S3 EP8: Exiting a Business via an Employee-Owned Trust with Tricia Salcido from Softstar Shoes

2026-03-04

In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, Pat Ahern sits down with Tricia Salcido, CEO of Softstar Shoes, to explore the company’s remarkable journey — and its recent transition to 100% employee ownership. Tricia shares her personal background and the story behind Softstar Shoes, a values-driven footwear company known for its craftsmanship and community roots. She walks through the strategic and emotional considerations behind the company’s move to an employee-owned trust (EOT), expla...

In this episode of Customer Growth Sessions, Pat Ahern sits down with Tricia Salcido, CEO of Softstar Shoes, to explore the company’s remarkable journey — and its recent transition to 100% employee ownership.

Tricia shares her personal background and the story behind Softstar Shoes, a values-driven footwear company known for its craftsmanship and community roots. She walks through the strategic and emotional considerations behind the company’s move to an employee-owned trust (EOT), explaining how the structure works and why it aligned so deeply with the founders’ long-term vision.

This is the organization that Tricia mentioned that can help with setting up an employee-owned trust. https://project-equity.org/

Want to know more about Softstar Shoes?
Visit their website here: 👉 Softstar Shoes

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