The Family Biz Show

Most families think protecting wealth is enough. But what if the real risk to your legacy has nothing to do with money? What if the biggest threat is silence, lack of preparation, or disconnected generations? "I don't know how to involve my kids in these conversations." "What if our family relationships change after wealth transfer?" "How do we prepare the next generation without creating entitlement?" "Why do so many successful families still fall apart?" This conversation gives you the answer. In this episode of the Family Business Flywheel Podcast, Michael Palumbos sits down with Shawn Barberis, founder of More Than Money 360, to explore how families can reduce legacy risk beyond money. Too often, families focus exclusively on protecting financial assets while overlooking the relationships, communication, and leadership preparation required for long-term continuity. Shawn explains why successful multi-generational families intentionally prepare people — not just portfolios — and how family communication directly impacts wealth preservation, governance, and legacy outcomes. Drawing from nearly two decades of experience facilitating family meetings and advising affluent families, Shawn shares why rising generations frequently feel excluded from important conversations and how that disconnect creates long-term risks for both family harmony and business continuity. Shawn Barberis is the founder of More Than Money 360 and a recognized leader in the growing "FamTech" movement — technology designed to strengthen family communication, governance, and engagement across generations. With a background as an attorney and family advisor, Shawn has helped families and advisors create systems that support healthier multi-generational relationships and more intentional legacy planning. One of the most powerful insights from this episode is that many heirs are financially prepared but emotionally unprepared. Shawn explains why families that succeed across generations prioritize stewardship, communication, responsibility, and shared values long before a wealth transition occurs. You'll also learn how technology can help modern families create more consistent communication and engagement with younger generations who expect collaborative, digital-first experiences. This episode delivers practical and research-backed insight for family business owners, affluent families, next-generation leaders, and advisors looking to strengthen both family relationships and long-term continuity. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why wealth transfer often fails because of communication breakdowns How to engage rising generations in meaningful family conversations Why family governance should start before transition planning How technology can strengthen family communication and legacy education Why preparing heirs matters more than simply transferring wealth How successful families preserve both relationships and financial capital Why legacy planning must go beyond estate documents and tax strategies If you want your family legacy to survive beyond financial success, this episode offers practical insight into building stronger communication, deeper alignment, and healthier multi-generational leadership. Ready to strengthen your family legacy beyond financial wealth? Visit the Family Business Flywheel Podcast for more conversations, strategies, and insights designed for family business owners and next-generation leaders: https://www.familybusinessflywheel.com/podcast

What happens when family business partners stop sharing the same vision? And what actually saves the business when leadership conflict starts growing behind the scenes? If you've ever worried about succession, ownership transition, or communication breakdowns inside a family business… this episode will hit home. "I don't know if we're aligned anymore." "What happens if the next generation wants something different?" "How do you protect relationships when business decisions get difficult?" "What if leadership transition creates more tension instead of clarity?" This conversation gives you the answer. In this episode of The Family Biz Show, Mike Hayes of GLC Business Services shares the real-world story of navigating leadership transition, partner disagreements, succession planning, and ownership restructuring inside a multi-generational family business. Rather than avoiding conflict, Mike explains how honest communication, trust, and a properly structured buy-sell agreement helped the business move forward without destroying family relationships or company culture. Mike Hayes is the CEO of GLC Business Services, a company specializing in business process outsourcing, workplace support services, and operational staffing solutions. With a background that includes military leadership, operational management, and next-generation succession inside a family-owned business, Mike brings a unique perspective to leadership, culture, and long-term business continuity. One of the biggest insights from this episode is that many family business problems are not operational problems — they are communication and alignment problems. When ownership groups stop sharing the same vision, unresolved tension eventually impacts leadership, culture, and future growth. This episode also explores how strong company culture, mentorship, and employee trust can create long-term loyalty in industries known for high turnover. You'll also hear: Why buy-sell agreements matter more than most family businesses realize How leadership transitions expose communication weaknesses Why employee culture starts with leadership trust How to prepare a business to survive beyond one founder Why the next generation should not feel pressured into joining the business How military leadership principles shaped Mike's leadership philosophy If you're navigating succession planning, leadership transition, ownership restructuring, or family business communication challenges, this episode provides practical lessons grounded in real experience. Listen here: https://www.familybusinessflywheel.com/podcast

You don't build a lasting legacy by accident. You build it through stewardship, hard conversations, reinvention, and the willingness to think beyond yourself. But that's easier said than done. "Will the next generation be ready?" "How do we protect the family without losing the business?" "What happens when the legacy business no longer serves the future?" "How do you grow without losing family unity?" This conversation gives you the answer. In this episode of The Family Biz Show, Michael Palumbos sits down with Mike Young of Wiggis & Young to explore how one fourth-generation family business evolved from California farming roots into a modern family office focused on long-term stewardship and generational continuity. Mike shares the story of his family's journey through agriculture, vertical integration, technology, strategic exits, and family governance — all while maintaining strong relationships across generations. He explains why communication, mentorship, and adaptability have been critical to sustaining the family enterprise for more than 125 years. Mike Young is a fourth-generation family business leader, entrepreneur, and author of The Farmer's Code: How Legacies Are Built. His family business traces its roots back to the late 1800s and has evolved through multiple industries while preserving a strong culture of stewardship and family unity. One of the biggest insights from this episode is the distinction between ownership and stewardship. Mike explains that true legacy is not about holding onto assets at all costs — it's about protecting opportunities, relationships, and values for future generations. This episode also provides practical lessons on succession planning, next-generation leadership, governance structures, and preparing heirs to become responsible stewards of family wealth. You'll also hear: Why healthy communication matters more than perfect business strategy How mentorship between generations strengthens succession Why reinvention is essential for long-term survival How the family handled difficult decisions around selling legacy assets Why legacy is built "in people," not just left behind for them If you're navigating growth, succession, leadership transition, or long-term family continuity, this episode will challenge how you think about wealth, ownership, and legacy. Because the strongest family businesses don't simply preserve the past — they prepare future generations to thrive. 🎧 Listen to more episodes of The Family Biz Show: https://www.familybusinessflywheel.com/podcast

What if the leadership breakthrough your business needs starts with listening differently? What if better conversations could completely transform your family business, your leadership team, and your future? "I feel like my team isn't fully engaged." "We keep having the same conversations over and over." "I know succession matters… but I don't know how to let go." "I want the next generation to lead — but I'm not sure they're ready." "I'm exhausted trying to hold everything together." This conversation gives you the answer. In this episode, Brent Robertson joins Michael Palumbos to explore the transformative power of generative listening — and why the future of leadership depends on creating space for deeper conversations, possibility, and meaningful human connection. Rather than staying trapped in conversations about "what is" and "what was," Brent explains how leaders can open conversations around "what could be." The discussion reframes succession planning, leadership transition, and organizational growth as opportunities for transformation instead of disruption. Brent Robertson is the founder of B Generative and a leadership development expert focused on helping organizations unlock transformational growth through conversation, listening, and future-focused leadership practices. His generative listening programs are now taught across leadership organizations throughout North America, helping executives and teams improve communication, culture, and strategic thinking. At the core of this episode is a powerful realization: most organizations don't fail because of a lack of strategy — they struggle because they aren't creating the right conversations. When leaders learn how to create space for possibility, imagination, and honest dialogue, entirely new futures become possible. This episode gives you practical, actionable ways to improve leadership communication, succession conversations, team engagement, and organizational culture immediately. You'll also hear: Why most succession planning conversations fail How leaders accidentally limit innovation Why transformational leadership starts with listening How to create conversations that inspire future growth Why letting go is critical for next-generation leadership How family businesses can build stronger cultures through communication If you're navigating leadership transition, family business succession, organizational growth, or team communication challenges, this episode will change the way you think about leadership. Listen now: https://www.familybusinessflywheel.com/podcast

What if the most valuable thing your family business could pass down isn't money… but the story behind it? What if future generations could hear the voices, values, struggles, and lessons that built your family's legacy? "Will our story be forgotten?" "Do the next generation really understand what it took to build this?" "How do we preserve more than just the business?" "What happens when family history disappears?" This conversation gives you the answer. In this episode, you'll discover how storytelling can preserve the heart of a family business long after milestones, transactions, and transitions fade from memory. Eriksen Dickens shares how he and his brother transformed a childhood love of filmmaking into a mission-driven business helping families document their stories, values, and legacy. Rather than treating legacy as only financial succession, this episode reframes it as something deeply human — the preservation of identity, wisdom, relationships, and meaning across generations. Eriksen Dickens is a filmmaker and storyteller focused on helping families preserve their history through documentary storytelling. Through his work, he helps family businesses and multi-generational families capture the experiences, lessons, and values that shaped their journey. At the core of this conversation is a powerful realization: families often spend decades building a legacy, but very little time preserving the stories behind it. Without intentional storytelling, future generations may inherit the business — but lose the context, sacrifices, and values that gave it meaning. This episode provides practical insight into sibling collaboration, legacy preservation, and how storytelling can strengthen generational connection in family enterprises. You'll also hear how documentary storytelling creates emotional connection, strengthens family identity, and becomes a lasting tool for continuity. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why preserving family stories matters as much as preserving wealth How storytelling strengthens generational connection in family businesses Why working with siblings can become a powerful business advantage How legacy documentaries help families communicate values Why future generations need more than financial inheritance How documenting family history creates long-term continuity If you care about preserving the deeper meaning behind your family business, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about legacy, leadership, and what truly deserves to be passed on. Listen to more episodes here: https://www.familybusinessflywheel.com/podcast

What does it take to build a business that lasts for generations? Not years. Not decades. Generations. Have you ever wondered: "Will the next generation want to join the business?" "How do we pass leadership without losing momentum?" "Can a family business continue growing while staying true to its roots?" "What separates businesses that survive from those that disappear?" This conversation offers a real-world example. For more than 50 years, the Firkins family has built, expanded, and evolved Tile Wholesalers through changing markets, economic shifts, industry disruptions, and generational transitions. In this episode, Michael Palumbos sits down with three generations of the Firkins family to explore the decisions, relationships, and leadership principles that helped transform a one-man operation into a thriving regional business. Meet the Guests Al Firkins founded Tile Wholesalers in 1972 after years of industry experience and a willingness to take a leap into entrepreneurship. Dave Firkins, second-generation president, helped expand the company into commercial markets, modernize operations, and lead significant growth initiatives. Kathryn Firkins, Vice President, provides a unique perspective on family relationships, communication, and the trust required to work alongside family members every day. Conor Firkins, third-generation leader, shares how he is preparing to guide the business into its next chapter. Thriving family businesses don't survive because they avoid change. They survive because they embrace change while preserving the values that matter most. The Firkins family demonstrates how trust, communication, service, and continuous learning can create a foundation strong enough to support multiple generations of leadership. In This Episode, You'll Learn: How trust strengthens leadership transitions Why customer service remains a competitive advantage How family businesses can adapt without losing their identity Why learning from previous generations matters How to prepare future leaders for success Why great teams are essential to long-term growth How family businesses remain competitive in changing markets Every family business hopes to create something that lasts. This conversation shows what that journey looks like in practice—through hard work, trust, adaptability, and a commitment to serving both customers and future generations. If you're building a family business for the long term, this episode provides valuable lessons from a family that has successfully done it. Ready to strengthen your family business and learn from other multi-generational leaders? Listen to more conversations and access additional resources at: 👉 https://www.familybusinessflywheel.com/podcast

What if buying a family business wasn't about changing everything—but protecting what matters most? What if the key to growing a company was honoring its legacy while building its future? "I know I need a succession plan, but where do I start?" "My business depends too much on me." "I want to retire someday, but I don't know if my company is ready." "What happens if there isn't a family member to take over?" "Am I building a business—or just creating myself another job?" This conversation gives you the answer. In this episode of The Family Biz Show, Michael Palumbos sits down with Michael Bower, owner of Eagle Metal Craft, to explore the realities of buying a family business and leading it through transformation. Michael shares how he acquired a third-generation manufacturing company that was experiencing declining sales, low energy, and an uncertain future—and how he helped rebuild it without sacrificing the culture and values that made it special. Rather than focusing solely on profits or operations, this conversation reveals what truly drives long-term business success: leadership, succession planning, accountability, culture, and a commitment to thinking beyond the current generation. About Michael Bower Michael Bower is the owner of Eagle Metal Craft, a precision manufacturing company founded in 1953. After spending more than two decades in engineering, operations, and leadership roles within major corporations, Michael pursued his dream of business ownership by acquiring a multi-generation family business and leading its turnaround. Under his leadership, Eagle Metal Craft has strengthened its culture, improved operational performance, increased business value, and positioned itself for long-term growth. Many business owners spend years building successful companies but never prepare them for transition. When succession planning is ignored, value erodes, leadership gaps emerge, and employees face uncertainty. Michael's story demonstrates how intentional leadership and long-term planning can preserve a company's legacy while creating greater opportunities for future generations. This episode offers practical insights for family business owners, entrepreneurs, CEOs, and advisors who want to build stronger companies, improve business value, and prepare for eventual ownership transition. You'll hear real-world lessons on business acquisitions, leadership development, operational excellence, culture building, and succession planning from someone who has lived through the process firsthand. You'll discover why Michael believes every owner should be preparing for an exit years before they plan to leave—and how that mindset helped increase the value of his company nearly fourfold. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why buying a family business requires more than understanding financial statements How poor succession planning can destroy business value Why family business culture matters during ownership transitions How leadership creates stability during periods of uncertainty Why owners should stop treating their company like a lifestyle business How to build a business that can grow without the founder Why accountability and clear roles matter in family enterprises How strategic planning can dramatically increase company value The strongest businesses aren't built for one generation—they're built to endure. Whether you're preparing to acquire a company, planning a future transition, or building a lasting family enterprise, this conversation will help you think differently about legacy, leadership, and long-term value. 🎙️ Learn more and explore additional episodes: https://www.familybusinessflywheel.com/podcast