Alternative Exit

Alternative Exit is a dedicated to educating small business owners about the possibilities, benefits, and challenges of transitioning to an employee ownership model.

There are over 200m SMEs with an owner who will be retiring in the next 10 years, many of which will never find a buyer for their business, forcing them to close their doors.

There is an alternative. This show will explore various the different forms of employee ownership and best practices for successful transitions.

Each episode features interviews with experts in employee ownership, business owners who have made the transition, and consultants who facilitate these changes.

All Episodes

Alternative Exit

Alternative Exit #25 | Turning Scraps into Soil and Shared Power: The Rust Belt Riders Story

June 05, 2025 • Andy • Episode 25

Episode Summary:

Ever wondered what it really takes to turn a grassroots composting hustle into a thriving, worker-owned enterprise? This conversation with Michael Robinson, co-founder of Rust Belt Riders, takes us inside that transformative journey.

Michael and I talk about how Rust Belt Riders evolved from an idea rooted in community gardens and philosophical values into a formal worker cooperative. We unpack how financial transparency, shared decision-making, and open dialogue have powered their growth, and how the team continues to navigate complex conversations around pay equity, governance, and scaling workplace democracy. This episode is full of practical wisdom for any founder considering a co-op model or looking to deepen employee engagement.

Key Takeaways:

Why Rust Belt Riders started with a cooperative mindset from day one
The long road from LLC to formal worker cooperative
Lessons in financial transparency and open-book management
Navigating pay structures and consensus-based decision-making
The role of trust, compassion, and unlearning in cooperative success
Using tech like Lumio to streamline collective decisions
The cultural shift from "pretending to be a co-op" to truly being one

About Michael Robinson

Michael is the co-founder of Rust Belt Riders and serves as treasurer on the board of Cleveland Owns. With a background in philosophy and a passion for social and political equity, Michael brings a grounded, values-driven approach to cooperative leadership and community wealth building.

Connect with Michael Robinson

Website: www.rustbeltriders.com
Tilth Soil: www.tilthsoil.com
Cleveland Owns: www.clevelandowns.coop
LinkedIn: Michael Robinson

Connect with Andy Farquharson:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyfarquharson/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/andyfarq

Website - https://abettermonday.me/

Email - andy@bettermonday.me