A worker-owned co-operative, or co-op, is a values-first business that prioritizes workers and their communities. Unlike traditional businesses, the company is owned by a group of employees known as worker-owners. In California, a company can not establish itself as a co-op unless at least 51% of its employees agree to join. At Maximum Fun, most of the staff became founding worker-owners at the time of conversion.

Worker-owners get to help guide the company’s big decisions, oversee its management, and–if the company does really well–share in its success together.