EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP FOR THE REST OF US

Employee Ownership sounds great - and it is – in fact, it potentially has the power to mitigate much of the risk created by the “Silver Tsunami” of entrepreneurs looking to exit within the next 5 years. But if it is so wonderful, why are only .02% (that’s 2 one hundredths of one percent) of businesses taking advantage of it? Join us for a talk with Mike Balstad about some innovative structures and use cases for broad-based employee ownership that can serve owners interested in pursuing employee ownership; and for whom employee ownership appears to be too costly, complex, and or lacks the flexibility necessary to achieve their specific goals.

Learning Objectives:

  • Gain a high-level grasp of employee ownership, prevalent models, and the ecosystem supporting them
  • Gain an understanding of why, even with support Congressionally mandated by law, the number of active employee-owned businesses has only increased by a TOTAL of approximately 5% between the years 2000 and 2024
  • Why it’s a problem worth fixing
  • How together, we can help your clients avoid the need to compete with all of the other owners trying to sell their businesses in the open market to a limited buyer pool – instead enabling them to get fair full market value, and enjoy the design flexibility to align their employee ownership strategy with their personal, financial, impact, and legacy objectives

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Eastern Time
Where: ON24
Cost: Free
EPI Hours: 1
Register Now

Who Should Attend?

  • Attorneys

    You have close relationships with clients, and can benefit from being the first advisor to introduce the idea of exit planning.

  • CPAs/Accountants

    Owners participating in the State of Owner Readiness research continue to indicate that you are the No. 1 "Most Trusted Advisor." You are a natural fit to lead the exit planning team and deepen your relationship (and retention) of next generation owners.

  • Wealth Managers

    You’re a skilled relationship person. Being entangled into your clients’ professional lives matters as you build a strategy to manage their wealth upon them harvesting it from their business. Exit planning allows you to build a deeper relationship with your client, expands your COI network, while giving you an early seat at table well before the liquidity event.

  • Financial Advisors

    One of the critical ‘legs of the stool’ is personal financing planning. An owner must have a strong financial plan & contingency plan post-transition to enable them to thrive in the next act of the lives personally and financially. Exit planning brings this future mindset into the present. Exit is now.

  • Valuation Analysts

    Valuation is both a billable engagement AND an opportunity to provide owners some perspective on how to accelerate value drivers (and deal with value killers). Use exit planning to make that valuation into a longer term value acceleration engagement.

  • Investment Bankers

    Only 2 of every 10 businesses that come to market actually sell. Learn how exit planning can bring attractive AND ready business to your purview.

  • Estate Planners

    Exit planning is a natural fit for estate planners who want to operate more holistically with their owner clients.

  • Strategic Consultants

    One of the most critical roles in exit planning is building transferable value. Strategic consultants have the ability to expand options and drive rapid business value that affect performance today.

  • Insurance Professionals

    Exit planning addresses the 5 D's. So do you. Approach the risk conversation differently with exit planning.

  • Mergers & Acquisition Advisors

    Proper exit planning causes less deals to fall through at the last minute. Connect with CEPAs to build your healthy deal flow network.

  • Commercial Lenders

    One of the best relationships a business owner makes is with their banker. How can you help your corporate clients think about the future and ensure financial continuity? Answer: exit planning.

  • Family Business Advisors

    More than 50% of lower middle market business owners would prefer to transition to the next generation. Help them succeed with exit planning strategies.

  • Other Professional Advisors

    Regardless of your unique specialty, there is seat at the exit planning table for you. Learn more at www.EarnCEPA.com.

  • Private Business Owners

  • Members of Family Business Boards

  • Professional Advisors

  • Business Consultants

  • Other Business Professionals

  • Business Owners

  • Business Owners & Their Trusted Advisors

EXIT PLANNING IS GOOD BUSINESS STRATEGY

The Exit Planning Institute, provides Financial Advisors, Accountants, Consultants, and other advisors of business owners with the critical education to differentiate themselves and add value to their existing client relationships through a credential, conference, courses, and content. Download the CEPA brochure for more information.

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