MicroBrewr 046: Start your brewery as a worker-owned co-op
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The cooperative business model is gaining popularity. Even many craft breweries are forming as co-ops. If you want to form your brewery as a co-op, Janelle Orsi, Executive Director of Sustainable Economies Law Center, in Oakland, California can answer your questions.
The cooperative business model is still relatively unknown. A worker-owned “co-op” is usually democratically organized, so each employee gets a vote on business decisions and elections for the board of directors. Employees earn dividends based on patronage—the amount of time they have invested in the business, rather the amount of money they have invested.
Other podcasts about breweries as co-ops:
MicroBrewr 047: Proof of concept for a brewpub co-op
MicroBrewr 049: Planning California’s first cooperative brewpub
Cooperative businesses provide many benefits to society:
- The work source is stable because the employees aren’t as at-risk of layoff.
- Profits stay in the local economy, rather than going to faraway shareholders.
- Customers are happier because they know the product is made by sustainable jobs.
Cooperative businesses experience many benefits:
- Decisions are made from many contributors.
- Don’t have to pay double taxes like C-Corporations.
- Workers are happier because they have a say in their environment.
“If we buy beer from a worker-owned cooperative, we’re actually reversing the flow of wealth.” [Tweet This]
Listener question:
If you could ask one question to every brewer or brewery owner, what would you ask? Let me know.
Book recommendation:
Check out the entire list of recommended books, click here.
An upcoming beer style:
Pale Ale
Other resources:
- Beer geeks’ dream: A Full Barrel co-op, Sally Pollak, Burlington (Vt.) Free Press, USA Today, September 9, 2014.
- Co-op Breweries: Craft Beer in The New Economy, Joshua Nelson, Post Growth, February 22, 2013.
- A New Way to Get Your Brew: Start (or Join!) a Brewpub Co-op, Emma Christensen, The Kitchn, February 14, 2013.
- New Belgium Brewing becomes a 100% employee-owned company, Adam Nason, Beerpulse.com, January 15, 2013.
- Tapping Community, a rise in community-supported breweries is a good thing for craft beer, and for communities, Whit Richardson, All About Beer Magazine, September 1, 2012.
You can reach Janelle Orsi and Sustainable Economies Law Center at:
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Good overview of cooperative business model. Thanks!
Thanks Noelle! Stay tuned for the next few episodes, this episode starts a series on breweries as co-ops.
I just received my FREE Audible book just by signing up. 🙂 super excited to listen to “The Longest Ride”. Great Podcast, I enjoyed listening !! Maybe one time you can talk about Gluten free beer.. I love beer but I am gluten intolerant 🙁
Thanks Danylle. I’m glad you were able to benefit from the program with Audible. I’ll try to find a brewery to talk about GF beer. I also want to talk to some cideries, about cider (also gluten-free).