Democracy in the Workplace
Happy Earth Cleaning is Minnesota’s first (and only!) green cleaning cooperative, proudly 100% employee owned. Our full-time team members have the opportunity to become co-owners, shaping the future of our company.
Building a Better Workplace and a Stronger Community
Our purpose is to create an inclusive workplace where growth, both personal and professional, is valued. As a cooperative, we prioritize the well-being of our team and strive to make a positive impact within our Minneapolis community.
Ready to dive deeper? Learn more about the power of co-ops and employee ownership or explore our Project Equity Case Study for the inside story of our transition.
Our Story
Minneapolis is our home. Since 2010, we’ve been committed to providing exceptional cleaning, supporting our community, and exploring what it means to be a truly ethical business.
2010
Marion & Jesse Dunbar register Happy Earth Cleaning LLC with MN Secretary of State
2011
Happy Earth Cleaning LLC hires its first non-Dunbar employee
2012
Happy Earth hosts its first annual food drive benefiting 2nd Harvest Heartland
2013
Happy Earth moves into its first office on Lyn/Lake in the Uptown neighborhood of Minneapolis, MN
2014
Our very first Earth Day celebration in the office with seed planting, face painting, and more eco-friendly family fun
2015
We begin tending our first community garden plot and share the harvest among our employees
2017
Our team grows to 15 cleaning professionals
2019
Project Equity, Nexus, and the Neighborhood Development Center (NDC) help Happy Earth structure its new co-op
2020
Founding Member-owners purchase Happy Earth and transform it into the first worker-owned cleaning cooperative in Minnesota
2020
part 2: ….and immediately there was a pandemic! We open our Web Store while we are on lockdown 🙂
2022
50% of our employees are worker owners, and we vote to increase prices and wages!
2023
We add vision and dental insurance, life insurance, and disability insurance benefits for our staff!
