Episode 43: Why Business Owners Should Rethink Ownership with John Abrams

The Freedom Experience with Jean Moncrieff

• 53 min

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In this episode of The Freedom Experience, I sit down with John Abrams, founder of <a href="https://www.southmountain.com/" rel="nofollow">South Mountain Company</a> and a pioneer in employee ownership. John transitioned his company into a worker cooperative in the 1980s—long before employee ownership became a mainstream conversation. Now, with his upcoming book, From Founder to Future: A Business Roadmap to Impact, Longevity, and Employee Ownership, he’s on a mission to help more business owners build companies that endure. We explore what it really takes to transition a business from founder-led to employee-owned, the risks of private equity takeovers, and why sharing ownership creates stronger, more resilient companies. 🎥 <a href="https://youtu.be/8Cx8P26KLe4" rel="nofollow">Watch this conversation on YouTube</a>. And SUBSCRIBE! Key Themes: 🔹 The Shift to Employee Ownership John shares his journey of converting South Mountain Company into a worker cooperative and the unexpected benefits it brought—not just for employees but for the company’s long-term success. 🔹 Protecting Your Business from Private Equity Takeovers Many business owners assume selling to private equity is their only option, but John explains how alternative ownership models like ESOPs, worker co-ops, and employee ownership trusts can preserve a company’s mission. 🔹 The Five Transitions to a CommonWealth Company John introduces the concept of CommonWealth Companies and the five critical transitions—Ownership, Leadership, Mission, Governance, and Impact—that can help a business thrive beyond the founder. 🔹 Aligning Business with a Bigger Purpose John discusses how business owners can shift their mindset from chasing short-term growth to creating an enduring company that serves employees, customers, and the community. 🔹 The Future of Employee Ownership With millions of baby boomer business owners retiring, we talk about why employee ownership is gaining traction and how it can reshape the economy by reducing wealth inequality. Quotes from the Episode: 💬 “The mentality of ‘they’ll have to drag me out of here feet first’ is a path to disaster. These transitions take planning.” 💬 “When employees have a stake in the business, they think and act like owners—and that changes everything.” 💬 “Selling to the wrong buyer can leave founders with fat wallets and broken hearts. Employee ownership offers another way.” Links & Resources Mentioned: 🌍 John’s Website: <a href="https://abramsangell.com" rel="nofollow">https://abramsangell.com</a> 📚 From Founder to Future (Book): <a href="https://bit.ly/3C6vyQt" rel="nofollow">https://bit.ly/3C6vyQt</a> 🔗 Connect with John on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-abrams-3bb94683/" rel="nofollow">https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-abrams-3bb94683/</a> 🌍 Project Equity (Employee Ownership Resource): <a href="https://project-equity.org/" rel="nofollow">https://project-equity.org/</a> Actionable Takeaways: ✅ Start planning your business transition before you're ready to retire—separate ownership transition from leadership transition. ✅ Explore alternative ownership models (worker co-ops, ESOPs, EOTs) to see what best aligns with your values and long-term goals. ✅ Think beyond short-term profit—companies that prioritize purpose and shared ownership tend to thrive in the long run. 🎧 If this episode resonated with you, subscribe, share, and leave a review. For more insights on building a business that lasts, visit <a href="https://www.jeanmoncrieff.com/" rel="nofollow">jeanmoncrieff.com</a>.