Foundations.

 

My own background in family business as the President/CEO of Loveland Pet Products includes a successful second to third generation transition from my father to my brother and me. As a family business serving other family businesses, I lived many of the joys and trials experienced in family firms.  We grew our business from $2 million to $55 million before a strategic sale in 2008. Even without the business, our family, its values, and legacy live on. 

 

As the program director for the Goering Center for Family and Private Business at the University of Cincinnati, I had the privilege of working with family businesses navigating the transition process. 

Often families found it difficult to begin the intimate and confusing discussions around succession and transition.  Inertia often set-in and families deferred to the future… fearing loss of family, the business, and personal identity. A transition strategy integrating business, family, and personal needs determines healthy outcomes.  Intentional implementation over a period of years

ensures its success.

 

Now, through Segue Insights, I help business families navigate the generational transition journey, as well as to put into place family governance structures that build strong families, and strong businesses.  The foundation of all of this is clear communication.  Families that can talk together can solve anything!