October is Employee Ownership Month, a time to celebrate the people who make Design Workshop what it is: a firm built on shared purpose, collaboration, and long-term commitment. As a 100% employee-owned firm, we believe ownership isn’t just a structure, it’s a mindset that fuels everything we do, from how we work together to how we serve our clients and communities.
Our journey toward employee ownership began in 2006, when five shareholders sold 15% of their shares to establish an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) as a strategy for long-term succession and stability. In 2020, Design Workshop became fully employee-owned, ensuring our future remains in the hands of those who help shape it every day. This transition wasn’t just about preserving the firm’s legacy, it was about strengthening it by empowering every team member to play a meaningful role in our continued success.
Employee ownership has amplified the very values Design Workshop was founded on. From day one, our founders, Joe Porter and Don Ensign, made a deliberate choice not to name the firm after themselves. Instead, Design Workshop reflected a belief in collaboration and collective creativity; a belief that continues to guide us today.
Our ESOP structure reinforces that spirit. When everyone has a stake in the firm’s success, it shows in our work: the extra care in each design detail, the dedication to our clients’ vision, and the innovative thinking that pushes our profession forward. It strengthens our purpose: to create places that foster community, connection, and resilience, and it ensures those values live through every project we deliver.
That culture of ownership is supported in tangible ways. From open-book financials and ongoing ESOP education to mentorship programs and professional development opportunities, we encourage every employee to think, act, and speak like an owner. This transparency and shared investment build trust across our teams, and with our clients, who experience firsthand the difference that employee ownership brings.
Our clients benefit from this ownership culture, as well. They know that the people managing their projects are not just employees, they’re owners with a long-term stake in outcomes that endure. That accountability inspires a deeper level of care, collaboration, and creativity in every phase of the work.
As CEO Becky Zimmermann shares, “Employee ownership gives us the foundation to think beyond today—to design with purpose, passion, and accountability for the future.”
