We specialize in purposeful and durable company ownership structures.
Your Mission Sustained. Your Future Secured.
You’ve built more than a business. You've created something meaningful and enduring.Our personalized ownership transition process helps responsible business owners like you explore and implement an ownership transition plan that perpetuates your values, honors your team, and secures your future.We specialize in alternative ownership structures that allow you to exit on your own terms, protecting what you’ve built and those who helped build it.
Aligned Ownership is the Foundation of a Great Company.
Hey, I'm Peter.Early in my career I worked for a startup with an ambitious mission to bring healthy food to every neighborhood. Like many startups, we did what you were “supposed to do,” raising venture capital to grow our company and scale our vision.Over the following years, however, growing tension developed between how we wanted to run our business and how our investors wanted us to run the company. Ultimately the company failed, and part of the reason was because of our ownership structure. The investors, who ultimately had control, wanted us to scale in a way that was at odds with our core mission and values.This experience impressed upon me the power of ownership and financing. I realized that you cannot build a great, enduring company unless your ownership and your financing is aligned with your mission and values.
Conventional Ownership is Not a Good Fit for Many Companies
As I began to more deeply explore the puzzle of company ownership vs. purpose, I had three important realizations:(1) Conventional ownership structures that are centered around profit-maximization may not be the right fit for businesses who have a broader set of goals (often focused on purpose, people, and community).(2) Most businesses are small and medium-sized businesses, and most of those businesses are owned by a single founder, or a small group of aligned individuals. Because of this tight-knit ownership structure, these business owners have not had to build unique ownership and financing structures to support their mission and values – they simply live out their vision as the business steward/benevolent dictator.(3) When it comes time for these original founders to move on and transition their ownership, the more conventional paths do not appeal to them, but they feel confused about how to navigate and evaluate alternative ownership structures.I started Stronghold Ownership to help founders navigate the confusing and challenging road of trying to figure out the right purpose-aligned succession strategy for their company, while also achieving their own personal financial and lifestyle goals.
Our Clients
Our typical client is a profitable small or medium sized business who has a reason for existing beyond just maximizing profit.Our clients treat their employees fairly, care about their communities and stakeholders, and act with integrity.Below are some past clients of Stronghold Ownership and our team, with a brief summary of how we supported them:
Andropogon Associates - Ownership design process
Biohabitats - Perpetual purpose trust ownership transition (design and implementation)
Berrett-Koehler Publishers - Mission-aligned fundraising support
Concept2 - Perpetual purpose trust ownership transition (design and implementation)
Country Natural Beef - Mission-aligned ownership and financing support
Freeland Spirits - Mission-aligned fundraising support
Grand Central Bakery - Perpetual purpose trust ownership and financing design
LifeSource Natural Foods - Ownership design process
Local Ocean Seafoods - Employee ownership trust transition
Natural Investments - Employee ownership trust transition
Noto Group - Ownership design process
Organically Grown Company - Perpetual purpose trust transition & associated financing
Philly Foodworks - Advisory support
Treebird Market - Mission-aligned financing support
Vernier Science Education - Perpetual purpose trust transition
Zingerman's Community of Businesses - Perpetual purpose trust implementation
We support businesses across all industries throughout the US and Canada.Due to the sensitive nature of some of the work we do regarding potential ownership transitions and capital raising, some clients have chosen to remain confidential (this includes all in-progress engagements).
Let's talk
Are you interested in working together or learning more about our services?
If so, please email us at hello [at] strongholdownership.com with a brief overview of your company and what you're looking for.If you are a potential fit for our services, then we will schedule a complementary introductory call.
(But wait, there's more!)
Our Podcast & Newsletter: Uncommon BusinessJoin hundreds of other forward-thinking entrepreneurs, business owners, employees, and capital providers who subscribe to Uncommon Business: A newsletter and podcast about businesses and leaders who do things differently.**👇👇👇
You may also subscribe to the Uncommon Business podcast directly on Spotify, Apple, or where you get your podcasts (just search for us!)
Connect with me on LinkedInIf you're on LinkedIn, you can find me here. I post frequently about ownership, capital, leadership, business, and more.
Our Sister Company: Lumo OperationsAn ownership transition often raises important questions beyond just ownership — questions about business strategy, financial performance, leadership succession, or company culture.For companies seeking support on these issues, we may be able to help.Our sister company, Lumo Operations, offers high-impact operations and finance support for responsible companies to set them up for long-term success.
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