When a family business loses a sibling, the impact goes far beyond the loss of a loved one.

The business changes. Relationships shift. Leadership responsibilities evolve. And families are left navigating grief while still trying to keep the business moving forward.

In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast, Tammy sits down with Matt Nielsen of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas to have a deeply personal conversation about what happens when loss changes everything.

Matt shares his family’s experience navigating the unexpected death of a sibling who was also a business partner,  and the lessons that came from facing grief, uncertainty, and the responsibility of carrying the family business forward.

This is a powerful reminder that continuity planning isn’t just about protecting a business. It’s about protecting relationships, honoring the people who built it, and giving the next generation a stronger foundation to carry it forward.

Listen to When Loss Changes Everything: Navigating the Death of a Sibling in a Family Business.

#FamilyBusiness #FamilyEnterprise #BusinessOfFamily #LegacyPlanning #SuccessionPlanning #FamilyBusinessAdvisory #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #GenerationalBusiness #BuildingLegacy #SiblingsInBusiness #BlueRoots #NielsenMasseyVanillas #Podcast #BusinessPodcast

When people hear the word "trust," they often think it's only for the ultra-wealthy.

The reality? Trusts can be a powerful tool for families who want to protect what matters most, whether that's a family business, family cottage, investments, or simply the relationships that matter across generations.

In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast, Tammy sits down with Jandy John from Concentra Trust to demystify trusts and answer the questions many families have but aren't sure who to ask.

Together they discuss:
✔ What a trust is (and isn't)
✔ Why families choose to establish trusts
✔ How trusts support family business succession
✔ Common misconceptions that hold people back
✔ Practical advice for families thinking about their future

The best legacy plans aren't just about transferring assets, they're about creating clarity, protecting relationships, and ensuring your wishes are carried out the way you intended.

🎧 Listen now and discover why trusts may be worth a conversation with your family and professional advisors.

#FamilyBusiness #FamilyLegacy #Trusts #EstatePlanning #SuccessionPlanning #FamilyEnterprise #BusinessContinuity #WealthTransfer #FamilyGovernance #ConcentraTrust #BusinessOfFamily #BlueRoots #Podcast #BusinessPodcast

Fair pay or family privilege?

In a family business, compensation is rarely just about the paycheck.

It's about fairness. It's about recognition. It's about trust.

When family and business overlap, questions like "Why do they make more than me?" or "Should family be treated differently?" can quickly become emotional and create lasting tension.

In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast – Family Matters: Legal Edition, Tammy Buss and Yola Ventresca explore how family businesses can create compensation practices that are fair, transparent, and built to strengthen both the family and the business.

In this episode, we discuss:
✔️ Why compensation becomes so personal in family businesses
✔️ The difference between equal and fair
✔️ Why you should pay for the role, not the relationship
✔️ Salary vs. ownership distributions
✔️ How governance and clear policies reduce conflict
✔️ Navigating difficult conversations about compensation and family expectations

When compensation decisions are guided by clear principles instead of assumptions, families spend less time managing conflict, and more time building a stronger business together.

🎧 Listen now and join the conversation.

#FamilyBusiness #SuccessionPlanning #FamilyEnterprise #BusinessGovernance #Leadership #Compensation #BusinessStrategy #Legacy #FamilyBusinessAdvisors #Lawyers #LernersLLP #BlueRoots #BusinessPodcast #LegalPodcast #Podcast

A legacy isn’t just what you leave behind. It’s also the clarity you leave your family with.

Too often, families avoid conversations about estate planning because they feel uncomfortable, complicated, or like something that can wait for another day. But when wishes aren’t communicated and plans aren’t documented, families can be left navigating uncertainty, difficult decisions, and unnecessary emotional stress during an already challenging time.

On this Legacy on Repeat episode of the Business of Family Podcast, Tammy Buss sits down with Sandra Pollack, Founder of Trimaran Advisory and author of Don’t Leave a Mess, to discuss:

✨ Why estate planning is about more than just documents
✨ The importance of communicating your wishes with your family
✨ How to avoid leaving behind confusion and conflict
✨ The steps families can take today to create clarity for tomorrow

Because the greatest gift you can give your family isn’t just what you leave them, it’s knowing exactly what you wanted and why.

🎧 Listen to Legacy on Repeat: Don’t Leave a Mess – Estate Planning

#LegacyPlanning #EstatePlanning #FamilyBusiness #FamilyLegacy #WealthTransfer #SuccessionPlanning #FamilyCommunication #LegacyOnRepeat #TheBusinessOfFamily #BlueRoots #TrimaranAdvisory

What does it really feel like to grow up inside a family business?

For Chad Berg of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, the answer is layered. It’s about watching his parents build something meaningful, finding his own path within the business, and learning how to balance family relationships with business decisions.

In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast, Chad shares his perspective on:

💎 Growing up surrounded by the family business
💎 How his journey into leadership differed from his siblings
💎 Defining roles within a family business
💎 How his view of success and legacy has evolved
💎 The lessons he believes every family business can learn

Every family member has a different story, and Chad’s perspective brings another important piece to the Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry family business journey.

Tune in as we continue exploring what it takes to build, lead, and pass down a family business for future generations.

🎧 Listen to the latest episode of The Business of Family Podcast.

#FamilyBusiness #BusinessFamily #FamilyEnterprise #Legacy #SuccessionPlanning #NextGeneration #Leadership #Entrepreneurship  #TheBusinessOfFamily #Jewelry #LeeMichaelsFineJewelry #BlueRoots #Podcast #BusinessPodcast #Siblings #SiblingsInBusiness

Every family business begins with someone willing to take a chance.

In 1978, Lee Michael Berg started Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry with a vision, and determination. Today, his sons are leading the business forward, proving that building a company is only part of the journey, building a legacy is what truly lasts.

Whether you're a first-generation founder, preparing for transition, or part of the next generation, Lee's story offers valuable insight into what it takes to create a business that can thrive for generations.

🎧 Tune in and hear why succession isn't about stepping away, it's about setting the next generation up to succeed.

#FamilyBusiness #SuccessionPlanning #LeadershipTransition #LegacyOnRepeat #BusinessLegacy #NextGeneration #Entrepreneurship #FamilyEnterprise

Who really owns the family business... and who actually controls it?

They're not always the same thing.

One of the biggest misconceptions we see in family businesses is assuming ownership automatically means decision-making authority. In reality, ownership and control can look very different, and misunderstanding the distinction can create conflict, confusion, and costly succession mistakes.

In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast: Family Matters Legal Edition, Tammy Buss and Yola Ventresca are joined by Mark McAuley, Partner at Lerners LLP.

Whether you're planning for the next generation or simply trying to better understand your family's business structure, this episode offers practical insights that every family business owner should hear.

🎧 Listen now and start the conversations before assumptions become problems.

#FamilyBusiness #SuccessionPlanning #Governance #Ownership #BusinessTransition #FamilyEnterprise #Leadership #BusinessOfFamilyPodcast #FamilyMatters #LegalPodcast #Legal #Podcast #BusinesPodcast #BlueRoots #LernersLLP

At what point does a business become more than just a way to earn a living?

Is it when the next generation joins? When shared values shape every decision? Or when you're building something designed to last beyond yourself?

In this episode of Legacy on Repeat, Tammy sits down with Martha MacDonald, Wealth Advisor with National Bank, to discuss her journey of joining her father's practice and what it truly means to build a family business.

Whether you're already working alongside family or wondering what the future of your business could look like, this conversation offers valuable insights on legacy, succession, and creating something that lasts.

🎧 Listen now

#LegacyOnRepeat #TheBusinessOfFamily #FamilyBusiness #FamilyBusinessSuccess #BusinessLegacy #SuccessionPlanning #NextGeneration #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwners #WealthManagement #LegacyPlanning #NationalBank 

What happens when three brothers help lead the family business their parents built?

In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast, Tammy Buss sits down with Scott Berg, co-owner of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, to explore the realities of working alongside siblings, balancing family relationships with business decisions, and carrying forward a family legacy.

Scott shares his perspective on growing up around the business, how leadership responsibilities evolved between him and his brothers, and why his definition of success has changed over time.

Whether you're part of a family business or simply navigating family dynamics at work, you'll find valuable insights on leadership, communication, legacy, and long-term success.

🎧 Listen now 

#TheBusinessOfFamily #FamilyBusiness #Leadership #SuccessionPlanning #FamilyEnterprise #Legacy #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPodcast #BrothersInBusiness #NextGen #Podcast #BusinessPodcast #Jewelry #LeeMichaelsFineJewelry #BlueRoots

What does it take to successfully run a family business with your sibling?

In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast, Tammy Buss sits down with Ed Etheridge, co-owner of Black Walnut Bakery Café, to discuss the realities of building and growing a family business alongside his sister.

From navigating roles and responsibilities, to overcoming the devastating impact of an arson fire at their original location, Ed shares honest lessons on resilience, communication, and staying united through life's biggest challenges.

Whether you're working with family today or planning for the future of your family enterprise, this conversation is filled with practical wisdom and inspiration.

🎧 Listen now and discover why a shared vision, strong communication, and putting family above business may be the most important ingredients for long-term success.

#TheBusinessOfFamily #FamilyBusiness #SuccessionPlanning #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BlackWalnutBakeryCafe #FamilyFirst #Bakery #Cafe #BusinessPodcast #Podcast #BlueRoots