{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Bicycle For The EO Mind","title":" Why a Bay Area IT Firm Made the Transition From Owner-Operated to Worker-Owned to Secure Its Future","html":"<iframe width=\"100%\" height=\"180\" frameborder=\"no\" scrolling=\"no\" seamless src=\"https://share.transistor.fm/e/78ab67bb\"></iframe>","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2774,"description":"Meet Jerry Skomer, founder of Alternative Technologies, an IT and telecom services company that supports Bay Area nonprofits and progressive businesses. Jerry faced a crucial challenge: how to preserve the company’s values, protect employees’ jobs, and ensure continued community service. His solution? Transforming Alternative Technologies into a worker-owned cooperative. The transition wasn’t easy—COVID-19 included, Jerry financed a third of the sale, structured an earnout over six years, and retained management hiring control for three.\n\nIn this episode, you’ll hear about:\nBalancing Agility and Risk Aversion\nTrusting the Process\nThe Role of a Task Force\nSharing the Risk\n\n\nMAILBAG | GET IN TOUCH WITH US\nWe’d love to feature your voice in an upcoming mailbag episode! Have a question for us? Leave a voicemail at 650-203-6565, or send an email to social@zolidar.com. Voicemails make for more engaging episodes—we want to hear your actual voice!\n\nZOLIDAR LINKS:\nHome Page: https://zolidar.com\nPodcast: https://zolidar.com/podcast\nBlog: https://zolidar.com/blog\nZOLIDAR FEATURES:\nDay Zero Guide: https://zolidar.com/exit-plan-guide\nAha! Planner: https://zolidar.com/exit-financial-plan\nZolid AI: https://zolidar.com/dashboard?zolidai=true\nZOLIDAR SOCIAL MEDIA:\nLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zolidar/\nYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@zolidar\nX: https://x.com/zolidar\nInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/zolidar_com\nFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/zolidario\nCHAPTERS\nKey Terms Used in This Episode:\nEBITDA\nValuation Multiples \nEarnout\nIndicative Valuation\n\nCONNECT WITH ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGIES\nWebsite: https://www.alternativetechs.com/\nZolidar's Community: Alternative Technologies\nREFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE:\nJerry Skomer (Former Owner & President): Jerry Skomer\nShared Capital: Shared Capital Cooperative\nProject Equity: Project Equity\n\n\n© Copyright 2025 Zolidar, Inc.\nNote: This podcast is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/uJqpzIPNlLKXYo1d9uhUg3Vxe9TXy51iWrNAFDOt9V0/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8wYjNm/ZjFhNmMxNmI5ZGNl/YTQwNjYzY2MzN2I4/M2E5MS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}