Brian Adam is the owner and President of Milwaukee-based Olympus Group, a 120-year-old company that started as an American flag manufacturer and over the years has expanded to become a world-class custom printing business and the largest mascot manufacturer in the U.S.

In this episode, Brian shares how his father bought Olympus when it was on the brink of bankruptcy and later sold the company to Brian. Under Brian’s leadership, Olympus Group has continued to grow, and along the way Brian has built a framework with his father and brother for working together to expand the family’s investments into other start-up businesses in the spirit of building a “family enterprise”.

Learn more in the book that Brian co-wrote with Dave Fellman, Rules Of Engagement: A Guide To Better Communication And Better Relationships With Everyone Who Is Important To Your Business.

In the episode we will learn:

• (2:09) - How did Brian get started with Olympus Group?
• (3:56) – What did the deal between Brian and his father for the company look like?
• (6:44) – How did the sale of the business play into the family’s overall wealth strategy?
• (8:14) – What shaped Brian’s advisory board?
• (9:51) – What kind of people are on Brian’s advisory board?
• (11:17) – What is the why that keeps Brian working hard at Olympus Group?
• (13:53) - How does Brian incentivize his workforce?
• (16:37) – What are some key takeaways from Brian’s book, ‘Rules of Engagement’?
• (18:39) – What are the core values Brian is trying to instill in his own children?
• (20:53) – How did Brian get into the mascot manufacturing game?
• (22:50) – What was Brian’s first mascot-related claim to fame?
• (25:06) – What advice does Brian have for any young entrepreneurs listening?
• (27:28) – How do you cultivate a healthy work culture?