If the 18th century can be defined as the age of industrialization and competitive advantage of the nation state, the 19th century by the power of the corporation, and the 20th by corporate financialization, then, I believe, the 21st century will be defined by ownership.
“Members Only” Video Series: Interview with Shane Gring (Certainly)
Welcome to our Members Only video series, where we interview clients about the impact of shared ownership and the cooperative business model. Come along to hear from owners and cooperators about their challenges and experiences. ************** In our very first Members Only interview, Jason Wiener spoke with Shane Gring, Co-Founder and first Board President of …
Alternate Equity Structures: A Flexible Pathway to Employee Ownership
Colorado’s new Alternate Equity Structures (AES) are reshaping employee ownership. By going beyond traditional stock, AES give workers real stakes – whether through profit interests, phantom equity, or stock options – while requiring genuine rights and participation. This new blog post, by Jason Wiener, explores how AES work, why they matter, and how companies can creatively overcome governance challenges to build sustainable, shared ownership.
U.S. Digital Finance Takes Center Stage: Key Takeaways from the White House and SEC’s Latest Push
The White House and SEC just unveiled a coordinated strategy to lead the future of digital assets—from stablecoins to token compliance and blockchain infrastructure. If you're a founder, investor, or builder in Web3, this marks a pivotal moment to align your roadmap with emerging federal frameworks.
COOP OF THE MONTH – AUGUST 2025
AORTA is a 10-member, worker-owned cooperative of facilitators, coaches, and consultants helping 80+ organizations and hundreds of individuals build leaderful movements for justice. Rooted in liberatory practice, they deliver bespoke facilitation, coaching, and trainings that center accessibility, participatory design, and navigating complex power dynamics. Collective governance shapes their client work, while weekly check-ins and quarterly “dream weeks” sustain culture. Their mission: turn conflict into connection and accelerate coordinated, values-aligned action.
What Is QSBS 2.0? A Smarter Approach to Startup Tax Planning
Founders and early investors—are you leaving millions on the table? Our latest blog breaks down QSBS 2.0, a smarter, forward-thinking approach to the Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exclusion under Section 1202 of the IRS code.
With the potential to eliminate up to 100% of capital gains taxes on stock sales, QSBS is one of the most powerful yet underused tax benefits in startup land. QSBS 2.0 lays out a three-pillar strategy: Plan Early, Track Diligently, and Preserve Strategically—giving you the tools to build with tax optimization in mind from day one.
From Candidate to Member: How Co-ops Can Onboard New People Without Losing Their Balance
🕒 3-Minute Read
A candidate period isn’t just a formality—it’s a powerful way to make sure new members are ready for the responsibilities of ownership, and that your co-op is ready for them.
In this article, Jacqueline Radebaugh explains how co-ops can structure this process, what rights candidates should (and shouldn’t) have, and share a visual flowchart to guide the journey.
PRESS RELEASE: Jason Wiener | p.c. Celebrates Becoming a Woman-Owned Law Firm
DENVER, CO – August 11th, 2025 – Jason Wiener | p.c. proudly celebrates its certifications as Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and Women’s Business Enterprise (WBCEN WBE) under the leadership of Managing Partner Jacqueline Radebaugh, who acquired a majority stake in the firm in September 2024. This significant milestone, achieved nearly one year after the ownership …
COOP OF THE MONTH – JULY 2025
CoLab Cooperative is a worker-owned tech co-op that builds complex websites and custom applications for mission-driven organizations. Founded on principles of equity, collaboration, and purpose, CoLab operates without managers, values consensus decision-making, and prioritizes work-life balance and ethical client partnerships. With members across five continents, they combine senior-level tech expertise with a deep commitment to social and environmental impact—helping build a better world by empowering those working for justice and sustainability.
Cooperative State Statutes
What kinds of cooperatives can legally form in your state? In this timely overview, Linda Phillips breaks down the patchwork of cooperative statutes across the U.S., from agriculture-only laws to flexible frameworks like the ULCAA. With examples from Colorado and Guam, she illustrates how communities are navigating legal pathways to support diverse cooperative models.
Organizational and Legal Oversights; Legal Audits
During some recent engagements with new clients, we discovered they were missing key pieces of legal infrastructure or overlooking certain registration requirements. Because situations like this aren’t uncommon among small businesses, particularly when resources are low and growth is fast, we thought it was an important subject to discuss with all of our readers. So …