Skip to content
Gallery
Alternative Exit Overview
Alternative Exit Overview
Alternative Exit - Overview
Podcast Operations
Episode Management
Untitled page
Share
Explore
Episode Management

201124 | Beth Spong

"Today, we’re joined by Beth Spong with us, the CEO of Dean’s Beans Organic Coffee, she has a career working in the non-profit space and is a respected leader in the field of employee ownership.
Beth has overseen the transition of this business from founder-led businesses to employee-owned models and has obtained a deep understanding of how these transitions can foster sustainability, equity, and engagement in the workplace.
As a prominent voice in the employee ownership community, she’s contributed to reshaping the narrative around worker empowerment and shared governance.
Beth, welcome to the Alternative Exit!

Interview Questions:

You’ve been instrumental in guiding businesses through the transition to employee ownership. What excited you about taking on this challenge at Deans Beans?
(Encourages Beth to share her personal journey and motivations.)
Office team, workflow, workflow, production
Different options > didn’t want to be that guy.
He wanted to preserve the mission, look after employees and the local community
Could he sell to someone he trusted? He wasn’t the right fit
A fear/concerns as to whether they can run
Co-op development insitutte, CDI.
15 months for the transition
the date moved multiple times. how did they define readiness.
Valutaiton purchase price established, potential funders.
NE fund. 60%, 40% of the
A whole structure to support them.
Guided through the entire process
Rob Brown, explained what it means - challenges, space, information. Everyone raised their hand
Steering committee, weekly
By laws
legal doc, filed in the
Decision making, still a hierarchy
3 lanes
CEO, operational, team, managers and board
Board, strategy, planning & policy. Benefits. 6 members, 5 member owners + Dean. People can come and contribute.
Entire team - democratic
Test for significance > Co-op
does it affect survivable
character
who/how they hire and fire
Test for extensiveness > Board
a large number
Resources
Long period of time
periodic full team meetings
chaired by CDI, an example of growth.
Finance the deal
Fair trade coffee
What were some of the key challenges and successes in that process?
(This allows Beth to delve into a specific case and share practical insights from this significant transition.)
Engaging Employees and have them take a new role is key, many employees actually shun the opportunity to join a co-op or what were some of the challenges in having the employees transition to becoming
(Focuses on key elements such as culture, governance, and leadership development.)
Your work touches on both employee ownership and broader workplace democracy. How do you see these two concepts working together to create more equitable and sustainable businesses?
(Explores the relationship between employee ownership structures and workplace democracy principles.)
You’ve been part of discussions around new economic models that prioritize shared ownership and governance. What trends or innovations in this space are you most excited about?
(Allows Beth to discuss emerging ideas and her vision for the future of worker ownership and cooperative models.)
What advice would you give to business owners or founders who are considering transitioning to a cooperative or employee-owned model? What should they prioritize during this process?
(Provides practical advice based on Beth’s extensive experience with ownership transitions.)
Biggest challenge
Mindful of company culture,
mentality of employee to ownership
Communication, providing an invitation for people to step forward
Employees behaviour
Strong stable team, a lot of passion and commitment from our staff
people feel more comfortable asking questions and concerns
Have power with people, stepping into the conversation

Fast round
Fast round of questions. I ask you a 3 questions and you offer a quick response. Does that sound ok?
Who is the leader you most admire in EO? John Abrams. My hero.
What is your favourite resource on employee ownership? South Mountain Website, National Federation, CDI, co
What would you say to an business owner sitting on the fence re: a transition to employee ownership. Here;s the deal, lots of business of owners wait with assumptions
less than 20% of businesses who are marketed actually sell
family transitions only happen 15% of the
Business owners tend to overvalue their business.
Deans
Beans.com
⁠
⁠
instagram

Thank you.

Thank you so much for your time and sharing your thoughts with us today.
Books -
Where can people follow you if they would like to learn more?



Want to print your doc?
This is not the way.
Try clicking the ⋯ next to your doc name or using a keyboard shortcut (
CtrlP
) instead.