Tag: business

  • 2026 Worker-Owned Co-op Jumpstart

    2026 Worker-Owned Co-op Jumpstart

    Worker cooperatives are more important than ever, and the Baltimore Roundtable for Economic Democracy (BRED) Cooperative Jumpstart can give you the tools you need to go from ideation to creation. We can work together as a city and region to build a cooperative economy that makes ownership for everyone possible.

    This day is geared towards those who might be co-op curious, or even potentially want to sell their business to their employees. Are you co-op curious?

    Join BRED for a fun-filled day of conversations and workshops about the business of co-ops!

    Topics we will cover include: Starting up, co-op governance, day-to-day decision making, conflict transformation, business models, and so much more! We are ready to help you on your journey.

    Breakfast will be served by Red Emma’s Bookstore and Coffeehouse, and lunch by Mera Kitchen Collective.

    Registration is open, click HERE

    Spanish interpretation will also be available.

    **Childcare is available again this year! If you would like to have your children supervised at Impact Hub during the Jumpstart between 9:30 am and 5:00 pm on Saturday, April 11th, 2026, please complete this request form by April 8th, 2026! Parents and caregivers must also sign in and sign out during drop-off and pick-up times. They will be required to show photo ID at both drop-off and pick-up. Register HERE

    **If you are interested in sharing contact information to stay connected with other attendees post Jumpstart, please do so HERE

    baltimoreroundtable.org IG @bred.baltimore

  • EnviroCollab Reflects On Their Cooperative Conversion

    EnviroCollab Reflects On Their Cooperative Conversion

    https://landscapearchitecturemagazine.org/2025/11/19/a-thousand-percent-worth-it-a-cooperative-tells-its-conversion-story

  • Baltimore’s Co-op Movement Fetured In Baltimore Beat

    How Baltimore became a rising star in America’s worker cooperative movement

  • Red Emma’s Cooperative Featured In Prism Article

    Costa Beavin Pappas writes an article about the importance of independant bookstores and the role they serve during these authoritarian times. One of the bookstores featured is none other than Baltimore’s favorite bookstore, restaurant, and event space, Red Emma’s.

    https://prismreports.org/2025/11/11/independent-bookstores-literature-activism/

  • Reflections From BRED’s 2023 Apprenticeship And Academy Programs

    Reflections From BRED’s 2023 Apprenticeship And Academy Programs

    On Friday, December 15th, participants in our apprenticeship and academy programs met in the Baltimore Free School to reflect on how it went and what the next round could look like. These two programs were headlined by BRED members Trish and Jim, and have been taking place in person and virtually since July. Trish and Jim facilitated the final meeting for the cohorts full of reflection, feedback, and future planning.

    The group invited other BRED members to attend the meeting, and we thought we’d share some takeaways. Overall, these programs had a positive impact, and everyone seemed to enjoy learning, sharing, visiting co-ops in New York, and expanding their co-op knowledge. Other things the cohorts loved were:

    • The stipend provided to the participants was much needed and appreciated by everyone.

    • The flexibility of having online and in-person meetings.

    • seeing so many different size co-ops

    Several people agreed that they wished the programs lasted longer.

    Moving forward there is a plan to explore things like a final project, communication between participants about their co-op events, co-op visits, a weekly email and so much more. Congratulations to the 2023 Apprenticeship and Academy cohorts.

    2023 BRED Apprenticeship and Academy
    2023 BRED Apprenticeship and Academy

  • 2023 Cooperative Jumpstart

    2023 Cooperative Jumpstart

    Spring is right around the corner so it’s almost Jumpstart time! Baltimore Roundtable for Economic Democracy (BRED) will be hosting our 5th annual Cooperative Jumpstart on May 13, 2023! We are excited to bring back this jam-packed day of workshops focused on establishing and running worker cooperatives. Whether you’ve been a worker-owner for years, are thinking about starting a co-op, want to sell your business to your workers, or just want to learn more, this event is for you! Cooperatively-minded workers will be able to learn the basics of cooperative structure and economics, get ideas on how to start or structure their own cooperative, and be able to Q&A with experienced worker-owners!

    Past Co-op Jumpstarts have included panels with long-term worker-owners, in-depth information on how to get your business “breakeven,” and a nuanced look at what happens with worker-owner governance.

    For business owners looking to sell their business but avoid laying off workers, the new highlighted workshops include information on cooperative conversions – there’s something for everyone. Organizations and individuals welcome!

    Please register here. We can’t wait to see you, and keep an eye on our Instagram for updates!