Services
Navigating business transitions—whether through succession, employee ownership, or leadership retention—can be complex. We provide clear, actionable strategies to help business owners secure their company’s future while keeping their values and people at the center of every decision.
Succession Planning –We help you determine if when and how to step away from your business. We explore all succession options, including employee ownership, family transfers and third party sales to identify what works best for you and your business.
Employee Ownership Transitions –Worried about control, the right buyer, or your team’s future? Selling to employees could be the answer. We design, implement, and support your EO model long-term, ensuring your new employee-owners succeed.
Employee Retention and Equity Compensation Strategies – Are you among the 80% of small business owners struggling with employee retention? While many turn to wage increases, that approach only drives costs higher over time. Instead, we help you implement employee ownership strategies that not only retain key employees but also boost their engagement and commitment.
Generational Transfers – Over 70% of family business transfers do not make it to the second generation. We help you overcome these odds by aligning family expectations, clearly defining roles, facilitating leadership handovers, and incorporating employee ownership to ensure long-term success.
Did You Know?
In the US, majority ESOP firms outperformed non-employee-owned companies by a 4 to 1 ratio during the pandemic. Meanwhile, in the UK, employee-owned businesses saw a 20% increase in performance and experienced up to 43% higher revenue after transitioning to employee ownership (Rutgers University).
What Sets Us Apart?
Experience Matters
The first time you negotiate a major deal, hire an executive, or expand into a new market, there is a learning curve. By the time you have done it dozens of times, you know exactly what to anticipate and what pitfalls to avoid. Business transitions are no different. This is what we do every day—we have learned the nuances, challenges, and strategies that ensure a seamless process. Choosing the next generation of owners is one of the biggest decisions you will make. Leave it in expert hands.
Transitions, not Transactions
Your lawyers and accountants handle the legal and financial details, but they are not thinking about how your employees will react, how leadership will adapt, or how to maintain the culture that made your business successful in the first place. As Peter Drucker said, culture eats strategy for breakfast—without alignment, even the best transition plan can fail. We ensure employees, leadership, and stakeholders are on board, minimizing resistance and creating a strong foundation for long-term success.
We Protect Your Most Valuable Resource
Time is your scarcest asset, and succession planning demands it. It is no surprise that two-thirds of business owners do not have a transition plan in place. We take on the heavy lifting, acting as your project management partner, so you can focus on what you do best while we guide the transition.
Long Term Success
A transition is not just about closing a deal; it is about ensuring the business thrives under new ownership. Employee ownership is a major shift, and without the right structure and support, businesses risk failure down the line. We provide ongoing guidance, helping your employee-owners succeed and ensuring business continuity for years to come.
Every Business Needs a Plan - What's Yours?
Starting your succession journey? Let us help you lay the foundation.
If you’re just beginning to think about succession planning and don’t know where to start, our 3-month online course is the perfect place to begin. This course is designed for business owners who need to understand the options available to them and develop a clear roadmap for the future. Learn more.
What our Clients Say...
Jennifer’s understanding of purpose-led business with a people-first approach has been key in supporting the evolution of our company to 100% employee owned. Jennifer’s knowledge, experience and approachable nature have been instrumental in this continued evolution of our business.
We knew we needed a succession plan that reflected our values and long-term vision. Working with Firefly Insights was an excellent experience. Jennifer guided our team through a comprehensive exploration of options, always keeping our goals and the needs of our employees front and center. The Share Freeze solution they proposed was transformative—it made employee ownership accessible while allowing us to realize the fair value of the company over time. This approach not only aligned with our commitment to equity and collaboration, but also laid the groundwork for a sustainable and successful transition. Jennifer’s expertise and thoughtful approach were critical to success, and we are thrilled with the outcome.
Rochelle Zorzi & Melissa McGuire – Cathexis Consulting
Firefly Insights provided invaluable support during a pivotal time for The Red Apron. Their ability to guide us through complex shareholder dynamics and help us create clear roles and responsibilities was instrumental in our ability to move forward and grow. Thanks to their expertise, we’ve been able to expand our business and continue to serve our community with confidence.