Family Business Today

Our guest today is Diana Oehrli. Diana is a writer and podcaster best known for The Pressures of Privilege Show, which looks inside the world of class, achievement, and family legacy—with inheritors, founders, advisors, doctors, artists, observers, and the ones who got out. She focuses on what it takes to build a life that is healthy, meaningful, and truly your own.

Raised with generational wealth and humble Swiss values, Diana has seen what both extremes produce. At 23, she was a consultant at a German bank. By 25, she was running a community newspaper. She later navigated a long-running family business dispute and organized the mediation that brought years of costly litigation to an end.

Now, her essays, podcast, and forthcoming book explore why the most successful people often struggle the most — and what a different kind of success looks like.

In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:

• What happens when the needs of the family and the needs of the business get tangled up
• What people get wrong about growing up in a family with real money and what money can’t actually buy
• Diana’s experience with going through legal processes to resolve family conflict
• The difference between owning something and stewarding it
• “The pressures of privilege” that business-owning and wealthy families almost never say out loud
• Diana’s thoughts on raising a generation to steward what they inherit instead of just consuming it
• And more….

To learn more about Diana and her podcast, visit https://dianaoehrli.com/.

At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit www.tncfb.com.

If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE  Transition Assessment (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant.

Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!

Our guest today is Julie Walton Garland. As a third-generation owner, Julie has carried Walton's into a new era while honoring the legacy her grandmother began. After earning her B.A. from the University of Colorado Boulder, she returned home to Franklin, Tennessee and officially joined the family business in 2012. Since then, she’s earned her Graduate Gemologist diploma, expanded the brand’s online presence, led a full showroom renovation, and deepened Walton’scommitment to philanthropy and community involvement.

Julie’s love for Franklin, Tennessee, runs deep. She’s a passionate advocate for the continued success of Main Street and takes pride in creating a welcoming, elevated experience for every client who walks through the door.

In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:

• How Julie went from wedding planning after college to a co-owner of her family business
• The things her grandmother taught her about running a business
• The value of place to family businesses
• How Walton’s competes with big national chains and the Internet
• The surprising thing about running a family business
• And more….

To learn more about Julie and Walton’s Jewelry, visit www.waltonsjewelry.com. 

At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit www.tncfb.com.

If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE Transition Assessment (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant.

Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!

Our guest today is Ray Chung. Ray is an entrepreneur, an advisor, and serves as a senior consultant at Rising Sun Consultants, a servant leadership and organizational consulting company. Prior to his most current endeavor inconsulting, he has led in the area of people and culture for organizations including LINKBANK, TE Connectivity, and Willis Towers Watson.

Ray's favorite part of his job is simply showing up and serving — going on a walk with a leader on the Appalachian Trail, flipping burgers for his teammates, or visiting the storefronts of entrepreneurs in Rwanda. In addition to his currentrole, Ray is a proud ambassador for HOPE International, serves as a mentor with Ardent Mentoring, and is on the board for Brethren In Christ. He enjoys trail running, a good cup of coffee, and is a huge fan of The Finish Line Pledge Podcast. Ray and his wife, Heather, live in Dillsburg, PA (home of the infamous New Year's Eve Pickle Drop). They have three children, Micah, Delia, and Eden. They are members of The Meeting House Church.

In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:

• How to transition from “the boss” to a servant leader of your family business
• Practical ways that a family business owner can earn trust
• How lead from family values
• The first steps to becoming more service-oriented as a family business owner
• The role humility plays in a successful family business
• And more….

To learn more about Ray and his business, visit https://risingsunconsultants.com/.

At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit www.tncfb.com.

If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE Transition Assessment (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant.

Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!

Our guest today is Ross Treleven. Ross was named President of Sprague Pest Solutions in January 2021 and named CEO in May 2024. Ross joined Sprague in 1998 for a summer job in high school, becoming a technician in college, wherehe attended Gonzaga University completing a Business Marketing Degree. He also holds an M.B.A. from the University of Denver.

After graduating from Gonzaga in 2004, Ross moved from technician to sales, further learning the business from the ground up. He became the Branch Manager for theSeattle branch in 2006 and then the Denver branch in 2011 before being named District Manager for the Mountain Region in 2015. He then went on to become the Regional Manager and built our internal Operations Center at the home office. In 2016, he was promoted to General Manager before being named Vice President of Operations in 2018, and Executive Vice President in 2019.

Ross is a recipient of the 2021 SouthSound Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, and 2018 Vistage Impact Award (Puget Sound). He currently serves on the board of directors for Cambium Endeavors, Sprague Pest Solutions, the TMC Corporation,and the Treleven Family Foundation; and volunteers his time with Degrees of Change and the Annie Wright Schools' Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee in Tacoma, Washington.

In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:

• The key leadership principles that have led to multiple successful leadership transitions
• How Ross’s family practices balance and transparency in the business
• The difference between preparing a family member to own versus lead the business
• Specific moments that helped shape Ross’s leadership development
• The innovative ways Sprague Pest Solutions prepares leaders and cultivates interest in the Next Gen
• And more….

To learn more about Ross and his business, visit https://www.spraguepest.com/.

At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit www.tncfb.com.

If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE  Transition Assessment (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant.

Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!

Our guest today is Brent Thomas with family-owned Tepi Naturals in Yorba Linda, California. Brent always had a deep desire to create something of his own. He just didn’t know it would lead to Tepi Naturals. He uncovered his passion forchemistry during community college, at a time when he wasn’t sure what path to take. Drawn to the clarity and structure of the subject, he went on to earn his B.S. in Chemistry from CSU Fullerton and later a master’s in Organic Chemistry from San Diego State University. Through his experience in organic synthesis, Brent saw a major issue with synthetic materials: while they might solve one problem, plenty of others can quickly unravel.

During his time as a quality control manager at a biotech company, he realized that he wanted to build something for himself – not for the future of another company.With a piqued interest from the studies his father shared with him and deeply rooted family ties, Brent saw the perfect opportunity to start a business where everyone could bring something unique to the table. Today, he’s fulfilling hisdream of creating clean, healthy, and non-toxic skincare products for all through Tepi Naturals.

In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:

• Why Brent decided to start Tepi Naturals as a family business rather than pitch his idea to an existing skincare brand
• How Tepi Naturals competes in the saturated beauty industry
• The work Brent and his family have done to re-establish good communication
• The strategies for Brent and his family to keep family and business separate
• Advice for those thinking of starting a family business
• And more…

Brent, we wish you and your business continued success. To learn more about Brent, Tepi Naturals and where to buy their products visit https://www.tepinaturals.com/.

At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit www.tncfb.com.

If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE  Transition Assessment (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant.

Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!

Our guest today is Lisa Ascolese, Founder and CEO of Inventing A to Z. Lisa is an inventor, entrepreneur, mother, grandmother, and the founder of several ventures, including Inventing A to Z, a product development company, and Inventors Spotlight TV, a shopping network designed to help inventors showcase their brands and sell their products. 

Lisa is also the host of The Inventress Podcast, where sheoffers invaluable insights into inventing, entrepreneurship, and the challenges and triumphs of building a business. She recently became a published author with her book The Inventress’s Guide to Inventing the RightWay: All or Nothing, Now or Never! and has been featured on ABC 7 NY Here and Now with Sandra Bookman to discuss her journey as an inventor and business leader. She has also come out with another book, My Favorite Book of Lullabies, a children's lullaby book with interactive QR codes to have the lullabies play along with the book as the adult reads/singswith Lisa.  

In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Lisa is passionate about empowering women. Lisa is the founder of a nonprofit organization about empowering women called AOWIE, The Association of Women Inventors and Entrepreneurs. She hosts the annual AOWIE Women’s Empowerment Conference, which brings together entrepreneurs for learning, networking, and growth. 

In this episode of Family Business Today, youwill learn:

• What pushed Lisa to begin her inventing journey
• What resilience and consistency looked like for Lisa as she built her business
• How she came up with her slogan: “Lifting Each Other Up Two Hands at a Time and Sometimes You Need a Foot”
• Lisa’s advice for second- and third-generation family businesses when things get hard
• What Lisa has learned about how to be successful as an entrepreneur
• And more….

To learn more about Lisa, her business Inventing A to Z, or any of her books, visit https://inventingatoz.com/.  

At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit www.tncfb.com.

If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE  Transition Assessment (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant.

Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!

Our guest today is Jeff Rutt, CEO and Founder of KeystoneCustom Homes, a Pennsylvania-based home building company that has built over 8000 homes. Early in Jeff’s career, God got Jeff’s attention in the area of generosity.

It wasn’t long after starting Keystone that Jeff launched HopeInternational. Since its inception, HOPE has provided more than $1.5 billion dollars to more than 2.5 million small business owners across 24 countries in the form of microfinance loans in order to empower them to break their own cycle of poverty with the gifts that God gave them.

Over the years, Jeff has used profits from Keystone to fuelHope’s mission. However, Jeff and his family have taken another step further by giving away 89% of the ownership of Keystone through the National Christian Foundation.

In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:

• Why it is important to create social value alongside financial returns in your family business
• What the impact of Hope’s microfinancing initiative has been around the world
• Answers to the key questions a business owner should ask before starting a social enterprise initiative in their business
• How you can practice significant generosity in your business and continue their legacy by transitioning ownership to the next generation
• Advice for family business owners who might consider giving away their business as part of their transition plan
• And more….

To learn more about Jeff Rutt and Keystone Custom Homes, visit their website at www.keystonecustomhomes.com. To learn more about or partner with Hope International, visit www.hopeinternational.org.

At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit www.tncfb.com.

If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE  Transition Assessment (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant.

Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!

Our guest today is Eric Corliss.

Eric Corliss is the fifth-generation steward of CorlissManagement Group (CMG), a private real estate development and investment firm with deep roots in Washington State. Alongside his brother Steve, Eric has guided CMG’s evolution from its historic foundations in aggregates and sand and gravel into a contemporary enterprise emphasizing long-term real estate value, private lending, and strategic land development. Building upon the family’s existing foundation of over 2,000 acres across Pierce and King Counties, Eric has focused on enhancing operations, expanding the firm’s impact, and thoughtfully developing assets such as the 1,300-acre Sunrise master-planned community, along with multifamily, self-storage, commercial, and industrial properties. 

Eric combines hands-on operational expertise in finance,construction, and private lending with a deep commitment to multi-generational stewardship. His approach merges practical execution with visionary planning, fostering sustainable growth for the family enterprise. Additionally, Eric serves as Co-Principal of 1892 Capital Partners, CMG’s private lending arm, aligning flexible capital solutions with seasoned real estate professionals.

Beyond his professional responsibilities, Eric is dedicated to his role as a husband and father of three daughters. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys trail running and mountain biking with his family. 

In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:

• The ways to carry the weight of legacy, while still moving forward and evolving
• His experience with succession and what he would do differently
• How he and his brother share leadership of their family business
• How stewardship and succession planning are linked
• The myths around behind being a fifth-generation business and the importance of communication and family culture
• And more…

To learn more about Eric and Corliss Management Group visit https://www.corlissco.com/.

At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit www.tncfb.com.

If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE  Transition Assessment (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your businesstransition preparedness with a family business consultant.

Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!

Our guest today is Tyson Ray.

After nearly three decades building a successful financial advisory practice, Tyson thought he had it all figured out—until his 50th birthday reality check revealed his own succession plan was not what he thought it was.

That moment of brutal honesty sparked the question: “If I wasn’t prepared, how many other advisors are walking around with the same blind spot?”

The answer led to his book Total Succession, his SPACE™ framework (See, Prepare, Act, Commit, Exit), and The Total Succession podcast, where he helps financial advisors exit their businesses with clarity, confidence, and no regrets.

In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:

• Why focusing on business sellability canimprove the day-to-day and the future of a family business
• The mistakes family businesses make thatunintentionally make their business harder to sell
• That sellability is about more than just the family business owner’s financial outcome and can help protect employees, clients, and family members
• The reasons family business owners often build businesses that can’t function without them
• The signs to watch out for that a family business isn’t as sellable as owners assumed
• And more…

To learn more about Tyson and his business, visit https://totalsuccession.com/.

At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit www.tncfb.com.

If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE  Transition Assessment (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your businesstransition preparedness with a family business consultant.

Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!

Our guest today is Ruschelle Khanna.

Ruschelle is a Chief Wellness & Emotions Officer for families navigating the emotional and relational complexities of wealth, succession, and intergenerational legacy. She works with parents, adult children, and family systems to improve communication, heal inherited patterns, and support healthier leadership transitions. Through her private Family Alignment engagements, Ruschelle helps families move from tension and avoidance to clarity, trust, and shared direction. Her work is discreet, non-pathologizing, and designed to complement financial, legal, and advisory structures.

She is the author of Inherited Trauma and Family Wealth, a book exploring how unspoken emotional dynamics, family history, and identity shape financial decision-making and succession outcomes. 

Ruschelle is also the co-founder of the Ancestral HealingCenter.

In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:

• Why family business members find it difficultto discuss money
• When is the best time to start the transitionplanning conversation
• The signs that a family is reacting frominherited stress rather than responding from shared values
• How high-stress moments for family businessescan cause inherited patterns, bad or good, to surface and replay
• More about Ruschelle’s book and otherresources for family business members who recognize old patterns affectingtheir family’s business decisions
• And more…

To learn more about Ruschelle and her business, visit https://www.lifestyleforlegacy.com/.

At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit www.tncfb.com.

If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE  Transition Assessment (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your businesstransition preparedness with a family business consultant.

Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!