps://zolidar.com/exit-financial-planhttps://zolidar.com/dashboard?zolidai=trueZOLIDAR SOCIAL MEDIA:https://www.linkedin.com/company/zolidar/https://www.youtube.com/@zolidarhttps://x.com/zolidarhttps://www.instagram.com/zolidar_comhttps://www.facebook.com/zolidarioCHAPTERS (00:00) - Introduction to Nathan Schneider (00:24) - Exploring the Intersection of Technology & Social Change (02:07) - The Twitter Campaign and Platform Cooperativism (03:34) - Building New Digital Communities: The Case of Social.coop (05:02) - Cultivating Community in Online Spaces (06:49) - Diversity in Shared Ownership Models (08:28) - The Challenge of Stakeholder Ownership (09:47) - Shifting Accountability: From Shareholders to Stakeholders (10:25) - Aligning Incentives in Cooperative Structures (12:36) - High Fidelity Democracy: Liquid Democracy and Citizen Assemblies (14:42) - Designing Participatory Spaces for Community Engagement (16:22) - Success Metrics in Shared Ownership Models (20:01) - The Power of Ownership and Participation (23:14) - Navigating Fragmentation in Employee Ownership (25:37) - Scaling Employee Ownership Awareness (27:29) - Policy and Technology: A Dual Approach (30:14) - Building Trust in Online Communities (35:10) - The Importance of Governance in Online Spaces (37:38) - Podcast Outro CONNECT WITH NATHAN SCHNEIDERNathan SchneiderREFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE:Namaste SolarStart.coopClick here to view the episode transcript. © Copyright 2025 Zolidar, Inc.Note: This podcast is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host or Zolidar.LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2605NdSV35dhgtuB6cETBo?si=v9EdSd4iTDa7GDp4cxISTQ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ownership-matters-designing-trust-and-participation/id1793273251?i=1000723116922 YouTube: https://youtu.be/d3hvknFTTMQ Audible/Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e9fe6479-8499-4a29-9b51-cc164d686d79/episodes/6844010c-769e-48b1-8abd-fbbc4273db8c/bicycle-for-the-eo-mind-ownership-matters-designing-trust-and-participation-in-online-communities YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=d3hvknFTTMQ&si=wcgh0GNzH5LnX3eb Pandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/bicycle-for-the-eo-mind/ownership-matters-designing-trust-and-participation-in-online-communities/PE:1319560595?part=ug-desktop&corr=210763187052618403 PocketCasts: https://pocketcasts.com/podcasts/62832590-c704-013d-7d6f-0affcdcd4ef3/459eb03f-cc06-4f34-aa14-64ed0db0fbd6
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    38 mins
  • How a $50M Science Ed Company Used a Perpetual Purpose Trust for Succession

    How a $50M Science Ed Company Used a Perpetual Purpose Trust for Succession
    Jul 31 2025
    Meet David Vernier, founder of Vernier Science Education, a 43-year-old education technology company serving science teachers that transitioned to a Perpetual Purpose Trust (PPT) in January 2024. With over 100 employees and $50M in annual revenue, Vernier's transition offers valuable insights for business owners considering employee ownership alternatives.Some takeaways:How a CEO's retirement announcement after 30 years with the company became the catalyst for exploring various exit optionsWhy the Perpetual Purpose Trust model appealed to Vernier after considering ESOPs, strategic sales, and other optionsThe creative financing structure: founders donated 50% of their shares while creating seller financing for the remainderHow maintaining company culture, including daily sports activities, sustainability initiatives, and a family-like atmosphere was central to their exit planningThe dual challenges of transitioning ownership while navigating post-pandemic supply chain disruptions that affected company valuationClick here to watch this episode on the Zolidar YouTube Channel. MAILBAG | GET IN TOUCH WITH US We'd love to feature your voice in an upcoming mailbag episode! Have a question for us? Leave a voicemail at 650-203-6565, or send an email to social@zolidar.com. Remember, voicemails make for more engaging episodes—we want to hear your actual voice!ZOLIDAR LINKS:https://zolidar.comhttps://zolidar.com/podcasthttps://zolidar.com/bloghttps://zolidar.com/grid/person/allZOLIDAR FEATURES:https://zolidar.com/exit-plan-guidehttps://zolidar.com/exit-financial-planhttps://zolidar.com/dashboard?zolidai=trueZOLIDAR SOCIAL MEDIA:https://www.linkedin.com/company/zolidar/https://www.youtube.com/@zolidarhttps://x.com/zolidarhttps://www.instagram.com/zolidar_comhttps://www.facebook.com/zolidarioCHAPTERS (00:00) - The Journey of Vernier Science Education (05:40) - Exploring Ownership Transitions (10:52) - Understanding Perpetual Purpose Trusts (20:07) - Navigating Financial Challenges (28:09) - Leadership Changes and Future Directions (41:59) - Introduction and Call to Action (42:46) - Podcast Outro CONNECT WITH VERNIER SCIENCE EDUCATIONVernier Science EducationREFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE:David Vernier (Founder)Natalie Reitman-White (Purpose Owned, Purpose Trust Ownership Network)Peter Koehler (Lumo Group)Organically Grown Company (Peer PPT company)Local Ocean Seafoods (PPT restaurant)DAVID'S FAVORITE QUOTE "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans."Click here to view the episode transcript. © Copyright 2025 Zolidar, Inc.Note: This podcast is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host or Zolidar.LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2flY9px357tBles6PreW3R?si=6SAkFDemQeCwCf7w478CVA Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-a-%2450m-science-ed-company-used-a/id1793273251?i=1000720145349 YouTube: https://youtu.be/Nx9E-g-mNxE Audible/Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com.mx/podcasts/e9fe6479-8499-4a29-9b51-cc164d686d79/episodes/b3141326-3ce8-41b6-a826-624d5609ad1a/bicycle-for-the-eo-mind-how-a-50m-science-ed-company-used-a-perpetual-purpose-trust-for-succession YouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx9E-g-mNxE&si=vvHI0hsBhd4cq5hV Pandora: https://pandora.app.link/ocAgTPnJsVb PocketCasts: https://pca.st/tusa7mwk
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    43 mins
  • A Value Driven Exit: How a Financial Advisory Firm Became a Perpetual Purpose Trust

    A Value Driven Exit: How a Financial Advisory Firm Became a Perpetual Purpose Trust
    Jul 30 2025
    Meet Michael Kramer from Natural Investments, a financial advisory firm specializing in socially responsible investing that transitioned to a Perpetual Purpose Trust (PPT) in 2023. After joining as the firm's third financial advisor in 2000, Michael served as managing partner from 2007 to 2023 before becoming a trust steward and manager during their innovative ownership transition.Some takeaways:How the growing valuation of their successful firm made traditional succession planning impossible, as younger advisors couldn't afford to buy inWhy they rejected lucrative acquisition offers from larger firms to preserve their mission of "using money as a tool for social change"Their creative financing approach: borrowing from RSF Social Finance for the down payment, with customized promissory notes for each exiting partnerHow they decoupled governance from ownership by creating a Trust Stewardship Committee with 3-year rotating terms to increase diversity in leadershipThe importance of early stakeholder engagement in the transition process to gain buy-in and incorporate diverse perspectivesClick here to watch this episode on the Zolidar YouTube Channel. MAILBAG | GET IN TOUCH WITH US We'd love to feature your voice in an upcoming mailbag episode! Have a question for us? Leave a voicemail at 650-203-6565, or send an email to social@zolidar.com. Remember, voicemails make for more engaging episodes—we want to hear your actual voice!ZOLIDAR LINKS:https://zolidar.comhttps://zolidar.com/podcasthttps://zolidar.com/bloghttps://zolidar.com/grid/person/allZOLIDAR FEATURES:https://zolidar.com/exit-plan-guidehttps://zolidar.com/exit-financial-planhttps://zolidar.com/dashboard?zolidai=trueZOLIDAR SOCIAL MEDIA:https://www.linkedin.com/company/zolidar/https://www.youtube.com/@zolidarhttps://x.com/zolidarhttps://www.instagram.com/zolidar_comhttps://www.facebook.com/zolidarioCHAPTERS (00:00) - Introduction to Natural Investments and Transition Planning (02:53) - Challenges in Business Ownership and Succession (05:27) - Exploring Alternative Ownership Structures (08:09) - Values Alignment in Consulting and Decision Making (11:05) - Maintaining Culture and Legacy During Transition (13:33) - Financial Considerations and Valuation Process (16:34) - Financing the Transition and Community Impact (18:59) - Normalizing Financials and Predicting Growth (21:54) - Aha Moments in Trust Stewardship and Governance (31:15) - Leadership Development and Trust Stewardship (32:30) - Defining Purpose and Objectives (34:15) - Governance Structures and Legal Frameworks (37:02) - Navigating Legal Documentation (38:36) - Financial Planning and Scenario Modeling (39:07) - Preparing for Worst-Case Scenarios (41:45) - Engaging Stakeholders in the Transition (43:47) - Reflections on the Transition Process (46:09) - Future Goals and Technology's Role (48:38) - Advice for Business Owners on Exiting (54:48) - Podcast Outro CONNECT WITH NATURAL INVESTMENTSNatural InvestmentsREFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE:Michael Kramer (Former Managing Partner, Trust Steward)RSF Social Finance (Lender)Organically Grown Company (PPT Pioneer)Lumo Group and Purpose Owned (Consultants)The Resilient Investor (Book)MICHAEL'S FAVORITE QUOTE "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." - Henry David ThoreauClick here to view the episode transcript. © Copyright 2025 Zolidar, Inc.Note: This podcast is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views expressed in this episode are solely those of the guest(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the host or Zolidar.LISTEN ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/386mgvtP4NU6P4ZWnxccvr?si=FDlB-02ARUao2O9pbnAavg Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-value-driven-exit-how-a-financial-advisory/id1793273251?i=1000719752190YouTube: https://youtu.be/UIzvXfi87VEYouTube Music: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=UIzvXfi87VE&si=T7iH7144yWYgyyvaAudible/Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e9fe6479-8499-4a29-9b51-cc164d686d79/episodes/b1f123af-56bd-46e5-b847-40e6366c1379/bicycle-for-the-eo-mind-a-value-driven-exit-how-a-financial-advisory-firm-became-a-perpetual-purpose-trustPandora: https://www.pandora.com/podcast/bicycle-for-the-eo-mind/a-value-driven-exit-how-a-financial-advisory-firm-became-a-perpetual-purpose-trust/PE:1319337804?part=ug-desktop&corr=210763187052618403 PocketCasts: https://pca.st/jv9567q0
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    55 mins
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