Whether you own a Los Angeles County business, advise local business owners or want a thriving economy, find out how employee ownership can work for you.   

The Department of Economic Opportunity, in partnership with Project Equity, is helping business owners explore their option to sell their company to their employees while preserving jobs and sustaining wealth opportunities. Employee Ownership (EO) is a proven strategy where business owners, looking to secure the sale of their business, can be assisted with no cost and free consultation services that can help you: 

• By helping you identify the fair market value and worth of your business seeking to be sold. 
• Be supported in preserving your businesses legacy by keeping your company locally rooted and sustain quality jobs. 
• Be assisted in engaging and retaining employees who are interested in buying and preserving your business. 

Employee Ownership is part of LA County’s Economic Mobility Initiative (EMI) which is a $25 million investment of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support the startup and growth of local entrepreneurs, businesses, and nonprofits start, grow and stay in the County. EMI will be facilitated in partnership with 15 local community organizations and will focus on serving women-led and Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses and connecting them to wealth-building opportunities. Click here to learn more about EMI.

EO Journey Map

Discover the Power of Employee Ownership Services

“Whether you own a Los Angeles County business, advise local business owners or want a thriving economy, find out how employee ownership can work for you.” 

Are you a Los Angeles County business owner looking for tools to retain employees or build a succession plan? Are you beginning to consider retiring or transitioning your business to another owner?  

The perfect buyer for your company may be the ones you work with every day, and the perfect employee engagement strategy might be to give them a stake in your business’ future. 

Employee Benefits   33% Higher Median Income   92% Higher Household Network   53% Longer Job Tenure

Business Benefits   67% Report Higher Productivity   46% Longer Employee Retention   8.5% Higher Profit Margins

Free Consultation

The process begins with a free consultation, in which you can learn about employee ownership models and explore the fit with your goals and needs.

Consultations are conversations with you to understand your unique circumstances and goals, determine your projected timing, and explore how employee ownership could fit into your plans. Schedule a free consultation with Project Equity here.

Employee Ownership Events

You can also learn more by registering for one of our upcoming educational virtual webinars.

• Register here for our How to Retain Employees Through Employee Ownership session on May 21st at 12 PM
• Register here for our How to Sell Your Restaurant to your Employees session on June 18th at 12 PM
• Register here for our How to Sell Your Manufacturing Business to Your Employees on July 16th at 12 PM

You may also learn more about our program at DEO’s upcoming LA Region Small Business Summits.

Thursday, May 9, 2024 Expo Opens: 8:30 am Event: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Mission College 13356 Eldridge Ave, Sylmar, CA 91342 Featuring LA County Board of Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 Expo Opens: 8:30 am Event: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Cal State Los Angeles 5151 State University Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90032 Featuring a fireside chat with Mayor Karen Bass

Register today by clicking here, today! 

Free Office Hours

Visit our Office of Small Business team every first Wednesday of the month at the East LA Entrepreneur Center located at 4716 East Cesar E. Chavez Avenue Building B for monthly office hours.

EO Launch Event – Giroux Glass

The EO launch event on was held on November 29 at Giroux Glass, a glass, glazing, and architectural metals contracting company located in the Second Supervisorial District that provides services in the commercial, retail, and luxury sectors. Giroux Glass is a 100% employee-owned, also known as Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP).