Bloodlines and Bottomlines

Gershon Morgulis and Robert Moskovits

Bloodlines & Bottomlines dives into what really happens when family and business collide — rewarding, messy, and always full of stories worth telling.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Episode 7 - Ian Sterling

    Not all insurance is created equal; and neither are the businesses it protects. How do you build trust with clients, navigate a fourth-generation family business, and prepare the next generation without assuming they'll take the reins? In this episode, Ian Sterling, Assistant VP of Sterling Risk shares how a family business founded in 1932 has grown into a national insurance brokerage by putting relationships, ethics, and risk management ahead of simply selling policies. From leaving the family business and finding his way back, to preparing for succession and serving clients as a trusted advisor, Ian offers an inside look at what it takes to build a business that lasts. In this episode, we explore: •  What it means to be a risk manager; not just an insurance broker  •  Why every business needs an insurance strategy tailored to how it actually operates  •  Growing a fourth-generation family business while preserving its values  •  Leaving the family business, discovering new perspectives, and returning with renewed purpose  •  Building trust by putting clients' long-term interests first  •  Planning for succession without assuming leadership stays in the family  •  Creating a values-driven organization where leadership is earned, not inherited How does your business balance family, leadership, and long-term planning? Share your thoughts below. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations on family, business, and beyond. Co-hosts: Gershon Morgulis & Shlomo Morgulis  Guest: Ian Sterling  Connect with Bloodlines & Bottomlines: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram YouTube Spotify Apple Sponsored by Imperial Advisory

    41 min
  2. May 26

    Episode 6 - Andrew Tjernlund

    Stepping into a multi-generational family business comes with its own unique pressures—especially when you’re balancing legacy, innovation, and the realities of working alongside family. How do you grow a company that’s nearly a century old while still creating space for new ideas, new industries, and the next generation of leadership?  In this episode, Andrew Tjernlund shares the story behind his family’s 88-year-old manufacturing business and how it evolved from HVAC production into a diverse operation spanning Amazon distribution, licensing partnerships, warehousing, and emerging ventures. From navigating cousin partnerships and succession planning to embracing e-commerce and entrepreneurial experimentation, Andrew offers an honest perspective on adapting a legacy business for a rapidly changing world.  In this episode, we explore:   Growing and evolving a fourth- and fifth-generation family business  Expanding from traditional manufacturing into Amazon and e-commerce distribution  Balancing long-standing family dynamics with modern business innovation  Working alongside cousins across different generations and leadership styles  Why adaptability is essential for long-term business survival  Creating opportunities that attract younger talent and future leaders  Managing succession planning, ownership transitions, and buyout conversations  Building a workplace culture focused on flexibility, trust, and employee retention  Navigating entrepreneurship inside an established family enterprise  What’s been your experience working with family—or stepping into an established business? 👉 Subscribe for more insights on family, business, and beyond. Co-hosts: Gershon Morgulis & Robert Moskovits Guest: Andrew Tjernlund

    1 hr
  3. May 12

    Episode 5 - Lauren Goldman

    Stepping into a family business isn’t always part of the plan—but sometimes it becomes the path you never saw coming. How do you go from outsider to operator, especially in an industry most people misunderstand? In this episode, Lauren Goldman shares her journey from not fully understanding her family’s pawn business to becoming president of a multi-location operation in New York City. From revamping storefronts with duct tape and determination to helping scale the business into luxury retail and high-profile partnerships, Lauren offers an honest look at what it takes to lead, evolve, and prove yourself in a family-run enterprise. In this episode, we explore: - Growing into a family business you never expected to join - Demystifying the pawn industry and how collateral lending really works - Balancing innovation with long-standing family dynamics - Building credibility as the next generation of leadership - Managing growth across multiple locations and revenue streams - Navigating sibling partnerships, roles, and real-life tensions - Why adaptability—and people—are at the core of long-term success What’s been your experience working with family—or stepping into an established business? 👉 Subscribe for more insights on family, business, and beyond. Co-hosts: Gershon Morgulis & Robert Moskovits Guest: Lauren Goldman  Connect with Bloodlines & Bottomlines: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram YouTube Spotify Apple Sponsored by Imperial Advisory

    44 min

About

Bloodlines & Bottomlines dives into what really happens when family and business collide — rewarding, messy, and always full of stories worth telling.