While Matthew Cathy is a member of the Chick-fil-A dynasty, he also has found a way to follow his own path. Listen in to hear Dan and Matthew get into the evolution of the beloved restaurant chain and learn about Matthew's involvement with the family business. Plus, this episode is a preview of a panel on January 18, 2024, where Matthew will talk more in-depth about balancing legacy and innovation in a family business. Click here to learn more about that session: https://tinyurl.com/4n4r6smh The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for ..read more

Anne Smart is a former family business center director and has continued to support family-owned enterprises as an advisor at Generation6. Anne and Dan talk about well-performing family businesses and how Anne would advise families on the soft skills that are so important to a family business ..read more

What does it mean to plan for a sale? What are the advantages in running a business like you're selling it? Andy Swanson and Maxwell Youngquist from RSM give a preview of this topic, which they'll do a deep-dive into at the UNI Family Business Conference on Nov. 2, 2023 ..read more

On this episode, Dan talks with Jerry Foster, the founder and former CEO of Foster Group in Des Moines. Jerry recently led a workshop for our legacy group about this concept of the third phase of life. What does retirement look like? How do you let go of a business you’ve worked hard to build? Keep listening as Dan and Jerry explore these questions ..read more

We're thrilled to welcome Jane Blain Gilbertson and Sarah Gilbertson to the podcast! Jane is president, CEO and owner of the Blain's Farm & Fleet empire. Sarah, her daughter, is also in the business. The pair discuss their paths to joining the family business, the importance of a next generation, outside work experience and much more. Listen in to learn more, and then register to hear from them directly at the 2023 Iowa Family Business Conference on Nov. 2, as they're providing the keynote presentation ..read more

Martha Sullivan with the Family Business Consulting Group has insights for us today. She chats with Dan about growing your business longterm and keeping people happy in the short term—an especially tricky balance in a family business. Tune in to hear this conversation about family business best practices! The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps for success at https://unifamilybusinesscenter.com ..read more

In this episode of Never Go Against the Family, Dan talks with Mike Wells, retired CEO of Wells Enterprises. You might recognize them from their iconic Blue Bunny Ice Cream. Recently, this Le Mars, Iowa, family business made the decision to sell. Dan and Mike chat about some of the decision-making process. To hear more from Mike Wells and ask your own questions, tune into the Virtual Breakfast Series featuring Mike Wells on Thursday, Aug. 24. Register now! The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take your next steps ..read more

In this episode, Dan Beenken interviews Dennis Passis, who founded the Family Wealth Library and once led his own family’s business. Dennis shares his story about how a lack of succession planning ended his leadership and his relationship with his family. Now, he’s dedicated to collecting resources and engaging with centers like the UNI FBC to ensure that families are well-educated about succession and prepared to transition smoothly to the next generation of leadership. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. Take y ..read more

Never Go Against the Family is a production by the University of Northern Iowa Family Business Center. We know that family-owned businesses are different. We interview a member of a family business and experts from all different industries to hear their perspectives. As our favorite godfather Vito Corleone advises, never go against the family ..read more