The ICA Group

✨ Solidarity in Action ✨ The Massachusetts worker co-op movement is backing REI workers’ efforts for a fair union contract. Co-ops and unions share a common foundation: worker voice, collective power, and equitable workplaces. As worker-owned businesses strive to build inclusive, thriving economies, supporting workers in all sectors is essential. Solidarity doesn’t stop at the co-op door – it extends to workers fighting for fairness everywhere. Read more about how worker co-ops are standing with REI employees here: 🔗 https://hubs.li/Q02_PmQ20 #WorkerCoops #UnionStrong #CollectivePower #WorkerOwnership #Solidarity

🚀 Calling All Massachusetts Business Owners & Advisors The Amplify LatinX Business Program is here to strengthen and scale Latinx-owned businesses across Massachusetts. Whether you’re a business owner looking to grow or an advisor supporting entrepreneurs, this program offers: ✅ Tailored tools and resources ✅ Expert mentorship ✅ Access to a network of like-minded professionals Join a movement that’s building wealth, resilience, and opportunities for Latinx entrepreneurs in Massachusetts. 📖 Learn more: https://hubs.li/Q02_MJtB0 #MassachusettsBusiness #LatinxEntrepreneurs #SmallBusinessGrowth #AmplifyLatinxBusiness

🏗️ Exciting news in Montgomery County! An employee-owned hardware store is set to transform the former Gold’s Gym location into a thriving cooperative business. This development is a win for the local economy, offering a new model for business ownership that empowers workers and fosters community wealth. Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) Washington Business Journal 🔑 Why this matters: • Employee ownership creates sustainable jobs and shares prosperity. • Supports local economic resilience and community needs. • Highlights the growing trend of co-ops in retail and service sectors. 👏 Congratulations to the new hardware cooperative on this bold step forward. We can’t wait to see how this venture will strengthen Montgomery County! 📖 Read more: https://hubs.li/Q02_MC-40 #EmployeeOwnership #Cooperatives #LocalEconomy #CommunityWealth

Boosting Employee Engagement Without Gimmicks? Let’s Take It Further. This recent Forbes article lays out meaningful strategies for authentic employee engagement: humanizing relationships, fostering autonomy, and demonstrating the value of each role. But what if there was a way to supercharge these strategies, creating a workplace where engagement isn’t an initiative — it’s a given? Enter Employee Ownership. When employees are co-owners, the principles laid out in the article naturally come to life: ✅ Humanize Relationships: Co-ownership builds trust, transparency, and shared purpose — because the success of the team IS the success of the business. ✅ Foster Autonomy: Employee-owners have a voice in decisions that impact their work, leading to genuine buy-in and accountability. ✅ Demonstrate Role Value: Every contribution matters when employees share in the rewards and responsibility of ownership. Employee ownership isn’t a gimmick — it’s a structural solution that deepens engagement, creates lasting commitment, and grows organizational resilience. We’d love to hear from some of the voices featured in this piece: Jay Garcia Group DX Learning Blesatech Consultancy Services Ltd KPMG Best Practice Institute Purpose-Filled Solutions & Evolutions LLC Adam Impact Institute Career Pro Inc. Executive Coaching Space Motiva International Training and Coaching Services Elite Leader Institute IMPAQ International Matrix Achievement Group, LLC Could employee ownership be the next frontier in fostering truly engaged and invested teams? Let’s keep the conversation going. Read the article here 👉 https://hubs.li/Q0306rS80 Explore how EO aligns with these strategies 👉 https://hubs.li/Q0306tlH0 #EmployeeEngagement #EmployeeOwnership #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture

🌱 Big news for the Sand Dunes Mushroom Cooperative! The cooperative has received approval to relocate to a new facility, expanding its capacity to grow sustainably and serve its community. This move marks a milestone in their journey as they continue to focus on producing fresh, organic mushrooms while embodying the cooperative values of shared ownership and local impact. 🔑 Key highlights: • Increased production capacity in a modern facility. • A focus on sustainable practices and community wealth-building. • Strengthening the local food ecosystem in the San Luis Valley. 👏 Congratulations to the Sand Dunes Mushroom Cooperative for paving the way for a resilient and inclusive economy through co-op innovation! 📖 Read more: https://hubs.li/Q02_Mc7-0 #Cooperatives #SustainableFarming #LocalEconomy #FoodSystemsSand Dunes Mushroom Cooperative gets OK to move to new facility - Alamosa County Economic Development Corp.

Willmeng Construction Joins the Employee Ownership Movement” 📢 Exciting news from Phoenix! Willmeng Construction, Inc. has transitioned to an employee-owned model, empowering its workers with a stake in the company’s success. This move reflects a growing trend of businesses recognizing the value of employee ownership to: ✅ Boost worker engagement and retention. ✅ Preserve company culture and values. ✅ Build long-term resilience and shared prosperity. 💡 Employee ownership isn’t just a business strategy—it’s a way to invest in people and ensure sustainable growth. Congratulations to the Willmeng team for leading the way in the construction industry! 👉 Read more about their transition: https://hubs.li/Q02_vbnM0 #EmployeeOwnership #ConstructionIndustry #SharedWealth #WorkerPower #InclusiveEconomy Phoenix Community and Economic Development Greater Phoenix Economic Council Construction Dive

Artisans Build a Cooperative Alternative to Etsy 📢 In a remarkable show of solidarity and innovation, artisans have come together to launch a cooperative platform as an alternative to Etsy. This co-op model prioritizes fair treatment, equitable profits, and democratic governance, empowering makers to truly own their marketplace. https://hubs.li/Q02_vp850 Key features of this cooperative platform: ✅ Decisions made by and for the artisans. ✅ Lower fees and fairer policies than traditional platforms. ✅ A sustainable alternative to corporate-driven e-commerce. 💡 Cooperatives like this one show how collective ownership can disrupt industries and foster inclusive, equitable economies. Congratulations to these artisans for leading the way! 👉 Read more about this inspiring initiative: https://hubs.li/Q02_tS_K0 #WorkerCoops #ArtisanCooperatives #SharedEconomy #InclusiveEconomy #CooperativeEconomy Etsy Next City RANGE Media Start.coop USDA USDA Rural Development Seed Commons

Exploring the Legacy and Future of Black Cooperatives 📢 Don’t miss this insightful conversation with Dr. Jessica Gordon Nembhard, author of Collective Courage, as she delves into the rich history and evolving future of Black cooperatives. Key takeaways from the discussion: ✅ The long-standing role of cooperatives in advancing economic justice in Black communities. ✅ Lessons from the past that inform cooperative strategies today. ✅ The potential of Black cooperatives to close wealth gaps and build collective power. 💡 Cooperatives are not just businesses—they’re tools for social transformation. This article is a must-read for anyone passionate about economic equity and cooperative economics. 👉 Read the full conversation: https://hubs.li/Q02_v3810 #WorkerCoops #BlackCooperatives #EconomicJustice #CollectiveCourage #CooperativeEconomy Nonprofit Quarterly

A Case for Employee Ownership in Connecticut Businesses" 📢 Could employee ownership be the solution to strengthening Connecticut’s economy? This compelling opinion piece highlights the transformative potential of employee ownership for local businesses. Key points include: ✅ Retaining businesses and jobs within communities. ✅ Reducing wealth inequality and empowering workers. ✅ Building resilient companies with engaged, motivated employees. 💡 At ICA, we’ve seen firsthand how employee ownership can drive economic growth and create lasting wealth for workers. Let’s work toward a future where more Connecticut businesses embrace this powerful model. 👉 Read the full article: https://hubs.li/Q02_tdPy0 #EmployeeOwnership #WorkerCoops #EconomicResilience #SharedWealth #ConnecticutEconomy University of Connecticut School of Business Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development

🎥 “Unlocking Social Media Success for Worker Co-ops!” In this 1-minute highlight from our recent LevelUp Co-ops session, Sandy De Jesus shares insights into navigating social media marketing with a practical tool: the “compass.” 📢 Watch the full session to learn how worker co-ops can leverage social media to boost lead generation, enhance engagement, and build stronger brands: https://lnkd.in/ehyHY97c #SocialMediaMarketing #WorkerCoops #LevelUpCoops #ContentStrategy