On a San Francisco afternoon in November 2005, 41 nonmanagement employees – mostly cutters, sewers, and distribution workers making about $11 an hour – learned that they would share $1.2 million. Had they won the lottery? No. These workers were about to hit it big because the company they worked for – Timbuk2, a San Francisco-based manufacturer of bicycle messenger bags – was being sold to VMG Equity Partners, and the workers had rights to a piece of the company. Silicon…

To read this article and start a full year of unlimited online access, subscribe now!

Already a subscriber?

Need to register for your premium online access,
which is included with your paid subscription?

Support SSIR’s coverage of cross-sector solutions to global challenges. 
Help us further the reach of innovative ideas. Donate today.

Read more stories by Beth Sirull.