The Family Biz Show Family Wealth and Legacy LLC

Ep 89. The Future is Now: Talking Next Gen Family Business Readiness 

In this episode of The Family Biz Show, Shelley Taylor of Aspen Family Business/ABARTA joins us to discuss the importance of planning for the future of a family business, including the need for control and financial planning, the challenges of giving up control and the emotional attachment entrepreneurs have to their businesses. Shelley shares her experience of involving spouses in family business discussions and the value of seeking outside expertise, her thoughts on the importance of education and learning opportunities for the rising generations in family businesses. Listen in now! 

OUR GUEST 

SHELLEY TAYLOR 

Shelley Taylor* is a Family Business Advisor who works with business-owning families on matters pertaining to governance, structure, role clarity, next generation development, generational transitions, and family councils. 

Shelley joined the Aspen Family Business Group in 2018. Until December 2017, she was the Peer Forum Director at the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence (IEE) at the University of Pittsburgh where she has worked since 2000, previously serving as both Education Program Director and Membership Director.  Shelley continues her affiliation with the IEE as their Family Business Consultant. 

Shelley is the Family Council Chair for ABARTA, Inc., a third and fourth generation family business that owns and operates the tenth largest Coca-Cola distribution company in the United States.  The owning family of ABARTA began its strategic family process in 1990 prior to the leadership and ownership transition from the second to third generation. The family process is currently focused on education and development of the fourth generation. 

She is an independent director for c3controls, a private family business in Beaver, PA; is a former Chair and currently serves on the board of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre; and is past Chair and a board member of the Adams Foundation, a family philanthropy.  Shelley graduated from Cornell University (’83 Linguistics, with Distinction).  She holds an advanced certificate in family business advising (ACFBA) from the Family Firm Institute and is an FFI Fellow. 

------- 

If you’re a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! 

CRN-5868088-080823 

*not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. 

Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 88 - Successfully Navigating Family Business Dynamics 

In this episode of The Family Biz Show, Eric Slatten of ECS International joins us to talk about his journey into his family business, the importance of company culture, why it’s important to seek outside help, and how to build trust within a team. Eric also discusses the challenges his family business is facing and his strategies for overcoming them. Don’t miss this one! 
OUR GUEST 

ERIC SLATTEN* 

Eric Slatten has over 15 years of experience in the electronic component industry. He began his endeavors at ECS Inc. International in inside sales and soon progressed toward leading the global sales department.  

In January 2022, Eric became the company’s President while his father, Brad Slatten, remained ECS Inc. International’s CEO.  

Outside of overseeing daily business operations, Slatten fosters the corporate relationships between ECS Inc. and their supply chain and global distribution partners alongside the ECS Inc. regional sales managers and sales representative network. 

------- 

If you’re a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! 

CRN-5726637-060723 

*not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. 

Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

 

Ep 87. Lessons from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu; How to Successfully Lead a Family Business 

In this episode of the Family Biz Show, we talk to Christi Redfearn, a member of family-owned commercial janitorial company Redlee/SCS. Christi shares her journey of joining the family business and the history of the company, the struggles she faced, such as making payroll and dealing with cash flow issues, company growth and how they expanded into new markets. She also shares her favorite family traditions and how she has taken lessons in management from practicing Jiu-Jitsu! 

OUR GUEST 

CHRISTI REDFEARN* 

Christi Redfearn is the CEO of REDLEE/SCS, INC, a commercial janitorial company owned and operated by the Redfearn family since 1982. Having been immersed in the business from a young age, Christi has dedicated 20 years of her life to the janitorial field. Her journey began in the accounting department at her family's company, and she has since progressed through diverse roles, including responsibilities in operations, marketing, and development. 

As the CEO, Christi's ultimate goal is to showcase the capabilities of her employees and demonstrate that their work makes a significant difference. She strives to lead the company in an efficient manner, always finding new ways to improve operations and save costs. 

Christi is not only a driven businesswoman but also a mom of two and an amateur road racer. She embraces a well-rounded lifestyle, balancing her passion for yoga, enthusiasm for Star Wars, and dedication to jiu-jitsu, which reflects her commitment to physical and mental well-being. 

Her perspective as a CEO is centered on the value of the work done by her team, emphasizing that they play a crucial role in society. Christi is motivated by the legacy of her family business and aims to create opportunities for her employees and their families, just as others did for her father and grandfather, co-founders of the company. 

In her own words, Christi emphasizes the importance of the "thankless work" her company does, which is essential to keep the world functioning. She recognizes the support her family received from dedicated employees in the past and aims to carry that legacy forward by providing similar opportunities to others. 

Christi Redfearn's leadership style is driven by a desire to champion the underappreciated work of her company while fostering growth and opportunities for her team members. 

------- 

If you’re a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! 

CRN-5813031-071723 

*not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. 

Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 86. Building The Best: How MAC Products is Revolutionizing the Welding Industry 

In this episode of The Family Biz Show, CEO of Mac Products Eddie Russnow joins us and talks about the challenges his company has faced, including taking gambles on new products and solutions, and how they have become known for providing solutions to customers' pain points. Eddie also covers the transition of leadership within the family business, how he prepared heirs for the assets they will inherit, and the importance of company culture. Lastly, he shares his top priorities for the next 12 months, which include integrating a new acquisition and implementing a culture-wise program. 
OUR GUEST 

EDDIE RUSSNOW* 

After graduating from The George Washington University in 1988 with a degree in International Finance, my first job was in a commercial lending training program at a regional bank. I expected my career path to take me to Wall Street and Investment Banking. I never imagined I would end up with a career in Manufacturing. I have been with MAC Products since 1990 and have never looked back. The company has been in business for over 50 years. We are a family-owned company with three generations of our family in the office. My father-in-law started the business; then I came on board and two years ago my son joined. My business background, hands-on experience in the plant, and working alongside our customers have served me well throughout my career and ultimately enabled me to build a company that now serves most utilities and mass transit companies in the United States and Canada. My experience has taught me that the essential component of a business is building a team of people who make things happen. Without our employees, we would not be able to serve our customers. I believe in lifetime learning and have been an active Vistage member since 2017. Philanthropy is very important to me; I am a member of the Board of Directors for The Foundation Fighting Blindness. I am passionate about my family, friends, music, wine, and traveling the world. 

------- 

If you’re a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! 

CRN-5765579-062123 

*not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. 

Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances. 

Ep 85. Creating a Culture of Giving: The Spiritual Capital of a Family Bank
On this incredibly feel-good episode of The Family Biz Show, three-time returning guest Jay Hughes Jr. joins us to talk about his experience working with families and his passion for helping them flourish and evolve. Jay explains the idea behind the Family Bank and how it can help families manage their wealth and legacy, emphasizing the importance of growing spiritual and social capital within the family, rather than just focusing on the financial. Don’t miss another one of Jay’s episodes with us, as they’re always filled to the brim with family business wisdom that will transcend the age.
 
OUR GUEST
JAY HUGHES JR*
James E. “Jay” Hughes, Jr. is a sixth-generation counselor-at-law, now retired, author and co-author of multiple books and influential articles on family governance and wealth preservation. He is renowned for facilitating multigenerational family meetings, with an emphasis on governance issues. Hughes is frequently called on to address international and domestic symposia on helping families to flourish through the growth of their human, intellectual, spiritual, social and financial capital.
Through his pioneering work with families, Hughes has become the leading voice for a more enlightened, expansive approach to family office management and in turn, a mentor to countless family office executives. In 2021, the James E. Hughes, Jr. Foundation was established to honor Jay and the Hughes family lineage through educational programs and funding for advisors who are similarly called to serve families.
Find out more about Mr. Hughes on his website or through the Jay Hughes Jr Foundation.
-------
If you’re a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form!
CRN5765536-062123
*not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp.
Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.

Ep 84. Injecting Humanity into The Employee Experience 

On this episode of The Family Biz Show, we welcome back returning guest Joey Coleman* about his new book, "Never Lose an Employee Again," which focuses on the employee experience and the eight different phases an employee goes through. Joey discusses the importance of recognizing the emotional and mental journey of being an employee and how it is crucial to create a remarkable employee experience to have happier customers. Joey explains the eight phases of the employee journey & the need for personal and emotional connections in the workplace. Don’t miss this one! 

OUR GUEST 

JOEY COLEMAN* 

Joey Coleman helps companies keep their customers and employees. As an award-winning speaker, he shares his First 100 Days® methodology for improving customer and employee retention with organizations around the world (e.g., Whirlpool, Volkswagen Australia, and Zappos). His Wall Street Journal #2 best selling book, Never Lose a Customer Again, shows how to turn any sale into a lifelong customer and his upcoming book, Never Lose an Employee Again, details a framework companies around the world can use to reduce turnover and increase employee engagement. 

--- 

If you’re a family business or a family business consultant and want to be on the show, share your story and help other family businesses, send us an email to producer@thefamilybizshow.com or visit us at The Family Biz Show | Family Business Podcast With Michael Palumbos (familywealthandlegacy.com) to fill out our web form! 

 

CRN-5730689-060923   

*not affiliated with Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. 

Michael Palumbos is a registered representative of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp., a broker/dealer (member SIPC) and registered investment advisor. Insurance offered through Lincoln affiliates and other fine companies. Family Wealth & Legacy, LLC is not an affiliate of Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. Lincoln Financial Advisors Corp. and its representatives do not provide legal or tax advice. You may want to consult a legal or tax advisor regarding any legal or tax information as it relates to your personal circumstances.