Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) advisory for Wojo’s | Prairie Capital Advisors
Prairie Capital Advisors, Inc. (Prairie), a middle-market investment bank, recently acted as financial advisor to Wojo’s Greenhouses & Farm (Wojo’s) in the transition of the company into an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). Prairie acted as the exclusive financial advisor in this transaction to Wojo’s and its shareholders and was led by Tim Jamison, Shaun McGehee, and Joseph Labetti of Prairie. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Wojo’s Greenhouses & Farm began its journey in 1983 with a modest roadside stand at the intersection of Oakwood and Hadley Roads in Ortonville, MI. What started as a small produce venture has grown into more than 275,000 square feet of greenhouse space, offering a diverse array of homegrown plants, including annuals, perennials, trees, and vegetables. Committed to environmental responsibility, Wojo’s shares knowledge to help guests create and maintain beautiful gardens.
Prairie worked closely with the leadership team and sellers, providing ESOP advisory expertise, and managing the preparatory, due diligence, and negotiation phases of the ESOP transaction, as well as structuring the financing for the transaction.
“With the transition to an ESOP, we look forward to empowering our dedicated team and ensuring Wojo’s legacy continues for generations to come. We are deeply grateful for Prairie’s guidance and expertise during our transition,” says Joe Wojciechowski, Owner of Wojo’s Greenhouses & Farm.
“It was a pleasure to work with Joe and his management team on the ESOP transaction. Joe has built a phenomenal business and provides great quality plants, flowers, and service to so many in the area. We appreciate the trust he placed in our team throughout the process”, says Tim Jamison, Director at Prairie. Shaun McGehee, Director at Prairie, adds, “The ESOP will help ensure Joe’s vision of keeping Wojo’s independent and community focused. The company has all the essential characteristics to be a very successful ESOP company.”
