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Ownership in Action

Something profound happens when workers, farmers, customers and communities — not external investors — own and control the businesses they participate in


Broad-Based Prosperity


In such a world, incomes rise, prices fall, health outcomes improve and communities and the natural environment are treated with respect.  


Dignity, Community & Agency

In such a world, businesses create livelihoods with meaning, help bring communities together, and offer participants freedom, agency, and dignity.


Using a variety of market mechanisms and policy levers, ownership and control of many businesses can be converted to participant-owned.

It Can Be Done



People-owned businesses are all around us. See below for real-world examples of businesses that are owned and controlled by the people at the heart of their success.

It’s Already Amongst Us

About the Book

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Media & Conversations

Watch Hans Taparia and Bruce Buchanan discuss People’s Capitalism in interviews, podcasts, and conversations

Latest Essays

Subscribe to the People’s Capitalism Substack for essays and conversations on building an economy owned by the people

Pachamama Coffee

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

America’s first coffee chain owned by coffee farmers in Latin America and Africa. Farmer-owners report making 40x the profits over selling to Starbucks.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Walden Mutual Bank

The first depositor-owned bank started in America in nearly 50 years. Depositor-owned banks have a lower failure rate than investor-owned banks, and it pays six times the national savings rate through interest and savings on fees.


DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Detroit People’s Food Coop

The community of North End in Detroit launch a customer-owned healthy grocery store in 2024 sourcing from “gangster” urban farmers and owned by 4000 members.

CARMEL, INDIANA

TVF Fabrics

TVF Fabrics employees bought the company from its founder in 2010. By 2020, each employee had increased their net worth by four to five times their respective salaries.

Pachamama Coffee

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

America’s first coffee chain owned by coffee farmers in Latin America and Africa. Farmer-owners report making 40x the profits over selling to Starbucks.

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Walden Mutual Bank

The first depositor-owned bank started in America in nearly 50 years. Depositor-owned banks have a lower failure rate than investor-owned banks, and it pays six times the national savings rate through interest and savings on fees.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN

Detroit People’s Food Coop

The community of North End in Detroit launch a customer-owned healthy grocery store in 2024 sourcing from “gangster” urban farmers and owned by 4000 members.

CARMEL, INDIANA

TVF Fabrics

TVF Fabrics employees bought the company from its founder in 2010. By 2020, each employee had increased their net worth by four to five times their respective salaries.