Mission-driven for-profit entrepreneurs often face the tough task of deciding how to balance mission protection with growth. In this blog series, we will explore how traditional corporate entities can anchor their mission in the corporate DNA. In the initial three posts, we will discuss mission-anchoring strategies including: golden or veto share; voting trusts or voting …
What 18,000 crunches taught me about the practice of law
Roughly one year ago I set out to develop a new routine – 50 core exercise repetitions per day (e.g. 50 crunches, bicycle sit-ups, etc.). This routine took me approximately two minutes per day. Over the last year, I found myself doing many of these sets at 9:30 pm, right before bed, in a hospital …
Mission Protection Mechanisms for For-Profit Entities
Mission protection for socially driven businesses can be structured in numerous ways and formats: by tweaking the existing framework of a traditional for-profit corporate form; by combining two corporate structures and form a hybrid entity; and lastly, by choosing a new or alternative entity type, such as a public benefit corporation or public benefit cooperative, …
The New Trusts: Democratic Ownership Beyond the ESOP
This webinar on emerging explorations on trust structures—their promise and their problems features Nathan Schneider (University of Colorado Boulder), Christopher Michael (Christopher Michael P.C.), Camille Kerr (Upside Down Consulting), Derek Razo (Purpose Ventures), Sara Stephens (Sustainable Economies Law Center), and our very own Jason Wiener (Jason Wiener | p.c.). A new generation of lawyers, investors, …
The Race to the Top
It’s an exciting time for shared ownership. Today in Colorado, Governor Polis signed an executive order creating the Commission on Employee Ownership. Our team is obviously thrilled about what this could mean for shared ownership and unlocking its power to address economic inequality and stagnant wages. In recognition of the moves being made in Colorado, …
Private Placement Exemptions: The Basics
Looking to raise capital? Developing a compliance strategy with federal and state securities laws is a complex and important part of raising money. A quick intro for those of you unfamiliar with securities laws – under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) any offering of securities is subject to registration requirements and anti-fraud provisions. …
Business Plan Outline
Overview/Executive Summary: can be one paragraph or more extensive as needed. Description of the Business: purpose, goals, objectives. Products/Services: What will the business be providing to its members and/or to the public? Consider whether this is different in the short term versus the long term. The Market: Who are the potential customers, including, demographics (type …
Do I need a business plan?
Here at Jason Wiener PC, we get asked all the time about the process for starting a new business or converting to a different form of business. One of the first questions we ask any client is “Do you have a business plan?” I would estimate that six or seven times out of 10, the …
2018 Public Benefit Report
It’s a wonderful thing to step back and reflect on the previous year. Take a pause from our busy lives and ask “how’d we do?” That’s exactly what we did recently as we compiled our 2018 Public Benefit Report. This report is a requirement of being a “public benefit corporation,” like we are. Writing the …
Colorado’s Digital Token Act Solidifies its Commitment to Innovative Business
Cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokens, consensus mechanisms, hashes, digital signatures, decentralized marketplaces – there is a whole new taxonomy being developed to govern emerging digital marketplaces and Colorado has decided that its regulatory framework needs an upgrade to match. The newly passed Colorado Digital Token Act, which Governor Polis is expected to sign, aims to clarify the …
