Category: Interviews

A Family Council Can Help Larger Families Stay Connected

Consider one if your family business has 15 or more relatives involved, or multiple generations. Many family firms wonder about whether they need a family council: a group that helps ensure that Read more

Congratulations! You’ve sold your business. Now prepare to be depressed. Most founders see selling their business as a gateway to new wealth and a dream come true. But many underestimate how Read more

Outsource or Hire? Advice for Family Businesses

Ben Berger and Ron Nahass of RSM's Family Office talk about the benefits of letting trusted outsiders handle critical business functions. Operational excellence -- involving people, processes, Read more

Business owner, author, advisor and teacher Sabrina Horn shows how to disarm your fear and organize your risk as you go out on your own. Sabrina Horn spent years working as a manager in a Silicon Read more

The Perks and Pitfalls of Hiring Your Parents

Allen Esrock of NxtGen Nexus weights in on how to optimize the free labor and other benefits, and how to manage conflicting goals, sibling resentment, and suspicious non-relatives who work for you. Read more

John Eckhardt was a sought-after freelance tech consultant. To grow, he had to step back from what came naturally and hire and manage others. Since John Eckhardt was nine years old, programming has Read more

Chris Parsons of Knowledge Architecture talks about how to minimize the financial risk when you leave salaried work, and why you don't need to be a big risk-taker to be a successful business owner. Read more

Hiring Mom and Dad? Optimize Their Strengths and Manage Boundaries

Sharon Beck, owner of a Jovie Childcare franchise, shares her insights on the benefits and challenges of being your parents' boss. Around the time that Sharon Beck was ready to quit full-time work to Read more

Know your niche; don't charge less than your competitors; decide whether to grow or keep things simple; and avoid projects that could hurt your brand. Christy Kahana worked many years in Human Read more

How Boards Help Complex Family Firms Make Sound Decisions

Fiduciary boards keep family firms focused on the long term, rather than on short-term, tactical strategies. But many family firms resist having one, fearful of losing control of their enterprise. Read more