Up In Your [Family] Business

Todd Rimer, Tammy Coleman

We love everything about a family business because we are a family business. Our company has endured the difficult start-up years, the highs of growth, and the lows of a family breakup. As family business owners, we often feel like we are on an island. We believe the challenges we're facing are unique to only us, but the reality is a large percentage of family business owners struggle with similar challenges: -Not enough time to get everything done -Wearing too many hats -Family members in the wrong seat in the business -Struggling with retaining employees And so on… We don't want you on an island. We want you to join our podcast community where family business owners can connect, share, learn, vent, cry, laugh, and gain insights that can help them make their businesses thrive. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a newcomer to the family business lifestyle, this podcast is for you. We'll be bringing you expert insights, business owner interviews, success and failure stories, family business resources, and practical tips that you can consider for your own family business.

  1. Feb 3

    How Owners Reward, Retain, & Retire Smarter | Dennis & Alex Parrish, The Spectrum Financial Group

    Business owners face a unique challenge: how to reward key employees, protect their business, and prepare for retirement, all without overpaying in taxes or relying solely on selling the company someday. In this episode of Up In Your (Family) Business, host Todd Rimer welcomes back Alex Parrish, Financial Advisor and Director at The Spectrum Financial Group, joined by her father and company President, Dennis Parrish.  Together, they share creative compensation strategies most business owners have never heard of, from executive bonuses and deferred compensation plans to using permanent life insurance as a tax-advantaged wealth-building tool. They will discuss why traditional benefits fall short for business owners, how these strategies can help you retain and attract top talent, and how life insurance can serve as both a protection plan and a powerful financial engine for long-term security. If you're looking for innovative ways to grow, protect, and leverage your business and personal wealth, you won't want to miss this conversation.  Tune in to hear: How to use life insurance as a vehicle for compensation, retention, and key employee benefits.  The tax-smart strategies high-earning business owners are missing out on. Why selling your business isn't a retirement plan alone.  How creative planning with permanent life insurance can build tax-free wealth you can't outlive. Real case studies showing how strategic planning enhances both business and personal financial goals.  The mindset shift from income now to strategic wealth for later. If you've ever wondered how to reward your team, protect your business, and lower your tax burden, this conversation is for you.

    51 min
  2. Jan 19

    Living Out Faith in the Workplace & Marketplace | DJ Blatherwick, Brick+Ember Outfitters

    In this episode of Up In Your (Family) Business, Todd Rimer sits down with DJ Blatherwick, Director of Culture and Business Development at Brick + Ember Outfitters, for a candid and heartfelt conversation about living out faith in both the workplace and the marketplace. Not just through actions, but through honest, appropriate openness. After spending 15 years as a pastor, DJ transitioned into the business world with a passion for building healthy teams, meaningful culture, and values-driven leadership. He shares how his faith shapes his life and work, how he came to Brick + Ember Outfitters (owned by a former pastor), and how faith and values influence the way DJ and the company serve its people, customers, and community. Together, Todd and DJ discuss:  Why people want to work for organizations that stand for something meaningful Why values are most powerful when lived out consistently How faith can shape leadership, decision-making, and relationships.  They also talk about why living out faith is not only about actions, but about being willing, when appropriate, to acknowledge and share the values and beliefs that shape how we live and lead. This episode invites listeners to consider what it looks like to authentically live their values, not loudly or forcefully, but through everyday actions and the quiet confidence of a life well-lived. Whether you are a leader, an employee, or a family business owner, this conversation offers encouragement, perspective, and a reminder that faith and values don't stop at the church door. They're meant to be lived where we work and serve every day.

    52 min
  3. 11/19/2025

    The Truth About Life Insurance: What Business Owners and Families Need to Know

    Life insurance is often misunderstood, underestimated, or completely overlooked, especially by busy business owners and growing families. But did you know that over 100 million Americans are uninsured or underinsured? Or that nearly 1 in 3 people would face financial hardship within a month if their household's primary earner passed away unexpectedly? In this episode, we sit down with Alex Parrish, Financial Advisor and Director at The Spectrum Financial Group, to learn the value of life insurance beyond the traditional sales pitch. With deep expertise in holistic financial planning, Alex explains the different types of life insurance and shares common misconceptions, like why being "self-insured" is a (dangerous) myth. Whether you're a business owner planning for long-term financial security or a parent protecting your family's future, this conversation offers practical, eye-opening insights into how life insurance can be a powerful tool, not just a safety net. Tune in to learn: The true purpose and types of life insurance Why life insurance is more than just a death benefit—it's a living financial tool The risks of overestimating how much coverage you have or need How to avoid the most common life insurance mistakes Why regularly evaluating your policy can save you money and improve protection Ways life insurance can support long-term financial stability How to evaluate your financial strategies with taxes—not just ROI—in mind If you've ever questioned whether you need life insurance, if you have the right kind,  or the correct amount of coverage, this episode is for you.

    1h 11m

Trailer

About

We love everything about a family business because we are a family business. Our company has endured the difficult start-up years, the highs of growth, and the lows of a family breakup. As family business owners, we often feel like we are on an island. We believe the challenges we're facing are unique to only us, but the reality is a large percentage of family business owners struggle with similar challenges: -Not enough time to get everything done -Wearing too many hats -Family members in the wrong seat in the business -Struggling with retaining employees And so on… We don't want you on an island. We want you to join our podcast community where family business owners can connect, share, learn, vent, cry, laugh, and gain insights that can help them make their businesses thrive. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or a newcomer to the family business lifestyle, this podcast is for you. We'll be bringing you expert insights, business owner interviews, success and failure stories, family business resources, and practical tips that you can consider for your own family business.