« All Events

Built to Last: Business Legacy & Ownership Summit

June 18 @ 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Free

Built to Last: Business Legacy & Ownership Summit

👉 RSVP today to save your spot.

Join us for Built to Last: Business Legacy and Ownership Summit, a full‑day, no‑cost event designed for business owners, employees, lenders, and advisors interested in employee ownership as a pathway to business growth, succession, and long‑term stability.

This summit will feature practical guidance, real‑world examples, and clear next steps for exploring employee ownership models that help businesses stay local, retain jobs, and build community wealth.

You’ll leave with:

  • A strong understanding of employee ownership and legacy transition options
  • Real examples of how employee ownership supports business continuity and growth
  • Connections to technical assistance providers and financing partners
  • Clear next steps to support stable employment and stronger local economies

👉 RSVP today to save your spot.

Co‑hosted by MN CEO, Northspan, ECRDC, and SBDC.

AGENDA

No cost to attend. Light breakfast and lunch provided.

Thursday, June 18 | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM | Braham Event Center

Whether you’re a business owner thinking about what’s next, an advisor supporting succession planning, or a lender exploring ownership transition tools, this one‑day summit offers real‑world insight, practical guidance, and clear next steps.

Morning Program

9:00–9:30 AM

Registration & Light Breakfast
Arrive early to connect with peers, speakers, and resource partners.

9:30–9:40 AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks
Kirsten Kennedy, Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership (MN CEO)
Setting the stage for a day focused on business legacy, continuity, and ownership.

9:40–10:20 AM

Broad Overview: Paths to Employee Ownership

Kirsten Kennedy (MN CEO) and Char Vrieze
An accessible introduction to employee ownership:

  • What employee ownership is and why it matters
  • Common ownership models
  • When employee ownership is — and is not — a good fit

Ideal for owners just beginning to explore their options.

10:20–11:10 AM

Ownership Panel: Real Stories from the Field

Moderated by Kirsten Kennedy (MN CEO)

Hear directly from business owners and employee‑owners who have lived an ownership transition.

Panelists include:

  • Ben Holder, Plastic Products Company (ESOP)
  • Leah Goldstein‑Moses, Improve Group (Worker‑Owned Cooperative)
  • Kathy Lindo, Lindo Farms
  • Jeremy White, CodeWeavers (Employee Ownership Trust) (pending)

Panelists will discuss motivations, challenges, lessons learned, and business outcomes.

11:10–11:50 AM

Small Business Resource Roundup: Where to Start & How to Get Help

Moderated by Elissa Hansen, Northspan

Quick, practical overviews from the ecosystem of support available to business owners.

Featured resources include:

  • Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
  • East Central Development Partnership (ECDP) (in progress)
  • Chisago County HRA‑EDA
  • LegalCorps
  • SCORE (in progress)
  • DEED Small Business Assistance Office

Learn what each organization does, how to engage, and what to bring to your first meeting.

11:50 AM–12:00 PM

Morning Wrap & Afternoon Track Overview
Elissa Hansen, Northspan
How to choose the right afternoon sessions for your goals.

12:00–1:00 PM

Lunch, Non‑Traditional Lenders & Networking

Connect over lunch and meet organizations supporting ownership transitions and capital access, including:

  • East Central Development Commission
  • Midwest Business Finance Corporation
  • Entrepreneur Fund
  • Initiative Foundation
  • East Central Energy

Afternoon Program

1:00–3:00 PM | Concurrent Tracks

Participants choose one track and stay with it for the afternoon.

Track A: Transactions & Succession Readiness

Room A

1:00–1:50 PM

How to Finance an Ownership Transition
Shared Capital; MCCD (pending)
An overview of financing options, capital stacks, timelines, and lender expectations for ownership transitions.

2:00–2:50 PM

Succession Planning & Valuations
Elissa Hansen and Zack Filipovich, Northspan
How to assess readiness, scope feasibility work, align leadership, and plan phased transitions — including emergency succession essentials.

Track B: Models, Benefits & Getting Started

Room B

1:00–1:50 PM

Choosing a Model: ESOPs, EOTs & Worker‑Owned Co‑ops
Kyla Hansen, JAK CPA; additional speaker pending
A realistic comparison of ownership structures, including costs, timelines, pros and cons, and fit by business type.

2:00–2:50 PM

Getting Started & Clearing Up Misconceptions
Char Vrieze; Kyla Hansen (JAK CPA); Common Trust (pending)
First steps for owners, governance basics, tax highlights, and common myths — including why owners do not have to leave to transition.

Track C: Advisor Edge Clinic

Room C

1:00–2:50 PM

Advisor Edge: Supporting Ownership Transitions
Designed for lenders, accountants, attorneys, and technical assistance providers.

Facilitators include:

  • Kirsten Kennedy (MN CEO)
  • Jeff Cairns, Retired CPA/Attorney (ESOP)
  • Kathy Lindo, SBDC / Family Business Advisor

Practical tools, case examples, and conversation frameworks advisors can use immediately.

Closing

3:00–3:30 PM

Closing Remarks, Valuation Winners & Next Steps
Kirsten Kennedy, MN CEO

Key takeaways, next steps, and wrap‑up.

👉 RSVP today to save your spot.

Co‑hosted by MN CEO, Northspan, ECRDC, and SBDC.

Details

Organizer

Venue