Text-Em-All became the first SaaS company in the U.S. to complete a full transition to employee ownership through an EOT.
The challenge: Find an ownership model that matched the company's goals
Leadership wanted a structure that protected long-term independence and culture while creating broad-based participation across the team.
Conventional options often forced trade-offs between simplicity, flexibility, and mission alignment.
The process: Start early, evaluate deeply
Text-Em-All began succession planning early and used that time to evaluate alternatives deliberately.
To anybody considering employee ownership or any kind of exit from your company: starting early seems to be a really big part of success. If you can start early, you can do these things slowly over time. - Brad Herrmann, Co-Founder, Text-Em-All
The solution: A custom EOT structure
The team selected an EOT designed around its specific operating model and objectives.
One of the challenges with other models is that they feel like they are trying to fit us into a box we might not fit into. Having a custom solution built for our goals and needs was really valuable. - Hai Nguyen, Co-Founder, Text-Em-All
The transition allowed Text-Em-All to remain private and independent while aligning ownership with long-term stewardship.
Cultural and strategic impact
For leadership, the EOT was not only a transaction - it was an extension of purpose.
Our experience with Common Trust started with purpose and the why behind what we were really trying to do. Leading with how to protect culture and values over time made a lot of sense. - Brad Herrmann, Co-Founder, Text-Em-All
We're not just introducing a new model; we are redefining success for business owners. By embracing shared ownership, we empower every team member. - Brad Herrmann, Co-Founder, Text-Em-All
This isn't just a milestone for us, but a leap forward for every member of our team and their families. We're thrilled this company will stay independent, private, and focused on long-term success - and that we'll share that success together. - Brad Herrmann, Co-Founder, Text-Em-All