The Business of Family

Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we work, lead, and grow—but what does that mean for family businesses rooted in tradition?

This week on The Business of Family Podcast, Tammy Buss sits down with Shaara Roman, Founder & CEO of Silverene Group, to explore how AI and organizational culture intersect—and why keeping your people at the center is the key to success.

We dive into:
🤖 How AI can reshape (not replace...

A few weeks ago, we sat down with Domenic Luisi, founder of Rubinet Faucet Company, to hear the origin story of a brand built to last.

Now, we hear from the next generation. Tammy Buss interviews Michael and Frank Luisi to explore their journey of stepping into leadership, defining their roles as brothers in business, and balancing their father’s legacy with their own vision for Rubinet’s future.

In this episode, they share:<...

We’re thrilled to introduce Family Matters: Legal Edition — a brand-new monthly segment of The Business of Family Podcast!

Co-hosted by Tammy Buss (Founder of BlueRoots Inc.) and Yola Ventresca (Managing Partner at Lerners LLP), this series dives into the often-overlooked legal side of family business. From governance and ownership to conflict resolution, shareholder agreements, and succession planning — we’ll tackle it all.

...

Family businesses are built on legacy—but sometimes that legacy causes more conflict than clarity.

Doug Noll is back on the podcast to explore the emotional undercurrents of family business disputes and how to navigate them with empathy, structure, and foresight.

Whether you’re passing the torch or still holding it, don’t miss Doug’s expert advice.

#BusinessOfFamily #LegacyPlanning #FamilyConflict #DougNoll #NextGenLeaders...

🎙️ Legacy on Repeat – We’re rewinding the tape and revisiting one of our most practical and insightful conversations.

In this episode, Tammy Buss sits down with Brett Thompson, a business consultant who helps owners stop working in their business and start working on it.

Brett  and Tammy discuss why having a plan makes your business worth more, how to align your vision with your values, and the tools every entrepreneur needs...

✨ Legacy on Repeat ✨

This week we’re bringing back a powerful conversation with Andrew Moss, CPA, CA, Partner at BDO Canada LLP.

In this episode, we dive into the critical role financial guidance plays in setting your business up for long-term success.

If you’ve ever wondered when is the right time to call in a professional, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

🎧 Tune in now and catch the r...

🎙️ Legacy on Repeat

We’re rewinding the tape and bringing back one of our most inspiring conversations.

In this episode, Tammy sits down with Lisa Ferguson, CMO of Hangar 9 in London, Ontario — a family business led by strong women entrepreneurs who are paving the way for others to follow.

Lisa shares the growing pains, pivotal moments, and bold decisions that shaped Hangar 9 into the success story it is today. It’s a candid conversa...

🎙️ Legacy on Repeat – a new segment from The Business of Family

We’re rewinding the tape and bringing you one of our mostimpactful conversations from the past in a new segment we’re calling Legacy on Repeat.

We’re kicking it off with The Why — where it all began.

In this foundational conversation, Tammy sits down with herhusband Gerard and sons William and Edward to reflect on building their family business — the wins, the missteps, ...

On this week's episode, we chat with Dominic Luisi. Dominic built Rubinet Faucet Company from the ground up — long before there was talk of legacy, succession, or second-generation leadership.

In this episode, Dominic shares what it took to grow a business while raising a family, and how his sons eventually found their way into the company — on their own terms.

We talk about the early days, the turning points, and the hon...

What happens when science meets storytelling—and family meets business?

Meet cousins and co-founders Angela and Travis, the powerhouse duo behind Tipton Franklin Marketing Strategies, who are redefining what’s possible for AgTech and Biotech brands. 🌱🔬

In this episode, we dive into:
✨ How their family dynamics fuel their professional collaboration
🔬 Angela’s shift from lab bench to boardroom
🚜 How growing up on a farm sh...

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Is “fair” always “equal” in a family business? Not quite.

We’re joined once again by Dr. Sarah Burrows, professor of Entrepreneurship at Queen’s University, to unpack the often-misunderstood fair vs. equitable debate through the lens of the Three-Circle Model.

Together, we explore:
🔸 How your perspective (owner, family, or business) can shape your definition of fairness
🔸 Why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for ...

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Andrea Henry, business lawyer and intellectual property strategist who specializes in helping entrepreneurs and family businesses safeguard what they’ve built.

From trademarks and branding to proprietary systems and family legacy, Andrea shares real-life cautionary tales and smart legal strategies for protecting your intellectual property—before conflict arises.

💡 Learn:
✔️ What IP really ...

In this episode, we welcome Doug Noll—lawyer turned peacemaker, mediator of over 2000 disputes, and conflict resolution expert trusted by everyone from Fortune 500 family businesses to maximum-security prisons.

Doug shares:
✅ The surprising emotional skill that instantly defuses tension
✅ How to navigate conflict in family businesses with empathy and validation
✅ Practical tools like affect labeling that turn arguments into understandi...

In this episode, we sit down with Mitchell J. Panter, Managing Partner of Panter, Panter & Sampedro, to hear how he and his brother turned their different legal beginnings—defense vs. plaintiff—into the foundation of one of Miami’s most respected personal injury law firms.

Mitch opens up about:
✅ The challenges and rewards of working with family
✅ How they balance brotherhood with business
✅ Succession planning and preparing the ne...

What does it take to build a business that lasts generations — and keeps its people for decades?

On this episode, we sit down with Derek Volk, third-generation owner of Volk Packaging Corporation, to hear how his family grew a thriving packaging business rooted in loyalty, purpose, and service. With nearly half of his team staying 10+ years (and some over 20!), Derek shares lessons on leadership, family dynamics in business, and...

Succession planning is one of the most critical—and complex—challenges facing family businesses today. How do you prepare the next generation while honoring the past? How early should you start? What pitfalls must you avoid?

In this insightful conversation with John Ursin, the Managing Partner of Schenck Price, we explore:

✅ Why succession planning is essential for survival and growth
✅ The most common mistakes businesses ...

We’re joined by powerhouse sisters Dominique Waples-Trefil, JD and Dr. Flora Waples — the dynamic duo behind RESTOR Medical Spa, one of Denver’s top medical aesthetics and functional medicine practices.

From walking away from law and medicine to build a brand that’s redefining aging, to navigating the challenges (and joys) of working with family, Dominique and Flora share the real story behind their success.

We dive into:
💡 How t...

This week on the podcast, I sit down with Dr. Sarah Burrows, professor of Entrepreneurship at Smith School of Business, to explore the unique dynamics of family businesses.

We dig into:

💬 Why family communication is the biggest success—or failure—factor 

🧠 The shift from entrepreneurial illbeing to wellbeing

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Succession vs. continuity: what's the real difference? 

🔍 Why understanding family science is key to busine...

Jane Antoniak, Strategic Communication Consultant, sits down with podcast host, author and advisor Tammy Buss to talk about her powerful new book: Dream it, Build it, Pass it on: How to Align Values, Vision, Mission.

They discuss:

- Why don’t more first-generation businesses stay in the family?- Are we avoiding the hard conversations?- How can values-based vision—and some honest planning—change the future?

In this candid episode, Tamm...