Chapter 13: A Legacy Tested**
A year later, an unexpected economic recession swept across the country. Supply chains froze, shipping rates plummeted, and major competitors began laying off tens of thousands of ground workers to protect executive executive bonuses.
The pressure mounted on Vance Global. Competitors predicted the worker-owned model would collapse under financial strain.
Leo called a company-wide town hall, broadcast live to every warehouse, truck cab, and depot across fifty states.
"I know you're all watching the news," Leo spoke directly into the camera from a distribution hub floor. "Other companies are firing their frontline workers to keep their stock prices green. I’m here to tell you that Vance Global will not lay off a single worker."
Cheering erupted across thousands of connected screens.
"Instead," Leo continued, "all executive salaries—including mine—are capped at zero until the crisis passes. We will draw from the corporate reserve fund we built together. We started from the bottom, and we survive together."
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Inspired by Leo's sacrifice, the workers mobilized like never before. Delivery times broke national records. Communities rallied around Vance Global, choosing them exclusively over cutthroat competitors. The company didn't just survive the recession—it absorbed half the market share left behind by failing conglomerates.
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