"Common Trust has been a true partner — helping us fully understand what we were trying to build and how to do it the right way."
Luke Leising
Founder, Guidon
Employee Ownership Trusts
Imagine an ownership transition where everyone wins.
Selling a business is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.
Common Trust helps owners explore and transition to Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs), so they can protect what they’ve built, reward their teams, and move forward with clarity and confidence.
Join the growing movement of employee-owned companies.
Design your transition plan with a trusted Employee Ownership Trust partner.
As the nation’s leader in EOT transactions, we work alongside business owners to objectively evaluate employee ownership, design the right structure for their company, and execute transitions that balance seller outcomes, company stability, and employee success.
$600M+
enterprise value transitioned to employee ownership
60K+
team members brought into employee ownership
93%
client satisfaction from owners across industries and sizes
Selling a business isn’t just a financial decision.
It’s about who carries forward what you’ve built — the company, the culture, and the relationships that don’t always show up in a spreadsheet.
Employee-owned companies see higher engagement and long-term resilience, and an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) provides a practical, flexible structure that protects the business while creating continuity for the team and future leadership.
What an EOT makes possible:
- Fair market value, with control over timing
- A transition that reflects your goals and values
- Confidence in the company’s future as you step away
- Preserve independence
- Cultural and operational continuity
- Long-term alignment beyond the transition
- Meaningful participation in the company's success
- Shared accountability and engagement
- Greater transparency and trust
The EO Planner
Clarity before commitment.
When the decision is this important, you shouldn’t have to rely on an abstract understanding or pressure to move forward.
The EO Planner shows business owners what employee ownership looks like in real numbers — using your goals, your financials, and real transaction experience — so you can evaluate whether an Employee Ownership Trust is the right fit before committing to a deal.
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Preliminary valuation and employee ownership analysis
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Relevant transaction comparables for your industry
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Financial modeling for multiple scenarios (EOT, MBO, and alternative)
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A recommended ownership model aligned with your goals
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Personalized review session with your Common Trust advisor
Our Process
From first call to after the transaction, we’re with you every step of the way.
Employee ownership isn’t a DIY journey.
At Common Trust, we guide owners through their employee ownership options objectively — and when an EOT or MBO makes sense, we support the transition from early planning through long-term ownership.
You don’t have to commit to a structure before you’re ready. Our process is designed to give you clarity first, then the guidance to move forward with confidence.
1
Advisory call
A no-pressure conversation to learn about your goals, timeline, and determine whether employee ownership could be a fit.
2
The EO Planner
A personalized analysis to evaluate ownership options, model scenarios, and understand what’s viable before making commitments.
3
Transaction leadership
When you’re ready, we lead the employee ownership transition — coordinating legal, financial, diligence, and employee onboarding.
4
Ongoing support
After the transaction, we continue to support governance, education, and financial oversight to help the business remain stable over time.
Real outcomes, built through EOTs
Founders across industries have partnered with Common Trust to navigate EOT transitions that protect their teams, preserve independence, and support long-term business stability.
"Our transition to an EOT was well planned and supported by Common Trust. Their experience made the planning and project management process much easier."
Ben Wihebrink
CFO, Cypress Valley Meat Co.
"Our experience with Common Trust started with purpose — with the why behind what we were really trying to do. Leading with how to protect culture and values over time just made a lot of sense."
Rodney Evans
Partner, The Ready
"Their financial backing was helpful, but what we appreciated most was their care and genuine concern. They're people we want to stay connected with forever."
Kevin Clegg
CEO, Clegg Auto
"This is a process you really want to get right. We evaluated many options and Common Trust was definitely the right partner for planning our transition."
Brad Herrmann
CEO & Founder, Text-Em-All
The Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) Playbook
See how business owners are using Employee Ownership Trusts to build sustainable, independent companies — and what to consider as you explore whether employee ownership is right for you.
