Calder Capital is thrilled to announce the successful acquisition of Maggie’s Organics of Dexter, Michigan by Teamshares of New York, New York.
Maggie’s Organics is a brand of organic and fair trade apparel and home goods, selling through 1200 retail stores around the country, and directly to consumers through its website. The company has been leading the charge for over 30 years, pushing for sustainability and fairness in the fashion industry. It all began with a single tortilla chip and the vision of the founder, Bená Burda, and today, Maggie’s is a shining example of positive change in an industry dominated by fast fashion. From farm to finish, they ensure complete transparency and ethical treatment, all while delivering beautiful, practical, and affordable clothing and accessories. Bená’s lasting impact on the industry has been profound for all families her work has touched. As she looks forward to retirement, the acquisition by Teamshares will keep the Maggie’s legacy alive, continuing to make waves and inspire change in the fashion world.
“My career has been all about changing the way business is done, and I feel that mission is still with me as I make this transition. I am not yet sure the form it will take now – it may be a book, or teaching, or helping start-ups – but I am sure I will be involved somehow. I am very optimistic about the future and the potential to collectively realize some of the goals I have strived for with Maggie’s, and it is most exciting to feel like I have the freedom to see what happens next,” Bená shared regarding retirement. “And before I dive into the next chapter, I’m looking forward to some whitewater rafting in Costa Rica, a few good kayak trips, and reading a book without falling asleep.”
Teamshares, established in 2019, has ignited a revolution in the world of business, education, and creativity. With a diverse and global team of 120 dynamic individuals spanning 28 states and 3 countries, Teamshares is on a mission to transform the way we think about company ownership. By acquiring businesses from retiring owners and empowering employees with up to 80% ownership within 20 years, Teamshares is building a network of financially robust companies that will thrive for generations to come. This innovative approach not only empowers retiring owners and employees but also ignites growth and prosperity within local communities. The acquisition of Maggie’s Organics serves as a testament to Teamshares’ purpose with Maggie’s Organics’ 18 employees now owning 10% of the company.
Sam Scharich of Calder Capital served as the lead Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor to Maggie’s Organics.
“I did not know what to expect, especially when I saw how relatively young their team was. I cannot put into words how responsive, dedicated, thorough, and fun it was working with Sam. No matter the hour or length of my questions, he made me feel like I was his only client, and he truly built my confidence during this process,” Bená commented regarding the transaction. “It is a tribute to the organization Max has built that I never felt like I needed to talk to Max. I knew he was in the background, and also knew Sam had his ear. I guess the highest compliment I can pay is if I had it to do all over again, I would not hesitate to list with Calder.”
“At Maggie’s Organics, Bená built a culture of warmth, compassion, inclusivity, and ownership. It is fitting that with everything she has poured into her team, ethical processes, and giving back that we have found the right buyer that will not only continue the superb service for Maggie’s customers but also continue giving back to Maggie’s employees through Teamshares’ unique employee ownership model,” Sam shared regarding the transaction, “Bená has worked extremely hard and I am very excited to see what comes next for her!”
Calder Capital, LLC served as the exclusive Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor to Maggie’s Organics.
About Teamshares
Founded in 2019, Teamshares is an employee-owned national financial technology company with a distributed workforce of 150 employees working towards 10,000 employee-owned small businesses and $10B in new wealth for hard-working Americans. The aim is to support a generation of business owners through confident retirement and create stronger, enduring companies through equity alignment and the Teamshares platform. It was co-founded by Michael Sutherland Brown, Alex Eu, and Kevin Shiiba.
About Maggie’s Organics
Maggie’s Organics’ beginnings can be traced back to a small condo on the west side of Ann Arbor in 1992, where orders were processed on the kitchen table and invoices were filed next to the bed. Founder Bená Burda started the company with the vision to provide beautiful, functional, and affordable clothing and accessories while protecting the planet’s resources and respecting the lives of the workers who produce them. Maggie’s is an e-commerce retailer that is involved in every step of its products’ development from the field to finish. The company is dedicated to real fair trade, from knowing many of the production employees personally, taking a stake in their farmer’s crops, and creating additional income sources for the farms they work with, to developing their own supply chains. With a diverse product offering, including apparel, accessories, and home goods, the Michigan-based company is focused on the mission to lead the way toward a more sustainable fashion industry.
About Calder Capital
Calder Capital, LLC is a lower middle market investment bank providing mergers and acquisitions advisory services to business owners, entrepreneurs, family offices, and investors across the United States. Our dedicated team of professionals combines extensive industry experience, technological innovation, negotiation savvy, and key relationships to exhibit exceptional execution. Calder’s services include mergers and acquisitions advisory, private funds and capital markets advisory, and business valuations.
