Members of Morning Bell Coffee Roasters worker cooperative pose for a photo with their families.
In October 2020, NCF received an email from Morning Bell Coffee Roasters inquiring about using an NCF-authored brochure called “Small Business Ownership Succession; The Cooperative Solution.” The brochure was created by NCF a number of years ago and intended as an overview on the tax benefits of becoming a worker cooperative. The owner of Morning Bell, Nadav Mer, reached out because he was in the process of developing a feasibility assessment on whether his company could convert to being worker owned and he came across our work. As a cooperative development organization, we jumped at the chance to assist – about taxes and beyond!
Emily Stewart, NCF’s staff expert on worker cooperatives, reached out and scheduled a call to discuss the details of their plan to see if NCF could lend a hand. Over a series of phone calls and emails, NCF learned more from Nadav. He had put together a plan that included steps for employees to purchase the business and property, as well as an outline of governance once the business was worker owned. NCF was able to provide input and guidance on their plan as well as additional resources that might assist in their development.
"During the process of researching the feasibility of a workers cooperative conversion for our family-owned business, Emily provided significant guidance and inspiration. She answered our questions, and gave us more questions and direction for us to work on. Most importantly, she made it clear that a transition was possible, and that it would be potentially quite positive. That discussion helped us do the work to make ourselves ready to transition, and to ease the legal costs and obstacles. She inspires confidence in the possibilities with credibility and panache." – Nadav Mer
NCF is pleased to announce that, a year later, Morning Bell successfully converted to worker ownership. And, it is the first worker cooperative in Iowa! Read more about the Morning Bell Coffee Roaster conversion in this news article.
As cooperative developers, NCF strives to provide expert advice in all areas related to cooperative development. And if our staff does not have the answer, we can direct you to someone who does.
Congratulations to Morning Bell Coffee Roasters. We look forward to watching you grow and thrive!
