The Family Biz Show

Culture Over Chaos: How Randy Carr Rebuilt World Emblem | The Family Biz Show Ep. 114 In this powerful episode, Michael Palumbos sits down with Randy Carr, second-generation CEO of World Emblem, who shares a brutally honest and insight-packed journey of rebuilding a company from scratch—twice. From failed ERP systems to near fistfights with his brother, Randy takes us behind the scenes of what it really takes to build a legacy business with 1,600+ employees. This episode is a must-listen for leaders facing coordination gaps, stalled growth, or succession uncertainties. Key Insights & Timestamps

In this episode of the Family Biz Show, host Michael Palumbos is joined by filmmaker and entrepreneur Eriksen Dickens of Platinum Peak and Dickens Brothers to explore the power of legacy documentaries in preserving family stories for future generations. Eriksen shares the inspiring story of building a creative business with his brother—starting with childhood movies on their family ranch to directing legacy films for philanthropists, founders, and family foundations. They discuss the unique dynamics of working with family, the evolution of their business, and the challenges of leadership, delegation, and growth as their team expanded. This heartfelt conversation dives deep into the emotional and strategic value of storytelling for family enterprises. Eriksen explains the Seven Storytelling Pillars his team uses to bring generational narratives to life, and how these documentaries foster connection, healing, and clarity across generations. Michael and Eriksen also reflect on the importance of identity post-succession, what people regret at the end of life, and why every family should consider capturing their story on film—before it's too late.

How Family Offices Evolve: Strategy, Structure, and Success Across Generations | The Family Biz Show Ep. 112

In this episode of The Family Biz Show, host Michael Palumbos welcomes three generations of the Firkins family, owners of Tile Wholesalers, to discuss the evolution of their family business over 52 years. From launching as a one-man tile distributor in the 1970s to becoming one of upstate New York's leading residential and commercial tile providers, the Firkins family shares a powerful story of generational leadership, trust-based succession planning, and strategic growth. Al, Dave, Kathryn, and Conor Firkins reveal how they've handled leadership transitions, embraced new technology, navigated family dynamics, and built a people-first culture that has kept the business thriving across decades. They explore how early trust empowered the next generation to innovate, why working outside the business helped prepare Conor for leadership, and how listening to both employees and customers shaped the future of their showroom and operations. This candid conversation covers everything from generational business handoffs and managing disagreements to outlasting big-box competitors through personalized service and strong values. Whether you're a second- or third-generation leader or preparing for an ownership transition, this episode delivers real-world insight into what makes a family-owned business sustainable and successful. Takeaways Succession planning based on trust can lead to smoother generational transitions. Legacy family values and data-driven decisions can coexist. Outside experience can prepare the next generation for leadership. Open communication is essential for resolving family conflict in business. Strong culture is built through listening and empowering employees. Family dynamics must be navigated intentionally during leadership transitions. Personalized customer service differentiates family businesses from big-box competitors. Strategic growth often requires reinvestment and shared vision. Spousal support plays a vital role in business resilience and decision-making. Legacy isn't just history — it's a tool for future success. Chapters 01:00 Introduction to the Firkins Family Business 02:17 How Al Started Tile Wholesalers 04:14 Dave's Early Exposure & Entry Into the Business 05:07 Kathryn's Role & Perspective as a Spouse in the Business 09:33 Conor's Outside Experience Before Joining 10:53 Al on Trust & Transition to Dave 14:57 From Residential to Commercial Expansion 17:50 Handling Family Dynamics in Decision-Making 20:29 Managing Disagreements Constructively 22:48 Communication as a Competitive Advantage 24:19 Transition from Dave to Conor: What's Next 28:00 The Role of Spousal Support in Business Growth 32:34 Reinvesting in the Business: Building & Expanding 34:14 Conor's Focus on Building the Next Leadership Team 36:52 Competing with Big Box & Online Retail 40:35 Culture Starts with the Right People 41:40 Embracing Technology to Enhance Service 44:49 Understanding the Next Generation's Career Paths 48:19 Using Analytics & Listening to Guide Strategy 52:00 Final Advice from Each Generation on Legacy & Leadership 57:26 Breaking the Shirt Sleeves to Shirt Sleeves Pattern 51:00 Why Independent Businesses Still Have an Edge 51:53 The Firkins Family's Favorite Tradition

In this episode of the Family Biz Show, host Michael Palumbos is joined by executive coach and author Cathy Carroll to explore the emotional and strategic tensions unique to leading a family-owned business. Drawing on personal experience and her new book Hug of War: How to Lead a Family Business with Both Love and Logic, Cathy reveals how families can navigate leadership challenges, intergenerational conflict, and complex relationship dynamics with clarity and compassion. The conversation dives deep into the concept of polarities—opposing truths that both carry value—and how recognizing them can transform everything from governance decisions to estate planning. Cathy and Michael discuss critical tensions like fairness vs. equality, tradition vs. innovation, structure vs. flexibility, and revealing vs. concealing wealth. Through real-life stories, including Cathy's own journey of working with her father, they unpack how forgiveness, intentional leadership development, and healthy conflict can strengthen families and businesses alike.   Takeaways  Family businesses must manage emotional and operational polarities—there is rarely one right answer. Governance should be structured, but flexible enough to evolve with the family's needs. Fairness doesn't always mean equality—especially when it comes to compensation and ownership. Healthy task conflict can drive innovation, while relationship conflict can destroy trust. Estate planning requires balancing transparency with timing and maturity. Power dynamics, especially between generations, must be managed with awareness and intention. Forgiveness is a leadership tool—starting with yourself and extending to family members. Preparing next-generation leaders requires more than a title—it requires mentorship, coaching, and clarity.   Chapters:  00:00 – Welcome & Guest Introduction 01:25 – Cathy Carroll's Family Business Background 02:20 – The Challenges of Working for Her Father 06:20 – What “Hug of War” Means in Family Business 08:12 – The Concept of Polarities: Business vs. Family Mindset 10:15 – Domain Crossover Power: Business vs. Family Influence 14:45 – Missed Conversations and End-of-Life Regrets 19:50 – Succession Planning: Equal vs. Equitable 21:10 – Estate Planning: Reveal vs. Conceal 23:55 – Cathy's Polarity Mapping Tool Explained 28:12 – Independence vs. Interdependence in Family Roles 32:54 – Balancing Tradition and Innovation 35:07 – In-Laws and Inclusion in Governance 39:24 – The Need for Flexible Governance 42:36 – The Role of Forgiveness in Family Business 44:51 – Cathy's Journey to Self-Compassion and Understanding 47:01 – How to Recognize When You're in a Polarity, Not a Problem 50:00 – Tools for Navigating Difficult Conversations 52:20 – Cathy's Final Advice for Family Business Leaders

In this episode of the Family Biz Show, Michael interviews Michael Bower, who shares his journey of acquiring and revitalizing Eagle Metal Craft, a multi-generational family business. They discuss the challenges of succession planning, the importance of maintaining a strong company culture, and the impact of family dynamics on business operations. Bower reflects on his experiences navigating the complexities of a declining business, the significance of mentorship, and the strategies he implemented to professionalize the company and drive growth. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear planning and the value of external support in achieving long-term success in family-owned businesses. Takeaways: Michael Bower took over a declining family business and revitalized it. Succession planning is crucial for the longevity of family businesses. Cultural shifts can significantly impact employee morale and engagement. Professionalizing a business can lead to increased value and growth.  Mentorship and advisory groups provide essential support for business owners. Understanding family dynamics is key to navigating business challenges. Investing in employee well-being can enhance company culture. A clear vision and strategic planning are vital for business success. The importance of maintaining a strong company culture through transitions. Long-term planning can create opportunities for future generations.  Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Family Business Dynamics  03:54 Michael Bower's Journey to Eagle Metal Craft 06:57 The Evolution of Eagle Metal Craft 10:10 Challenges of Acquiring a Declining Business 13:01 The Importance of Succession Planning 16:06 Navigating Family Dynamics in Business 23:07 Cultural Impact of Family Business Transitions 32:09 Navigating Family Dynamics in Business 33:14 Transitioning Leadership: A New Era 35:21 Enhancing Workplace Culture 38:07 Negotiating the Business Sale 41:29 Vision for the Future: Growth and Strategy 50:31 The Importance of Mentorship and Advisory Groups 52:20 Generational Thinking in Business 57:07 The Value of Outside Help 01:02:19 Planning for Long-Term Success 01:07:36 Introduction to Family Business Insights 01:08:06 Engagement and Community in Family Business

After a long haitus due to a company transition, we're back with episode 108! In this episode of the Family Biz Show, Michael interviewed Nikki Rausch of the Sales Maven, who shares her journey from a successful sales career to becoming a sales consultant. They discuss the importance of hiring the right salespeople, understanding the sales process, and the differences between marketing and sales. Nikki introduces her Selling Staircase framework, emphasizing the need for curiosity in sales conversations and the importance of training for business owners and their teams.  Some major topics included: How to assess the right salesperson (and how to hire them) How sales competency levels can impact training and management. What an ideal sales funnel should be based on  How compensation structures should align with business goals. Share this episode and follow us on social media!

What does it take to transition a multi-generational family business into new ventures while  preserving its legacy?  In Episode 107 of the Family Biz Show, we welcomed Ray Isaac, formerly of Isaac Heating and  Cooling, now with Northwinds Services Group.  Ray shares his journey of transitioning from a well-known family business in Rochester, New  York, to exploring new opportunities. The episode delves into the complexities of managing a  family business, the importance of maintaining a strong legacy, and the challenges of navigating  transitions.  Ray reflects on his early experiences working in the family business, from cutting sheet metal as  a child to eventually leading the company to significant growth. The conversation highlights the critical role of family values and legacy in business transitions.  Ray discusses the importance of treating a family business as an equity business, emphasizing  the need for clear boundaries between family and business roles.  He shares insights into the process of being approached by private equity and the emotional  and strategic considerations involved in such decisions.  This episode underscores the significance of adaptability, strategic planning, and the enduring  impact of family teachings and values in shaping the future of a business. Ray's story is a  testament to the power of legacy and the potential for growth and innovation in family  enterprises. Share this episode with other family business owners that might enjoy the show! -------- The content presented is for informational and educational purposes. The information covered  and posted are views and opinions of the guests and not necessarily those of Osaic FA.  Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic FA, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC.  Osaic FA is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services  referenced here are independent of Osaic FA. CRN-6996497-090924

Ever wondered what it takes to transform a family dream into a thriving business?   In this episode of the Family Biz Show, Michael sits down with Connor and Dan Sullivan, the dynamic brother duo behind Bumpa's, a unique gastropub nestled in the heart of Charleston, South Carolina.   The Sullivans recount their bold leap from stable careers in finance and corporate real estate to the unpredictable world of hospitality. They share the intricate process of renovating a historic building, navigating the challenges of opening during a pandemic, and crafting a menu that pays homage to their roots with innovative offerings like build-your-own fry plates and the signature stag and boar burger.   Throughout the conversation, the brothers emphasize the importance of a unified family vision, the lessons learned from preserving history, and the joy of creating a welcoming space that reflects their grandfather's legacy.   This episode is a testament to the power of family collaboration and the courage to pursue one's passion against all odds.  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!   --------  The content presented is for informational and educational purposes.  The information covered and posted are views and opinions of the guests and not necessarily those of Osaic FA.     Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic FA, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic FA is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic FA.  CRN-6992355-090624 

Episode 105 – The Epiphany & The Mud Run  On this episode of The Family Biz Show, president of Williams Fence Dan Willams shares his journey into the family business, the values he learned along the way that continue to shape it, the evolution of his company & the impact of the ‘08 market crash. For family business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, Dan's experiences provide a roadmap for achieving personal and professional fulfillment while maintaining the legacy and values of their family business.   -----  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic FA, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic FA is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic FA.CRN-6709151-061724   

Episode 104 - Major Components of Family Business Exit Planning  John Leonetti*, from the International Exit Planning Association, joins us in this episode to discuss the importance of exit planning for family business owners. He shares his personal journey and the challenges he faced when trying to plan for the succession of his family business. John emphasizes the need for proactive planning and highlights the three components of exit planning: personal readiness, company readiness, and market timing. He also introduces the six-step process for exit planning, which includes goal setting, assessing financial and mental readiness, exploring exit options, valuations, and execution. Leonetti stresses the importance of starting the exit planning process early and seeking the guidance of experienced advisors. Make sure to share with others who might like this podcast!   -----  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-6617088-051024  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Episode 103 - Pivoting from Private to Public in Family Business Nisha Balwani* shares her journey as a second-generation CEO in her family business,  RCI Technologies on this episode of The Family Biz Show. Nisha discusses the challenges and  successes of the succession process, including the importance of clear communication and  transparency, the need for patience and the value of bringing in outside expertise for exit planning and wealth management as well as the significance of being part of a CEO peer group  for support and guidance. The conversation covers topics such as balancing personal and  professional life, lessons from books, leadership lessons from Brene Brown's Dare to Lead, the  importance of work-life balance, and the CEO playbook. Make sure to share with others who  might like this podcast!  ----- If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share  your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to  producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast  With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! CRN-6486683-031824 *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities  and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a  broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through  Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of  Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not  provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or  tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances

Episode 102 – From Zero To Millions; Growth in Family Business  Matt McCauley* CEO of LogoBrands joins us on this episode of The Family Biz Show. He discusses his beginnings in the business, from starting in a garage to growing into a multi-million dollar company. He also doesn't shy away from talking about the challenges of working with family members and the transition from father to son in the business. Matt also talks about the importance of licensing and expanding into new product categories, the significance of maintaining company culture and core values, as well as the role of faith in his business.   OUR GUEST  MATT MCCAULEY*  Founder and CEO of LogoBrands, the #1 hard goods / non-apparel provider of licensed goods (NFL, NCAA, MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS, etc).  LogoBrands was started in a garage with my parents in 1999 with just the folding bag chair, and now we offer hundreds of product lines that range from chairs, shelters, coolers, drinkware, seating, blankets, and much more.  We have about 200 team members in the USA, China and Vietnam, but headquartered in Franklin, TN (just south of Nashville).    Married with 2 boys (11 & 13) who play all the different sports, so I'm always busy watching my boy's games when not watching games for work.  -----  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-6486634-031824  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.   

Episode 101 – Cobbler Nights & Continuity Plans  Join us and guest Robin Hall* President of VARC Solutions as we discussed the challenges and benefits of involving family members in the business, the importance of setting boundaries, and the process of growing the company and hiring employees. Robin also shares her insights on creating a business continuity plan, implementing dashboards and metrics, and the value of participating in business organizations like Vistage.   OUR GUEST  ROBIN HALL*  Robin Hall is the President and Principal Consultant at VARC Solutions in Friendswood, Texas, specializing in QuickBooks and Quick Base training and consulting.  VARC's focus is on taking small and large business clients alike to the next level and teaching them to be self-sufficient within their businesses.    Robin has been a QuickBooks ProAdvisor since 1999 (Advanced Certified since 2007), a QuickBooks Solution Provider since 2006, and a Certified Quick Base developer since 2007.    Robin's achievements include being named one of CPA Practice Advisor's 2016 Most Powerful Women in Accounting, Insightful Accountant's 2016 QuickBooks ProAdvisor Top Trainer/Writer as well as listed as one of their Top 100 ProAdvisors from 2014 – 2022, and Intuit's 2016 Sales Excellence Award. She received the 2017 Quick Base Services MVP award and the 2020 Quick Base Virtual Hackathon – First Place for Partners.  In 2022 VARC Solutions became a member of the Intuit QSP Million Dollar Club, having sales of Intuit products in excess of one million dollars.  -----  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN- 6486551-031824  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Episode 100 - Resilience & Rhythm in Rochester Family Business  In this special 100th episode, Marc Iacona shares his journey in the family business, Simcona Electronics, and the evolution of the company from a distributor to a manufacturer. He discusses the challenges and growth of the business, as well as the transition from the first to the second generation. Marc also talks about the process of buying out his partners and becoming the sole owner of the company, the genesis of the Rochester Jazz Fest and how he manages both organizations. Don't miss this one and share it with all who love our Roc City!  ----  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-6449354-030124  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Episode 99. Letting Go to Grow Your Family Business In this episode, co-owner of CosmosCorp Derrik Kassebaum shares his unique story of entering the family business, the history of it and how “letting go” was what ultimately revolutionized his  business and his life. He also highlights the significance of having a clear core purpose and  values in guiding the business, the importance of communication and humility and about the  learning and growth opportunities in family business, emphasizing the impact of books like  'Good to Great' and 'How the Mighty Fall' and the development of his book “He Will  Make a Way”. Don't miss this inspiring episode to get an idea of how your company can make  positive change every single day – starting with you! Please consider sharing this episode with  other family business owners. OUR GUEST DERRIK KASSEBAUM* Derrik has been married to Laura for 28 years & have two daughters. Derrik is Co-Owner of  three different companies including Cosmos Corporation, which is a family owned  manufacturing company that makes Health and Wellness products in the pet industry. Since  1980 the Kassebaum family have worked to create a trusted pet brand throughout the USA and  73 other countries. Derrik has traveled the world building multiple brands and overseeing the  sales of the company since 1989.  Derrik is also a published author of the book “Live And Let Go - Releasing your hold to pursue  Gods purpose”. In this book, Derrik tells the stories of the things that he learned he needed to  let go of to step into his full purpose of the life God had for him to live. The family's nonprofit organization, GOLI (Gifts Of Love International) that was started by  Derrik's parents, Don and Barbara Kassebaum. This family run organization oversees many  different works in Guatemala, Haiti and other parts of the world. In Guatemala GOLI oversees  Nino's Amodas (a children home for abused Children), works directly with the care for over 65  churches, runs Gratia (an Accredited Pastoral Training Center), three years ago started CCI (a  nine month intensive young adult development program) and ministry work to government  officials. In Haiti GOLI oversees a work called Celebrate Jesus of Haiti that Feeds 800 children a  day, has a school of 325 students and a clinic that provides free medical care to children 7 and  younger among other things to help the people of Loganave Haiti.  Derrik currently sits on a few boards in the St. Louis area including the Barnes Jewish Children's  Foundation of St. Charles County. BJCF helps people through the expense of medical care and  treatment. Derrik also works with many other ministries in the St. Louis area to help bring  unity, resource and Kingdom Culture to these ministries. If asked what his gifting is, he will tell  you that it is Envisioning Organizations, Connecting People and Encouraging individuals to  stretch the gifts that God has planted in them. ----- If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share  your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to  producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast  With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! CRN-6205160-010824 *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities  and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a  broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through  Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of  Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not  provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or  tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances

Ep 98. Adapting to Survive; How Businesses Can (and should) Utilize AI  In this episode, guest Anthony DeSimone of You're The Expert Now talks about the use of AI, specifically ChatGPT, in family businesses. Anthony shares his background and journey to becoming an AI expert and they discuss the importance of AI in business and how family businesses can utilize ChatGPT to improve communication and productivity. They explore various use cases for ChatGPT, such as editing emails, generating social media content, and transcribing meetings and emphasize the need for businesses to embrace AI and stay ahead of the curve. Share this episode with EVERY family business owner you know!  OUR GUEST  ANTHONY DESIMONE*  I love small businesses and I love helping people accomplish their goals!  I enjoy the problems that business owners and executives have because I love playing a small role in helping them overcome their obstacles and accomplish more than they ever thought possible.  I am a CPA (certified public accountant) and a CMA (certified managerial accountant) and I have played the role of CFO, COO, President and trusted adviser in many small businesses over my 23 year career.    I began my accounting career at Deloitte and quickly realized that I hated auditing but I loved all those small businesses that I was performing the audit on.  After a few years, I left Deloitte, moving over to a Controller position in a small business and I never looked back!   I have a passion for "cleaning up" small businesses.  The more disorganized and dysfunctional, the better!  I enjoy creating a solid foundation for the business by adding cash flow forecasting, reliable, timely financial reporting, operational process, goals, mentoring and creating effective teams. Throughout the process of building the foundation, I educate the team (the owner and key employees) to understand the tools and techniques I implement to allow for continued success and a timely exit strategy for me.  I am an adjunct professor at the State University of New York at Buffalo and I also teach at the University at Buffalo Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL) which is a special class for owners of small businesses and high level executives to overcome business challenges, create new opportunities and develop meaningful connections within the business community.  -----  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-6205135-010824  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.   

Episode 97. 200 Years of Sweet Treats and Survival in Family Business  In this episode, Janice Jucker of Three Brothers Bakery takes us on a fascinating journey, from the bakery's humble beginnings in Poland 200 years ago to its current status as a beloved Houston institution. She shares the inspiring story of her aunt Jenny, who saved her three brothers from the Nazis during World War II, and how these brothers later founded the bakery in Houston in 1949. We discuss the importance of understanding insurance policies and having proper coverage, as well as the need for cash reserves during a disaster. Janice shares her thoughts on the dynamics of family business succession plans, the search for retail space, and her top priorities for the next year. She highlights the importance of continuous learning and developing a strong business culture. Share this episode with those you know who might love any of these topics!  OUR GUEST  JANICE JUCKER*  Janice Jucker, co-owns Three Brothers Bakery with her husband, Bobby.  They like to say they are “memory makers who happen to be bakers®” because their family has been baking for almost 200 years, 74 in Houston, Texas.  Three Brothers Bakery was originally founded by Bobby's father and 2 uncles after surviving the Holocaust.  Today Three Brothers Bakery has 4 locations and are currently working toward a fifth and employ approximately 75 wonderful people.  The Juckers call themselves the “king and queen of disasters” as they have survived 4 floods, a fire, a hurricane, pandemic and freeze and are  proud they were able to pay their employees even while closed.  In 2018 they were awarded the SBA Phoenix Award for Small Business Disaster Recovery and has used the accolade as a platform to advocate for disaster reforms that can help small businesses recover quickly after natural disasters.  Janice currently is on the board of the Houston Restaurant Association, NFIB Texas Leadership Council and National Vice Chair of Goldman Sachs 10000 Small Businesses Voices. Previously she was on the Advisory Board of the Holocaust Museum Houston, Susan G. Komen Houston and Hadassah Houston.  She is a breast cancer survivor and number 10 on her mother's maternal line to have this type of cancer and encourages everyone to do their well-women checkups each year which includes mammograms and pap smears.  Janice graduated from the University of Texas at Austin and Masters from Oklahoma State University.  -----  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-6204746-010824  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Episode 96. A Legacy in Motion; Dylan's Journey from Agriculture to Transportation  We had the pleasure of talking to Dylan Rexing*, CEO of Rexing Companies. We discussed the evolution of Dylan's family business from agriculture to transportation, the complexities of working with family, and the growth from a small team to a company with nearly 100 employees. Dylan shares his journey from reluctant bookkeeper to a CEO focused on serving his employees and the importance of hiring good people. We also explored the significance of culture, leadership development, and the use of business operating systems for growth, conflict resolution & generational transitions. Share this episode!  OUR GUEST  DYLAN REXING  Dylan Rexing currently serves as President and CEO of Rexing Companies, an Evansville-based network of family owned and operated companies specializing in the supply chain process.   Dylan is also the fifth generation in his family's farm operations, where he grew up learning the value of hard work and financial responsibility while working on the farm.   Under Dylan's leadership, Rexing Company's logistics division, PFL Logistics, has earned recognition on the Inc 5000 Fastest Growing Private Companies for the past four years.  Rexing is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting.  He serves as a Board member for the Boys & Girls Club, Evansville Regional Economic Partnership - Family Business Alliance Executive Member, EREP Transportation Committee and the Evansville Sports Commission.  He is also a member of the Vistage CEO Peer Advisory Group.  Dylan and his wife, Alexandra, reside in Newburgh, Indiana and enjoy volunteering at the Warrick County Humane Society, traveling with and being parents to Loretta and Eleanor and playing with their dog, Rosie.  -----  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-6050544-102523   *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 95 - Brewing Up Success: Turning Coffee into a Family Empire  In this episode of the Family Biz Show, we sat down with Lisa Smoot* from San Francisco Bay Coffee. Lisa, who is a regular listener of our podcasts on her incredible daily commute, shares the incredible journey of her family's business, from a bankrupt company to a thriving $200 million enterprise. Lisa opened up about her personal experiences of entering the family business and the challenges they faced along the way, the company's strong partnership with Costco and how it has contributed to their growth and her commitment to employee development and the significance of investing in their team members' growth and well-being.     OUR GUEST  LISA SMOOT*  Lisa is a second generation family member running a large vertically integrated coffee roasting business with operations in the U.S., Central America and  UK.  Her current role is CEO of San Francisco Bay Coffee Company. She oversees all aspects of her business from growing coffee to roasting coffee that is purchase in your local store. She has worked for our family business for 40 years in all aspects of the business.  Before taking on the role of CEO, she was in charge of private label.   Lisa currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Pacific Coast Coffee Association where she is the Chair of the Mentorship Committee. She is also a member of the National Coffee Association, Specialty Coffee Association, Vistage and Chief.  Lisa is a graduate of University of California Berkeley and lives in the Bay Area with her husband of 29 years and her 4 grown children.  -----  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-6050524-102523  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

    Ep 94 - From Bricks to Community Engagement in a Multi-Generational Family Business    On this episode of The Family Biz Show, Andy Breuer from Hueber-Breuer Construction Company. Andy shares his journey of joining the family business and the company's 151-year legacy and we discuss the importance of maintaining a good reputation, the significance of company culture, and the role of managing a construction business. Andy highlights several community-oriented projects and the company's focus on sustainability, succession planning, leadership development, community involvement, and the challenges of running a construction business in New York State.   OUR GUEST  ANDREW BREUER* Andy Breuer, President of Hueber-Breuer Construction Co., Inc., represents the sixth generation of Central New York's oldest, continuously operating construction company. Andy displayed an early interest in the family business and throughout his adolescence spent his summers immersed in Hueber-Breuer projects. He graduated from Emory University in 2000 and returned to Syracuse from Atlanta in 2002. Since that time, Andy has been at the helm of many projects for Hueber-Breuer, in the capacity of Project Manager, Project Executive, and now President of the 151-year-old business.  The origins of Hueber-Breuer date back to the Hueber family's arrival as stone masons who immigrated from Europe and ultimately found work in Central New York with the construction and ongoing maintenance of the Erie Canal. The earliest records of Hueber Brothers performing as independent contractors date back to 1872, and the family has been consistently building and developing Central New York ever since! Today, Hueber-Breuer's offices remain on the south side of Syracuse, within blocks of where they have been for nearly one hundred years. The roots of the family business in Syracuse run deep and remain central to the values, vision, and operations of the company. Andy leads Hueber-Breuer with an eye towards building on the legacy of his family through a culture of community, caring, and innovation.   Some of Hueber-Breuer's recent projects delivered under Andy's leadership include the Nexus Center, NYS Fairgrounds EXPO Center, the SUNY Poly Hilltop Residence Hall, the Lakeview Amphitheater, and the Destiny Embassy Suites Hotel. Hueber-Breuer consistently reaffirms their commitment to build to the benefit of both client and community; presently this includes the Syracuse Community Health Center project, which will bring a state-of-the art facility providing affordable healthcare to the south side of Syracuse. Also currently under construction is the revitalization of the Moyer Carriage Lofts, which will provide 128 quality, affordable housing units to the north side of the city.   Andy's numerous charitable and philanthropic passions include recent terms as board president of both the Central New York Community Foundation and the Syracuse Area Landmark Theatre. When he's not working, you can likely find him with his family enjoying live music or exploring the ski slopes, woods, or rivers of Central New York.  ---- If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-6050488-102523  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 93 - The White Brothers' Recipe for Family Business Resilience  In this episode of The Family Biz Show, we sat down to talk to twin brother owners Eric & Scott White of Denver Machine, a family business started by their great grandfather in 1910. The brothers share their journey into the business, their outside experiences, the company's growth and diversification into various industries, and the challenges they faced, including a severe recession and a lawsuit threat. The brothers also share their future priorities, the benefits of being part of a CEO roundtable group, and the importance of industry associations. Don't miss this episode and share with other family business owners who might enjoy!  OUR GUESTS  ERIC WHITE*  Eric White, alongside his twin brother Scott, has co-owned Denver Machine Shop for over 20 years. Together, they expanded their business by acquiring three more companies, leading to a sixfold revenue growth since taking over from their parents.  Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Eric served as a Captain in the US Army Corps of Engineers for five years, including a deployment to Germany. He then worked in Caterpillar's Marketing Group for Large Mining Shovels for four years. Returning to Colorado, he managed airbag inflator production at Autoliv, Inc. Eric holds a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mining Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and is proud to be an Eagle Scout. In his community involvement, Eric serves as a Board Member of American Legion Post 17 in Edgewater, Colorado. During his leisure time, he enjoys exploring destinations like Key West. He has been happily married for 30 years and has two accomplished adult children.  SCOTT WHITE*  Scott White has been co-owner of Denver Machine Shop, a fourth generation family business for the past 21 years with his twin brother Eric White.  Together, they have acquired three additional businesses and have grown the total revenue in their operations by six times since buying the company from their parents.  Previous to this, Scott worked for 13 years as a Manufacturing and Metallurgical Engineer for Caterpillar and at Autoliv.  Scott is a graduate of the Colorado School of Mines, a former officer in the Army Reserves where he served for 8 years, and an Eagle Scout.  He enjoys serving others through Rotary and his industry association, the National Machining and Tooling Assn.      -----  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-5972743-092523  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 92. Reflection, Swim Lanes & Visual Hammers: The Keys to Success in Family Business Branding  In this episode of The Family Biz Show, Agency 29 owner Maureen Ballatori joins us to discuss branding and marketing in family businesses. Maureen shares her background and journey into the world of branding, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and articulating a family business's value proposition. We explore the process of helping family businesses bridge the gap between generations and the role of brand strategy in adding clarity and direction. The conversation also touches on standing out in the market, financial considerations of branding, and the services offered by Agency 29 and discuss the importance of reflection, goal-setting, and effective communication in family businesses.    OUR GUEST  Maureen Ballatori*  Maureen Ballatori is the founder and CEO of 29 Design Studio, an award-winning creative agency for food, beverage and agriculture brands. Her experience in brand strategy helps companies scale business growth, define their unique marketing message, and attract their ideal audiences.  Maureen's rural roots are the source of both her passion for agriculture marketing and food. She is an active member in the startup community, participating in a number of entrepreneurship incubators and accelerators and playing a key role in Upstate NY economic development.   Maureen was nominated for an ATHENA award in 2019. She is a graduate of Nazareth College of Rochester with a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration and has won multiple international awards for branding and design.  -----  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-5972728-092523  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 91- The Power of Vulnerability & Authenticity in Family Business Leadership  Ben Brandstetter from Brandstetter Carroll joins us on this episode of The Family Biz Show to  share his personal journey and how he joined the family business after obtaining his professional engineering license, the importance of succession planning and exit strategies for business owners, the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and the significance of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership. We also enjoyed dispelling misconceptions about family-owned businesses and the importance of celebrating successes and fostering collaboration within one's family business.   OUR GUEST  Ben Brandstetter*  Mr. Brandstetter is a Professional Engineer with over 20 years of experience in the industry.  He currently serves as the President of Brandstetter Carroll Inc. (BCI).  BCI is a regional Architecture, Engineering, and Planning firm based in Lexington, KY with additional offices in Cincinnati, OH, Cleveland, OH, Dallas, TX, and Norman, OK.  The firm was founded in 1979 by Larry Brandstetter and Mike Carroll.  In 1982 Larry's brother Bruce joined the firm and opened their Cincinnati office to focus on Engineering services.  Since the founding, the firm has had a focus on serving units of local government such as Townships, Villages, and Cities.  Over time, the firm has grown to also serve State, Federal, and private clients.    Currently the firm has approximately 80 employees and has enjoyed consistent growth over the history of the firm.  Gross revenue for 2023 is projected to be greater than $20M which constituted a doubling of revenue from five years ago.    Since its inception, the firm has had “family” and “non-family” members in leadership and ownership roles.  This has continued as the firm has transitioned from the “first generation” of Larry, Mike, and Bruce to the “second generation” that Ben is currently leading.  Ben and his partners completed their ownership transition on March 1, 2020 and are currently in the process of bringing on another partner this year.   The firm's Mission is to “Enhance Community and Quality of Life” and this is implemented on every project that the firm works on.  In some way the work of BCI impacts people on a very local level.    Because of that Mission and the underlying values of the family, Ben has been engaged in a number of different community efforts where he lives in Kentucky.  He has served on the Boone County Planning Commission for six years.  He was appointed by the Governor to the Council on Postsecondary Education which oversees all public Higher Education Institutions across the State.  While on the Council he served as Chair of the Finance Committee, Vice Chair, and ended his term of Chair.  He currently serves on the Executive Committee of BE NKY which is the Economic Development organization for Northern Kentucky.  In addition, he also serves on the Northern Kentucky Port Authority.    Ben lives in Hebron, KY with his wife Karen whom he met while at Georgia Tech where they both studied Engineering.  He studied Civil Engineer while she earned a degree in Industrial Engineering.  They have two sons.  Adam is a Senior and Tyler is a Sophomore in High School.  Both boys play golf, basketball, and baseball for their school.    In his spare time Ben has built a real estate portfolio consisting of office, restaurant, and industrial properties as well as urban surface parking.  Some of which have a family business component.   -----  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-5966688-092023  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 90 - Building Trust and Communication in a Family Business  On this episode of the Family Biz Show, President of NetCom Inc. Johny Roumanidakis shares his journey into the family business, initially starting as an accounting intern but falling in love with the company's culture and opportunities. He discusses the history of Netcom, the lack of a formal succession plan, and the breakdown of family and non-family members in leadership roles. Johny emphasizes the importance of trust, communication, and adaptability in a family business & shares insights on decision-making, employee accountability, and the values his grandfather instilled in him.   OUR GUEST  Johny Roumanidakis  Johny Roumanidakis is a finance expert and visionary leader currently serving as President at Netcom, Inc. With a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration in Finance from the University of Iowa and a Master's of Science in Finance from DePaul's Kellstadt Graduate School of Business, Johny brings a formidable blend of academic acumen and real-world experience to his role.   At Netcom, Inc., he spearheads a global force in RF and microwave innovation, supplying top-tier RF tunable filters, amplifiers, and integrated assemblies. Under his guidance, Netcom supports mission critical systems in defense, aerospace, wireless communications, and medical applications, pioneering high-quality, compact designs for extreme conditions.  Johny's leadership focuses on optimizing customer experience, operational excellence, and cultivating a dynamic work environment. With a strategic direction and commitment to innovation, he is propelling Netcom to exceed expectations and embrace new technologies, shaping the future of RF and microwave technology.   Stay updated on Johny Roumanidakis' insights and contributions by connecting with him on LinkedIn.  -------  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-5886999-081623  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 89. The Future is Now: Talking Next Gen Family Business Readiness  In this episode of The Family Biz Show, Shelley Taylor of Aspen Family Business/ABARTA joins us to discuss the importance of planning for the future of a family business, including the need for control and financial planning, the challenges of giving up control and the emotional attachment entrepreneurs have to their businesses. Shelley shares her experience of involving spouses in family business discussions and the value of seeking outside expertise, her thoughts on the importance of education and learning opportunities for the rising generations in family businesses. Listen in now!  OUR GUEST  SHELLEY TAYLOR  Shelley Taylor* is a Family Business Advisor who works with business-owning families on matters pertaining to governance, structure, role clarity, next generation development, generational transitions, and family councils.  Shelley joined the Aspen Family Business Group in 2018. Until December 2017, she was the Peer Forum Director at the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE) at the University of Pittsburgh where she has worked since 2000, previously serving as both Education Program Director and Membership Director.  Shelley continues her affiliation with the IEE as their Family Business Consultant.  Shelley is the Family Council Chair for ABARTA, Inc., a third and fourth generation family business that owns and operates the tenth largest Coca-Cola distribution company in the United States.  The owning family of ABARTA began its strategic family process in 1990 prior to the leadership and ownership transition from the second to third generation. The family process is currently focused on education and development of the fourth generation.  She is an independent director for c3controls, a private family business in Beaver, PA; is a former Chair and currently serves on the board of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre; and is past Chair and a board member of the Adams Foundation, a family philanthropy.  Shelley graduated from Cornell University ('83 Linguistics, with Distinction).  She holds an advanced certificate in family business advising (ACFBA) from the Family Firm Institute and is an FFI Fellow.  -------  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-5868088-080823  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 88 - Successfully Navigating Family Business Dynamics  In this episode of The Family Biz Show, Eric Slatten of ECS International joins us to talk about his journey into his family business, the importance of company culture, why it's important to seek outside help, and how to build trust within a team. Eric also discusses the challenges his family business is facing and his strategies for overcoming them. Don't miss this one!  OUR GUEST  ERIC SLATTEN*  Eric Slatten has over 15 years of experience in the electronic component industry. He began his endeavors at ECS Inc. International in inside sales and soon progressed toward leading the global sales department.   In January 2022, Eric became the company's President while his father, Brad Slatten, remained ECS Inc. International's CEO.   Outside of overseeing daily business operations, Slatten fosters the corporate relationships between ECS Inc. and their supply chain and global distribution partners alongside the ECS Inc. regional sales managers and sales representative network.  -------  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-5726637-060723  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.   

Ep 87. Lessons from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; How to Successfully Lead a Family Business  In this episode of the Family Biz Show, we talk to Christi Redfearn, a member of family-owned commercial janitorial company Redlee/SCS. Christi shares her journey of joining the family business and the history of the company, the struggles she faced, such as making payroll and dealing with cash flow issues, company growth and how they expanded into new markets. She also shares her favorite family traditions and how she has taken lessons in management from practicing Jiu-Jitsu!  OUR GUEST  CHRISTI REDFEARN*  Christi Redfearn is the CEO of REDLEE/SCS, INC, a commercial janitorial company owned and operated by the Redfearn family since 1982. Having been immersed in the business from a young age, Christi has dedicated 20 years of her life to the janitorial field. Her journey began in the accounting department at her family's company, and she has since progressed through diverse roles, including responsibilities in operations, marketing, and development.  As the CEO, Christi's ultimate goal is to showcase the capabilities of her employees and demonstrate that their work makes a significant difference. She strives to lead the company in an efficient manner, always finding new ways to improve operations and save costs.  Christi is not only a driven businesswoman but also a mom of two and an amateur road racer. She embraces a well-rounded lifestyle, balancing her passion for yoga, enthusiasm for Star Wars, and dedication to jiu-jitsu, which reflects her commitment to physical and mental well-being.  Her perspective as a CEO is centered on the value of the work done by her team, emphasizing that they play a crucial role in society. Christi is motivated by the legacy of her family business and aims to create opportunities for her employees and their families, just as others did for her father and grandfather, co-founders of the company.  In her own words, Christi emphasizes the importance of the "thankless work" her company does, which is essential to keep the world functioning. She recognizes the support her family received from dedicated employees in the past and aims to carry that legacy forward by providing similar opportunities to others.  Christi Redfearn's leadership style is driven by a desire to champion the underappreciated work of her company while fostering growth and opportunities for her team members.  -------  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-5813031-071723  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 86. Building The Best: How MAC Products is Revolutionizing the Welding Industry  In this episode of The Family Biz Show, CEO of Mac Products Eddie Russnow joins us and talks about the challenges his company has faced, including taking gambles on new products and solutions, and how they have become known for providing solutions to customers' pain points. Eddie also covers the transition of leadership within the family business, how he prepared heirs for the assets they will inherit, and the importance of company culture. Lastly, he shares his top priorities for the next 12 months, which include integrating a new acquisition and implementing a culture-wise program.  OUR GUEST  EDDIE RUSSNOW*  After graduating from The George Washington University in 1988 with a degree in International Finance, my first job was in a commercial lending training program at a regional bank. I expected my career path to take me to Wall Street and Investment Banking. I never imagined I would end up with a career in Manufacturing. I have been with MAC Products since 1990 and have never looked back. The company has been in business for over 50 years. We are a family-owned company with three generations of our family in the office. My father-in-law started the business; then I came on board and two years ago my son joined. My business background, hands-on experience in the plant, and working alongside our customers have served me well throughout my career and ultimately enabled me to build a company that now serves most utilities and mass transit companies in the United States and Canada. My experience has taught me that the essential component of a business is building a team of people who make things happen. Without our employees, we would not be able to serve our customers. I believe in lifetime learning and have been an active Vistage member since 2017. Philanthropy is very important to me; I am a member of the Board of Directors for The Foundation Fighting Blindness. I am passionate about my family, friends, music, wine, and traveling the world.  -------  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-5765579-062123  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 85. Creating a Culture of Giving: The Spiritual Capital of a Family Bank On this incredibly feel-good episode of The Family Biz Show, three-time returning guest Jay Hughes Jr. joins us to talk about his experience working with families and his passion for helping them flourish and evolve. Jay explains the idea behind the Family Bank and how it can help families manage their wealth and legacy, emphasizing the importance of growing spiritual and social capital within the family, rather than just focusing on the financial. Don't miss another one of Jay's episodes with us, as they're always filled to the brim with family business wisdom that will transcend the age.   OUR GUEST JAY HUGHES JR* James E. “Jay” Hughes, Jr. is a sixth-generation counselor-at-law, now retired, author and co-author of multiple books and influential articles on family governance and wealth preservation. He is renowned for facilitating multigenerational family meetings, with an emphasis on governance issues. Hughes is frequently called on to address international and domestic symposia on helping families to flourish through the growth of their human, intellectual, spiritual, social and financial capital. Through his pioneering work with families, Hughes has become the leading voice for a more enlightened, expansive approach to family office management and in turn, a mentor to countless family office executives. In 2021, the James E. Hughes, Jr. Foundation was established to honor Jay and the Hughes family lineage through educational programs and funding for advisors who are similarly called to serve families. Find out more about Mr. Hughes on his website or through the Jay Hughes Jr Foundation. ------- If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! CRN5765536-062123 *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.

Ep 84. Injecting Humanity into The Employee Experience  On this episode of The Family Biz Show, we welcome back returning guest Joey Coleman* about his new book, "Never Lose an Employee Again," which focuses on the employee experience and the eight different phases an employee goes through. Joey discusses the importance of recognizing the emotional and mental journey of being an employee and how it is crucial to create a remarkable employee experience to have happier customers. Joey explains the eight phases of the employee journey & the need for personal and emotional connections in the workplace. Don't miss this one!  OUR GUEST  JOEY COLEMAN*  Joey Coleman helps companies keep their customers and employees. As an award-winning speaker, he shares his First 100 Days® methodology for improving customer and employee retention with organizations around the world (e.g., Whirlpool, Volkswagen Australia, and Zappos). His Wall Street Journal #2 best selling book, Never Lose a Customer Again, shows how to turn any sale into a lifelong customer and his upcoming book, Never Lose an Employee Again, details a framework companies around the world can use to reduce turnover and increase employee engagement.  ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!    CRN-5730689-060923    *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 83. Navigating the Complexities of Family Wealth: From Family Business to Family Office  On this episode of The Family Biz Show, Kirby Rosplock*, founder of Tamarind Partners, shares her journey growing up in a multi-generational family business and becoming a consultant. We covered topics such as the history of Kirby's family business, challenges faced by women in patriarchal family businesses, and planning for the future of family wealth. Kirby also discusses managing wealth and services available for families with varying net worth. Don't miss this unique episode & share with others who might enjoy!  OUR GUEST  KIRBY ROSPLOCK*  Kirby is the founder of Tamarind Partners, Inc., a leading family office consultancy named Best Family Office Management Consultancy (2019) and Best Family Wealth Counseling by the Family Wealth Report (2019, 2022). She is also the Chief Learning Officer and founder of Tamarind Learning, an online learning platform for families, beneficiaries, and their advisors named Best Specialty Service Provider (2022) by the Family Wealth Report. Recognized by her peers as an innovator, educator, trusted advisor, lauded author, and world-renowned speaker, Kirby helps both business-owning families and family offices.  Born into a complex enterprising family, Kirby understands first-hand being a beneficial owner, inheritor, fiduciary, board member, and an operator.  Kirby combines her life experiences with her passions for research, client advisory, and her love of writing, which have culminated in many articles, research studies, and books including The Complete Family Office Handbook (2014, 2021) and The Complete Direct Investing Handbook (2016). Kirby received honors including the prestigious Family Wealth Industry Thought Leadership award in 2018 from the Family Wealth Alliance and the Richard Beckhard Practice award for life-time achievement and outstanding contributions to family business practice from the Family Firm Institute (FFI) in 2018.  Kirby earned her undergraduate degree from Middlebury College, her MBA from Marquette University, and her Ph.D. from Saybrook University. For more than 20 years, she has worked in the world of finance, family wealth, and family business, including working in the securities industry for a broker-dealer and more than a decade in a prominent multi-family office as the head of Research and Development. Kirby is Dean of Family Office at the Purposeful Planning Institute, a Fellow and faculty at the Family Office Real Estate Institute at the University of Denver, former FFI GEN Faculty, co-trustee of the Harbeck Family Foundation, and currently serves on various advisory boards.    ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  -  CRN-5713295-053123  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 82. Investing in Success; The Power of Human Capital in Family Business Sustainability  On this episode of The Family Biz Show, we talk to Dr. Jamie Weiner and discuss the challenges faced by children of successful parents, including the pressure to measure up to achievements and the importance of finding one's own path. Jamie shares stories of breaking moments that lead to personal growth and finding their own purpose that lead to their own success. Don't miss this one!  OUR GUEST  DR. JAMIE WEINER  Dr. Jamie Weiner*, author of The Quest for Legitimacy: How Children of Prominent Families Discover Their Unique Place in the World, works with high-net-worth families on all the problems that exist behind the money.  Since 2018, Jamie has devoted his time to an in-depth qualitative research study of the Rising Gen in storied families. The purpose of the study is to understand what it is like growing up in the shadows of successful parents and elders.  Dr Weiner's experience as a clinical psychologist lends unique insights to his understanding of the complex dynamics existing in families.  His expertise with leveraging the human capital that lies in multi- generational, affluent families extends into the family office and business space where a family's needs and “their business” are often linked and complex.  You can contact Jamie on his website.  ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  -  CRN-5668441-050423  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 81 – Driving Success: How Ken Johnson Is Paving the Way for the Future of the Logistics Industry  On this episode of The Family Biz Show, we sat down with local logistics giant Ken Johnson, the CEO of Leonard's Express. Ken delves into his personal life to explore his favorite family traditions and the unique ways they've created lasting memories. He also discusses the challenges of running a family business; from navigating conflicts and the importance of having “the right people in the right places” to scale a company. This episode is packed with great stories about how family, business and leadership intersect to create a truly fulfilling career. Don't miss it!  OUR GUEST  Ken Johnson  Ken Johnson* has spent his entire career (more than 30 years) in transportation and supply chain management.  Currently, Ken is CEO of Leonard's Express and its sister companies, Johnson Equipment, the Canandaigua Driving School, and Integrated Logistics.   Leonard's Express is a family-owned, asset-based transportation provider headquartered in Farmington, New York with offices located throughout the United States. Leonard's provides transportation, warehousing and supply chain management solutions for a wide range of customers that encompass many industries across the United States and Canada.  Ken is a past Chairman of the Trucking Association of New York and is Chairman of the Association's Government Affairs Committee. He is also Past General Chairman and Treasurer of the Technology and Maintenance Council of the American Trucking Association.  Ken enjoys traveling with his wife Connie. Ken and Connie live in Canandaigua, New York and have two adult children.  ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  -  CRN-5517794-031623  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 80 – Phoenix Rising: How Stephanie Stuckey Reclaimed Her Family Business  We're going absolutely nuts over our latest guest, Stephanie Stuckey, as she joins us to share her story about taking back & growing the family business after a extremely successful career in law, the values that shape Stuckey's and how important it is for family businesses to keep those values while at the same time, needing to evolve how they are presented to stay generationally relevant. There's so much more packed within the hour, so don't miss it!  OUR GUEST  Stephanie Stuckey  Stephanie Stuckey* is CEO of Stuckey's, known for generations as a highway oasis serving up pecan log rolls and kitschy souvenirs. Founded in 1937 by her grandfather, W.S. Stuckey, Sr. in Eastman, Georgia, Stuckey's grew into over 350 stores nationwide by its peak in the 1970's.   The company was sold in 1964 and sadly declined for decades under a series of corporate owners. Fortunately, Stuckey's returned to the family in 1985 under the leadership of W.S. Bill Stuckey, JR. and is now being continued with Bill's daughter, Stephanie.    The Company acquired a pecan shelling and candy plant in Wrens, GA in January of 2021 and have been scaling production of the Stuckey's branded snacks and sweets – including the iconic pecan log roll – to be sold in almost 5,000 retail stores nationwide.   Stephanie purchased Stuckey's in November of 2019 and assumed the role of CEO.   Stephanie's achievements include being named one of the Most Admired CEOs of 2022 by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, 100 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend Magazine and a graduate of Leadership Atlanta. She serves on the corporate board for Bealls, a Florida-based retailer with more than 550 stores.  The Stuckey's story has been featured recently in the New York Times Sunday Business Section, the TODAY Show, and The Washington Post.  When she's not running Stuckey's, Stephanie enjoys traveling by car to explore the back roads of America and pulling over at every boiled peanut stand and the World's Largest Ball of Twine.  ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  -  CRN-5604187-040323  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 79: Generations of Giving: The Power of Grandparents & Grandchildren in  Family Business Philanthropy  Join us as we talk to returning guest Jay Hughes Jr. about the powerful way family businesses can build and maintain a strong sense of purpose and legacy across the generations by utilizing philanthropic activities, and create a shared vision for making positive impacts on society. Share this episode with other family business owners who are interested in the power of generational giving!  OUR GUEST  Jay Hughes Jr.*  James E. “Jay” Hughes, Jr. is a sixth-generation counselor-at-law, now retired, author and co-author of multiple books and influential articles on family governance and wealth preservation. He is renowned for facilitating multigenerational family meetings, with an emphasis on governance issues. Hughes is frequently called on to address international and domestic symposia on helping families to flourish through the growth of their human, intellectual, spiritual, social and financial capital.   Through his pioneering work with families, Hughes has become the leading voice for a more enlightened, expansive approach to family office management and in turn, a mentor to countless family office executives. In 2021, the James E. Hughes, Jr. Foundation was established to honor Jay and the Hughes family lineage through educational programs and funding for advisors who are similarly called to serve families.  Find out more about Mr. Hughes on his website or through the Jay Hughes Jr Foundation.   -------  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  *not affiliated with Lincoln Advisors Corp.  CRN-5485731-022723  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.   

Ep 78. Strategic Compensation Planning for Family Business Executives  Join us as we talk to Mark Bronfman* from Bold Value about his journey into how he ended up helping family businesses, the specifics of strategic compensation planning why that all matters to family businesses who continue to struggle with attracting and retaining top talent!  OUR GUEST  Mark Bronfman*  I proudly serve as a private wealth advisor affiliated with Sagemark Consulting/Lincoln Financial Advisors in Vienna, VA and I founded the BOLD Value team in 2005.   Our BOLD Value practice (www.boldvalue.com) focuses on executive compensation, equity strategies, and exit & legacy planning primarily for business owners and boards for middle market companies in the range of $25M to $2B in revenue.   Our clients are keenly interested in the vital outcomes of growth, leadership succession and capital succession. Our team is known to be especially deep and strategic in techniques such as synthetic equity, equity transfer, profits interests, retirement planning, corporate benefits, estate planning and investment planning.   Prior to joining Sagemark in 2002, I specialized in strategy and growth consulting with Accenture and Deloitte Consulting where my primary focus has been on strategic advantage and rigorous scenario planning for Fortune 100 companies.   If you are interested in Strategic Incentives across Leadership, Ownership & Stewardship, please visit our blog and read articles on business owner financial planning available at www.BoldValue.com.   *Licensed not practicing.  -------  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  CRN-5592432-032723 Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. Mark Bronfman is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (Member SIPC). Investment advisory services offered through Sagemark Consulting, a division of Lincoln Financial Advisors, a registered investment advisor. Bold Value is a marketing name for registered representatives of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.

Ep 77 - The Popeye Plan For Business Owner Succession Planning Join us as we dive deep into Popeye Plans with Gary Shepherd, CFP®,CBEC®,ChFC,CLU as we discuss the history of and what exactly Popeye Plans are, how they work and some tips on successful business transition. Don't miss it!  OUR GUEST Gary K. Shepherd CFP®,CBEC®,ChFC,CLU "I have run a fee based financial planning practice for the last 30 years dedicated to helping clients achieve their personal and business financial planning objectives. Shepherd Financial Group (SFG) works exclusively with a small group of successful physicians and affluent business owner clients.  They choose to work with us because of the unique perspective and creative solutions we bring to their situation as well as our ability to work with and enhance the value provided by their existing advisors. While our clients are located across the country, I am based out of Virginia Beach, Virginia". ------- If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! --- CRN-5438573-013023 Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances Gary Shepherd is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Shepherd Financial Group is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp

Ep 76 –  Total Family Management for the Family Business  Join us for a packed episode with Alex Kirby & Katie Jesionowski of Total Family Management as they discuss how to apply “total family management” to the ten domains for successful family business, the importance of investing in the development of communication and trust in the family and the truly emotional (over financial) nature of succession planning.  OUR GUESTS  Katie Jesionowski*  Katie Jesionowski, Chief Marketing Officer spent the first 7 years of her professional career in advertising, where she specialized in media planning for JP Morgan Chase and Verizon Wireless.  After that, Katie took two years off to have her twin daughters. Over a playdate with a close, twin-mom friend, Katie co-founded an organic kids' snack food company that sold products across the country and around the world for 10 years.  Katie's experience with branding, marketing, and messaging made joining TFM an easy and exciting process.  In addition to her personal affinity for self-development work, she calls her own family "Team J". Working alongside an army of incredibly talented coaches is a career highlight. Katie lives in Summit, NJ with her husband and 13-year-old daughters.  Alex Kirby*  Alex Kirby, Founder, and CEO spent the first decade of his career managing commercial banking relationships and facilitating an internal leadership development program.  From there, he went on to become the VP of Sales for a global training and development company.  In each role, Alex thrived most when he was leading and growing people. The persistent nudge to start a company formed over many years of watching resources poured into businesses and executives but never their families outside of the office. Something had to change. The pandemic opened up time and opportunity to make it happen. The TFM why is to "show up and help families". It inspires everything from the workshop content to the support TFM coaches show clients to the way the fully-remote team interacts and is cared for across 11 states. Alex runs HQ from his home office in Towson, MD where he lives with his wife and two young sons.    ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  CRN-5420806-011923  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 75 – Culture and Leadership in the Family Business  Celebrate National Peanut Month with this episode from Hub's Peanuts owner Marshall Rabil as he discusses the triggers unique to family businesses, the importance of actionable culture in his company and the story behind how Hub's became one of Wegman's “Danny Brands”. Don't miss this one!    OUR GUEST  Marshall Rabil  Marshall Rabil* is carrying on his grandparent's legacy as the Director of Sales and Marketing at Hubbard Peanut Company in Sedley, Virginia. Named one of Inside Business' 40 Under 40 in 2019, Rabil has racked up quite an impressive resume from sustainable development studies in Costa Rica to teaching cultural studies in Japan. The creativity and adaptability that he learned during his travels continue to be key assets he brings to Hubs leadership. Rabil has been proud to tie his family values of philanthropy to the brand too through The Hubs Heart Program, which hosts events and quarterly volunteer opportunities for Hubs staff benefitting the Southeastern Food Bank.  ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  CRN-5392233-010323  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 74 – How a Family Business Can Pivot To Survive  In this episode, 4th generation owner of Rochester favorite Giuseppe's Marcy Chinappi joins us to talk about the history of their company, how the pandemic affected businesses around them, how they had to pivot multiple times to adapt and thrive and what his hopes are for the future of his family business. You might also find out which pizza place was the very first to ever serve pie in the Flower City...don't miss this one!  OUR GUEST  Marciano (Marcy) Chinappi*  Marciano Chinappi* is the 4th generation owner of Giuseppe's. He manages and runs the business with his father Joe Sr. and his brother Joey Jr. Giuseppe's was started by Marcy's great grandfather Giuseppe Petrillo in 1927. In 1927. Giuseppe owned his namesake's store on State Street across the street from Kodak in Rochester, NY. He was one of the first, if not the absolute first person, to sell pizza in The Flower City.  You can follow and contact Giuseppe's at: https://www.instagram.com/giuseppesrochester/  https://www.giuseppesrochester.com/  https://m.facebook.com/giuseppesgates?refid=46&tsid=0.468692260010266&source=result  ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  CRN-5085017-110722  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 73. Evolution, Sacrifice & Grit in Family Business  Join us for a Family Biz Show first as we talk to Alaska-based fishing & processing company owners Sena & Rich Wheeler of Sena Sea about the sacrifices that come with navigating a business when one of the owners is away for several months of the year (and the grit it takes!) the unique challenges that come with their business and how their time apart adds value and depth to the time they do spend as a family. If you love warm stories about the bonds of family and have an interest in sustainable fishing, you won't want to miss this episode!  OUR GUESTS  Sena & Rich Wheeler*  Rich and Sena Wheeler* are a third-generation fishing family and work hard to bring home the very best fish. Their goal with Sena Sea is to bring the consistent premium quality that they get to enjoy, direct to their customers, something they just can't and anywhere else. Sena has a master's degree in nutrition and Food Science with a specialty in quantifying omega 3's in fish and determining preferred handling practices for premium quality. Rich does most of the fishing for Sena Sea, but they also source from fellow fishermen who share their high-quality standards, and commitment to sustainability.  Sena Sea are not only fishermen, they also run a small, fisherman-owned custom processing facility in Cordova, AK (60 North Seafoods) where they specialize in premium quality and traceability. This means it never leaves their hands; they have complete control of their entire process.  ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  CRN-5406488-011123  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 72 – The Deep Psychology of Family Business  In this episode, Dr. Jim Kestenbaum joins us to talk about why consulting a psychologist for family business succession can be one of the best choices a business owner can make today, how using an in-depth leadership assessment process can identify the kind and degree of leadership development areas needed in your business and the reality that many family businesses struggle knowing which family members should do what, especially as talents from the current generation may differ for the next one. Don't miss this episode!  OUR GUEST  Dr. Jim Kestenbaum*  Dr. Jim Kestenbaum is TSG's founder, having extensive executive coaching, selection, succession and career development expertise built on a Ph.D. in counseling psychology with specialization in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from the University of Maryland, College Park. He has worked with scores of executives in over 300 companies both locally and nationally. You can contact Dr. Jim at https://getdrjim.com/  ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  CRN-5416361-011723 *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 71 – The Sweet Legacy of Family Business  In this episode, fourth-generation owner of Speach Family Candy Shoppe Michael Speach Jr. joins us to talk about his very sudden & unexpected pivot into the family business, the origins of the business and how it survived the Great Depression, the uniqueness of the confection industry's ability to help form deep traditions and memories within families and the reality of “legacy guilt”. If you're a Syracuse local, you especially won't want to miss this one!   OUR GUEST Michael Speech Jr.*  Michael (also known as The Candyman) has been at the helm since 2007. By changing the concept of the business and incorporating many new processes and ideas, Michael has been the driving force that keeps the company alive. You can visit & order on SpeachFamilyCandy.com and follow on Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn.  ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  CRN-5338062-120722  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 70 – Navigating Wealth 3.0 & Creating An Impactful Life  In this episode, founder of Illumination360 Kristin Keffeler joins us to discuss the hidden tripwires of inherited wealth, how family business owners can identify the clutter that family money can bring. OUR GUEST  Kristin Keffeler  Kristin Keffeler,MSM, MAPP is a thought leader and consultant at the forefront of a global shift in family wealth advising, known as Wealth 3.0. As the founder of Illumination360 and Chief Learning Officer for the Johnson Financial Group, she guides affluent and enterprising families, rising gen, and the professionals who support them in embracing the positive power of wealth, aligning their vision with their impact. She specializes in human motivation and behavioral change, family dynamics, family governance, rising gen education and development, and intergenerational collaboration. Drawing upon her years of research, private practice advising, coaching the rising generation in affluent and enterprising families(and life experience as the daughter of wealth-creating parents), Kristin believes that members of the rising gen are uniquely positioned to create significant impact in the world, and inspires them to ignite their potential. She is the Dean of Positive Psychology for the Purposeful Planning Institute; sits on the Board of Advisors for the Bailey Program for Family Enterprise at the University of Denver; is a faculty member with the Ultra-High Net Worth Institute; is a certified trainer with 21/64, a national nonprofit for advancing multigenerational philanthropy; and is the co-founder of Beneficiary Bootcamp. She lives in Boulder County, Colorado, with her husband, daughter, and dog Olive.    If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  CRN-5248124-112322    *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 69. How to Attract, Hire & Retain Top Talent For Your Family Business  Join us on this episode of The Family Biz Show as guest Heenle Turner teaches us about attracting, retaining & hiring golden talent, her entry into the HR industry (and her connection to Rochester-giant Paychex), the changes the pandemic forced upon many employers in terms of work-life balance demands and what simple processes you can implement into your hiring to help get 5-star employees. Share this episode with other family business owners who could benefit!  OUR GUEST  Heenle Turner*  Heenle is a certified HR Professional with a passion for helping businesses succeed.  Heenle has provided HR consulting services to more than 200 businesses varying in size and industry.    Heenle's experience in sales, customer service and people management has uniquely positioned her to partner with entrepreneur's and business leaders to recruit and retain a team of their own five-star employees.     If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  CRN-5065797-102622  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 68. Health, Wealth & Family Business  It's our first Family Biz Show in the health & beauty space and we're excited to have guest Ryan Margolin* from Professional Hair Labs introduce us. Listen in to hear about how a serious health situation with Ryan's mother led to the development of his business, the specific values that drive his company within a under-regulated industry & the systems they had that broke when they hit 7 figures. Don't miss this one!  OUR GUEST    Ryan Margolin*  Ryan Margolin, CEO of Professional Hair Labs, set out on a journey to help create the world leading product in cosmetic bonding when his mother was poisoned by the harmful chemicals in the hair adhesive products commonly used in the industry. Inspired to keep the same thing from happening to anybody else, his family dove into the research and created their first hair care product free of harmful substances.   Now, nearly 20 years later, Ryan is an international business leader and an entrepreneur who works in more than 15 different countries. There, he helps create sustainable services and products in industries full of subpar and even harmful options.  With the help of Ryan's expertise in effectively taking concepts and formulating strategies for success in multiple different industries, as well as his flexibility, clarity, and dedication to putting people first, Professional Hair Labs has expanded its manufacturing tenfold, grown to become one of the 500 fastest-growing companies in the US over the last 5 years, and has sold more than $50 million in product globally.  Connect with Ryan:  https://prohairlabs.com/  www.linkedin.com/in/ryanmargolin  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  CRN-5010167-101222 *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

 Ep 67. Make Better Decisions Faster   Did you know there's a “silver bullet” of repeatable playbooks for scaling your business, improving your company culture and growing revenues? Shannon Byrne Susko knows so! She joins us on this episode of The Family Biz show and talks about why mastering the "people" side of an execution strategy matters more than you know and that business coaching is so much more than business wisdom – a great coach removes the blind spots you didn't even know you had! This episode is jam-packed with actionable guidance that any CEO can pull from, especially the part about not reading her books... like a CEO. Don't miss it!  OUR GUEST  Shannon Byrne Susko*  Serial Entrepreneur, Strategic Growth Architect, Keynote speaker, Corporate Board Member, Amazon Best Selling Author of “The Metronome Effect:  Journey to Predictable Profit” and “3HAG WAY”  Shannon has more than 20 years of experience building and leading high-growth technology companies. She is co-founded, served as CEO, and led the sale of the two companies less than six years apart: Subserveo, Inc (Founded in 2008 * Sold 2011) and Paradata Systems Inc. (Founded in 1995 * Sold in 2006).    Shannon is an expert in strategy and execution.  She is well known for her ability to lead and execute with team in implementing a repeatable Strategic Execution System – creating it in her first company and validating in her second company by the speed in which the company was built and sold. She now coaches CEOs and leadership teams from around the world who want the same success using this strategic execution framework. Shannon has worked or works with companies like: Telus Health, Intel Innovation Division, Aspen Skiing, Milos Tea, Zippy's.  Shannon founded a CEO+LEADERSHIP team coaching and worldwide speaking business in June 2011.  She is the co-founder of Metronome Growth Systems (Jan 2016) which is a cloud-based business platform for best practice high growth businesses, their CEOs, leaders and Business Coaches. She founded Metronome United in July 2018 with 80 international coaches in their quest to implement the 3HAG WAY and Metronome Growth System Framework to strategically impact high growth companies and their teams.  In July 2014, Shannon wrote and released Amazon Best Selling – Entrepreneurship: “The Metronome Effect:  The Journey to Predictable Profit”.  Shannon released her second book in April 2018 – which was recognized and Amazon Best Seller – New Release: “3HAG WAY” and a 2019 - Finalist in Business: Entrepreneurship in the International Book awards.  Shannon was recognized in March 2020 as one Canada's Top 25 Inspirational Women Leaders, Susko was also named as one Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2020 and 2018.  Shannon was recognized as one of Canada's 150 in 2017 and was awarded Canada's Top 40 under 40 in 2001.  She was awarded the Sarah Kirke Award for Canada's Leading Women Entrepreneurs in 2006.  Shannon was named Deal Maker of the Year in Vancouver in 2011 and was in the Top 3 Mid- Market Deals on Wall Street that year.    Shannon has a BComm, BSc, from Saint Mary's University and MCSc. from the Technical University of Nova Scotia. She is married with three children 16, 17, 18 and resides in beautiful Whistler, BC.  ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  CRN-4982424-100522    Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 66. Bringing Your Own Experience to the Family Business  Listen in as Steve Davis* of Tapecon talks about the machine that his great-grandfather invented that put the stage girl of yesteryear out of business, the entrepreneurial pivots that the company made over its long history & the “BYOE” (bring your own experience) family charter that drives the family business.  OUR GUEST  Steve Davis*  Steve Davis is the President at Tapecon, Inc., a 5 generation, family-owned manufacturer based in Buffalo, New York. Tapecon partners with product teams to develop, scale, and deliver better products through responsive and reliable printing, converting, and advanced manufacturing. Tapecon provides expertise in specialized printing and converting, printed flexible electronics, and manufacturing of disposable devices for medical and industrial markets. Steve's efforts have created a progressive culture of innovation at Tapecon over his fifteen years with the company.   Steve graduated from Clarkson University in 2001 with a bachelor's degree in Engineering & Management and obtained his master's degree in International Business at St. Bonaventure University.   Steve has graduated from the Leadership Buffalo program, UB's Center for Entrepreneurship Leadership program [CEL], and Startup CEL program. He is active in the CEL Alumni Association, a Board Member and past Chair of the Buffalo-Niagara Partnership's Manufacturers Council, a member of the Entrepreneur's Organization WNY Chapter, a member of the UB Center for Materials Informatics Industrial Advisory Board, Board Member of the Buffalo and Erie County Workforce Investment Board, and President of the Clarkson University Buffalo Alumni Chapter.    ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  CRN-4949114-091422 Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 65. Pursuing Evolution, Not Revolution  A Family Biz Show podcast alumni returns! Listen in as guest Nike Anani of African Family Firms talks about supporting the next generation of family business leaders through education and navigation of roadblocks and how to work on the family not for the family. This is a great episode you won't want to miss.   OUR GUEST Nike Anani   ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  CRN-4917253-082422 Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 64 - Generating Innovation in Family Business  Listen in as members of the Wetzel* family, Lawrence & Michael*, of Air Innovations discuss the need to constantly seek the advice of others, Michael's unique entry into the family business and a fun story about an exciting design they developed for a major Las Vegas attraction.     OUR GUESTS  Lawrence E. Wetzel, P.E* Lawrence E. Wetzel is an engineer, an inventor and a businessman. He earned a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University, and BA in Mathematics from St. Vincent College. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the States of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and California, and holds five U.S. patents and one European patent.  Starting as a junior engineer for a mechanical contractor, he quickly rose to become President of a division. In 1983, he founded Clean Room Technology and rapidly built it into an international business with sales of $20 million. After merging his company in 1989 with the French company Clestra, he spent the next several years as Chairman of Clestra worldwide cleanroom operations with sales of more than $40 million.  In 1994, Mr. Wetzel co-founded Exponential Business Development Company and raised over $5 million in capital to invest in entrepreneurial emerging companies in Upstate New York. In 2002, Exponential was merged with a NYC venture capital firm.  Early in 1996, Mr. Wetzel and his son, Michael, acquired controlling interest in Floratech Industries, a manufacturer of refrigerated floral display cases for supermarkets. Early on, the Wetzel's began expanding their product offerings, such as an innovative new air conditioning product, called HEPAir, for the indoor air quality market. In 1999, Floratech acquired the air conditioning manufacturing division back from Clestra and in 2001 changed its name to Air Innovations to better reflect its broader mission.   During this same period, Mr. Wetzel became the part-time Chairman and CEO of a Rochester, NY based software development company called Verax Systems. Mr. Wetzel successfully turned the struggling company around and in 1999 sold it to a division of Siemens AG.  Mr. Wetzel is active in many philanthropic and business organizations in the Central NY community. He and his wife, Glenda, reside in Cazenovia, NY and enjoy travel, boating, and biking. They also enjoy renovating older real estate properties, such as an 1820 farmhouse on Nantucket Island, an 1865 house in Charleston, SC and the latest is an 1810 post and beam cottage in Cazenovia.  Michael Wetzel* Michael Wetzel is President and CEO of Air Innovations. Wetzel is a graduate of Clarkson University where he received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. He is a licensed Professional Engineer and is the holder of seven US patents.  Prior to Air Innovations, Wetzel was based in Strasbourg, France for four years working for a multinational company building cleanrooms in Europe and the Mideast. Previously he worked stateside as an engineering manager in the HVAC construction industry. Since joining the company as president and CEO in 1996, and after he and his father Larry acquired controlling interest in Floratech Industries, Wetzel has grown Air Innovations from a company focused solely on floral coolers to one that addresses wide variety of refrigeration, air conditioning, and filtration needs.  About Air Innovations  Air Innovations is a world leader in designing and building environmental process control systems for applications that can't be addressed with standard HVAC equipment. They customize packaged solutions for temperature, humidity, filtration, pressurization, and with direct-expansion, chilled-water, or thermoelectric capabilities.   ---  If you're a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!  ---  *not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.  CRN-4905137-081622  Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.