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In this episode of Family Matters: Legal Edition, Tammy Buss and Yola Ventresca are joined by Kim Cura, Partner at Lerners LLP, to explore what can happen when estate planning and corporate agreements don’t align. A founder may leave shares in the family business to a child in their will, only for a shareholders’ agreement to require those shares to be bought out when they die. The result can be unexpected consequences for the next generation, disputes between siblings, and questions about what the founder truly intended. Kim breaks down which documents can take precedence, why these conflicts happen, and how they can affect succession, ownership, and family relationships. Listen to the podcast to learn how family business owners can protect their intentions, prepare the next generation, and help ensure their legal documents work together rather than against each other. #FamilyBusiness #FamilyBusinessSuccession #EstatePlanning #ShareholdersAgreement #Wills #BlueRoots #LernersLLP #LegalPodcast #BusinessPodcast #Legal

Networking is often talked about as a key to business success, but are you networking with purpose? In this Legacy on Repeat episode, Tammy revisits her conversation with Barbara Kephart, founder of Projects Pivot and a project management expert, about how the right connections can open doors, create opportunities, and positively impact your business. Tune in for a conversation about making networking more meaningful and building relationships that can support your business along the way. #Networking #BusinessNetworking #FamilyBusiness #FamilyBusinessSuccess #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #BusinessRelationships #BuildingConnections #BusinessLeadership #SmallBusiness  #BlueRoots

What happens to a family business’s digital assets when an owner passes away or becomes unable to manage them? From email accounts and cloud storage to social media, intellectual property, online accounts, and AI tools, today’s businesses rely on digital assets more than ever. Yet many families don’t have a clear plan for who can access them, who owns them, or what happens to them during a transition. In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast, Tammy sits down with Dmitri Pasricha, Founder of TechSet, to explore the often-overlooked world of digital asset estate planning. They discuss: Why digital estate planning is about much more than passwordsThe digital assets family businesses often overlookWhat should be included in a digital asset inventoryHow digital assets fit into a broader succession plan Digital assets may be invisible, but they can be incredibly valuable, and without a plan, they can become a major challenge during a transition. 🎧 Listen to learn how your family business can start planning for its digital future. TechSet website: https://www.techset.ca/ #FamilyBusiness #FamilyBusinessSuccession #SuccessionPlanning #EstatePlanning #DigitalAssets #DigitalEstatePlanning #FamilyEnterprise #BusinessContinuity #Governance #AI #BlueRoots #Podcast #BusinessPodcast

What happens when the future of a family business doesn’t look like passing it down to the next generation? There’s another path worth exploring: employee ownership. In our latest episode of The Business of Family, Tammy sits down with Peter Walker of Boughton Riverview Consulting to explore how employee ownership can create a different kind of transition. One that can provide owners with liquidity while preserving the culture, people, and legacy they’ve built. They unpack:🔹 What an ESOP is and how it compares to other options🔹 When employee ownership makes sense for a family business🔹 What families should consider before pursuing this path Succession isn’t always about choosing which family member takes over. Sometimes it’s about asking a bigger question: What ownership structure will best protect the business, the people, and the legacy for the next generation? 🎧 Tune in to hear Tammy and Peter explore the possibilities of employee ownership. #FamilyBusiness #SuccessionPlanning #EmployeeOwnership #ESOP #BusinessTransition #FamilyEnterprise #BusinessOwnership #BusinessPodcast #Podcast #BlueRoots

When siblings work together, the business doesn’t always get a fresh start. Old family dynamics can come along for the ride. Who was the responsible one?Who was the favourite?Who always felt overlooked?Who was expected to lead? Years later, those same dynamics can show up in meetings, decision-making, disagreements, and even conversations about money and leadership. In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast, Tammy sits down with Annie Gleason, a consultant with Dr. Donna Marino & Associates, to explore sibling conflict in family business, including: • Why sibling conflict can become so emotional• How childhood roles and perceived favoritism can affect business relationships• How clearly defined roles and governance can reduce tension• Practical ways siblings can communicate when conversations get heatedBecause being siblings and being business partners are two very different roles, and successfully navigating both takes intention. 🎙️ Listen to the latest episode of The Business of Family Podcast:  #FamilyBusiness #FamilyBusinessAdvisory #SiblingConflict #FamilyBusinessConflict #FamilyEnterprise #Leadership #Communication #SuccessionPlanning #Siblings #SiblingsInBusiness #Family #Podcast #BusinessPodcast #BlueRoots

What’s harder than giving a tough performance review? Giving one to your son. Or your daughter. Or your sibling. In a family business, the person sitting across the table from you might be both your employee and your family member. That can make it tempting to soften the feedback, avoid the conversation, or give someone a pass because you don’t want to damage the relationship. But avoiding accountability doesn’t protect the relationship, or the business. In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast: Family Matters Legal Edition, Tammy Buss of BlueRoots and Yola from Lerners LLP talk about: • Why performance reviews can feel so personal in family businesses• What happens when family members are held to different standards• How clear expectations and documentation protect everyone• The tough conversations families often avoid• Why accountability can actually be an act of respect• How regular feedback helps prepare the next generation for leadership Because being family shouldn’t mean being held to a different standard. 🎧 Listen to “The Hardest Review You’ll Ever Do: Performance Reviews for Family Members” wherever you listen to podcasts. #FamilyBusiness #FamilyBusinessLeadership #FamilyBusinessAdvisory #FamilyBusinessSuccession #NextGenLeadership #Leadership #Accountability #PerformanceReviews #WorkplaceCulture #BlueRoots #LernersLLP #Reviews #Communication #Podcast #BusinessPodcat #LegalPodcast

In a family business, ownership isn't always as straightforward as holding shares. Family members often wear multiple hats, as owners, employees, leaders, and relatives, which can make it difficult to separate business decisions from family dynamics. In this episode of Legacy on Repeat, Tammy is joined by Shawn Bellefeuille, owner of Retirement by Design, to explore the Ownership Circle and why understanding your role is essential to a healthy family enterprise. Whether you're preparing the next generation for ownership or simply looking to create greater clarity within your family business, this conversation offers valuable perspectives to help strengthen both the business and the family behind it. #LegacyOnRepeat #FamilyBusiness #FamilyEnterprise #OwnershipCircle #BusinessOwnership #SuccessionPlanning #BusinessContinuity #BusinessOfFamily #BlueRoots #RetirementByDesign #Podcast #BusinessPodcast

When a family business loses a sibling, the impact goes far beyond the loss of a loved one. The business changes. Relationships shift. Leadership responsibilities evolve. And families are left navigating grief while still trying to keep the business moving forward. In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast, Tammy sits down with Matt Nielsen of Nielsen-Massey Vanillas to have a deeply personal conversation about what happens when loss changes everything. Matt shares his family’s experience navigating the unexpected death of a sibling who was also a business partner,  and the lessons that came from facing grief, uncertainty, and the responsibility of carrying the family business forward. This is a powerful reminder that continuity planning isn’t just about protecting a business. It’s about protecting relationships, honoring the people who built it, and giving the next generation a stronger foundation to carry it forward. Listen to When Loss Changes Everything: Navigating the Death of a Sibling in a Family Business. #FamilyBusiness #FamilyEnterprise #BusinessOfFamily #LegacyPlanning #SuccessionPlanning #FamilyBusinessAdvisory #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #GenerationalBusiness #BuildingLegacy #SiblingsInBusiness #BlueRoots #NielsenMasseyVanillas #Podcast #BusinessPodcast

When people hear the word "trust," they often think it's only for the ultra-wealthy. The reality? Trusts can be a powerful tool for families who want to protect what matters most, whether that's a family business, family cottage, investments, or simply the relationships that matter across generations. In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast, Tammy sits down with Jandy John from Concentra Trust to demystify trusts and answer the questions many families have but aren't sure who to ask. Together they discuss:✔ What a trust is (and isn't)✔ Why families choose to establish trusts✔ How trusts support family business succession✔ Common misconceptions that hold people back✔ Practical advice for families thinking about their future The best legacy plans aren't just about transferring assets, they're about creating clarity, protecting relationships, and ensuring your wishes are carried out the way you intended. 🎧 Listen now and discover why trusts may be worth a conversation with your family and professional advisors. #FamilyBusiness #FamilyLegacy #Trusts #EstatePlanning #SuccessionPlanning #FamilyEnterprise #BusinessContinuity #WealthTransfer #FamilyGovernance #ConcentraTrust #BusinessOfFamily #BlueRoots #Podcast #BusinessPodcast

Fair pay or family privilege? In a family business, compensation is rarely just about the paycheck. It's about fairness. It's about recognition. It's about trust. When family and business overlap, questions like "Why do they make more than me?" or "Should family be treated differently?" can quickly become emotional and create lasting tension. In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast – Family Matters: Legal Edition, Tammy Buss and Yola Ventresca explore how family businesses can create compensation practices that are fair, transparent, and built to strengthen both the family and the business. In this episode, we discuss:✔️ Why compensation becomes so personal in family businesses✔️ The difference between equal and fair✔️ Why you should pay for the role, not the relationship✔️ Salary vs. ownership distributions✔️ How governance and clear policies reduce conflict✔️ Navigating difficult conversations about compensation and family expectations When compensation decisions are guided by clear principles instead of assumptions, families spend less time managing conflict, and more time building a stronger business together. 🎧 Listen now and join the conversation. #FamilyBusiness #SuccessionPlanning #FamilyEnterprise #BusinessGovernance #Leadership #Compensation #BusinessStrategy #Legacy #FamilyBusinessAdvisors #Lawyers #LernersLLP #BlueRoots #BusinessPodcast #LegalPodcast #Podcast

A legacy isn’t just what you leave behind. It’s also the clarity you leave your family with. Too often, families avoid conversations about estate planning because they feel uncomfortable, complicated, or like something that can wait for another day. But when wishes aren’t communicated and plans aren’t documented, families can be left navigating uncertainty, difficult decisions, and unnecessary emotional stress during an already challenging time. On this Legacy on Repeat episode of the Business of Family Podcast, Tammy Buss sits down with Sandra Pollack, Founder of Trimaran Advisory and author of Don’t Leave a Mess, to discuss: ✨ Why estate planning is about more than just documents✨ The importance of communicating your wishes with your family✨ How to avoid leaving behind confusion and conflict✨ The steps families can take today to create clarity for tomorrow Because the greatest gift you can give your family isn’t just what you leave them, it’s knowing exactly what you wanted and why. 🎧 Listen to Legacy on Repeat: Don’t Leave a Mess – Estate Planning #LegacyPlanning #EstatePlanning #FamilyBusiness #FamilyLegacy #WealthTransfer #SuccessionPlanning #FamilyCommunication #LegacyOnRepeat #TheBusinessOfFamily #BlueRoots #TrimaranAdvisory

What does it really feel like to grow up inside a family business? For Chad Berg of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, the answer is layered. It’s about watching his parents build something meaningful, finding his own path within the business, and learning how to balance family relationships with business decisions. In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast, Chad shares his perspective on: 💎 Growing up surrounded by the family business💎 How his journey into leadership differed from his siblings💎 Defining roles within a family business💎 How his view of success and legacy has evolved💎 The lessons he believes every family business can learn Every family member has a different story, and Chad’s perspective brings another important piece to the Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry family business journey. Tune in as we continue exploring what it takes to build, lead, and pass down a family business for future generations. 🎧 Listen to the latest episode of The Business of Family Podcast. #FamilyBusiness #BusinessFamily #FamilyEnterprise #Legacy #SuccessionPlanning #NextGeneration #Leadership #Entrepreneurship  #TheBusinessOfFamily #Jewelry #LeeMichaelsFineJewelry #BlueRoots #Podcast #BusinessPodcast #Siblings #SiblingsInBusiness

Every family business begins with someone willing to take a chance. In 1978, Lee Michael Berg started Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry with a vision, and determination. Today, his sons are leading the business forward, proving that building a company is only part of the journey, building a legacy is what truly lasts. Whether you're a first-generation founder, preparing for transition, or part of the next generation, Lee's story offers valuable insight into what it takes to create a business that can thrive for generations. 🎧 Tune in and hear why succession isn't about stepping away, it's about setting the next generation up to succeed. #FamilyBusiness #SuccessionPlanning #LeadershipTransition #LegacyOnRepeat #BusinessLegacy #NextGeneration #Entrepreneurship #FamilyEnterprise

Who really owns the family business... and who actually controls it? They're not always the same thing. One of the biggest misconceptions we see in family businesses is assuming ownership automatically means decision-making authority. In reality, ownership and control can look very different, and misunderstanding the distinction can create conflict, confusion, and costly succession mistakes. In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast: Family Matters Legal Edition, Tammy Buss and Yola Ventresca are joined by Mark McAuley, Partner at Lerners LLP. Whether you're planning for the next generation or simply trying to better understand your family's business structure, this episode offers practical insights that every family business owner should hear. 🎧 Listen now and start the conversations before assumptions become problems. #FamilyBusiness #SuccessionPlanning #Governance #Ownership #BusinessTransition #FamilyEnterprise #Leadership #BusinessOfFamilyPodcast #FamilyMatters #LegalPodcast #Legal #Podcast #BusinesPodcast #BlueRoots #LernersLLP

At what point does a business become more than just a way to earn a living? Is it when the next generation joins? When shared values shape every decision? Or when you're building something designed to last beyond yourself? In this episode of Legacy on Repeat, Tammy sits down with Martha MacDonald, Wealth Advisor with National Bank, to discuss her journey of joining her father's practice and what it truly means to build a family business. Whether you're already working alongside family or wondering what the future of your business could look like, this conversation offers valuable insights on legacy, succession, and creating something that lasts. 🎧 Listen now #LegacyOnRepeat #TheBusinessOfFamily #FamilyBusiness #FamilyBusinessSuccess #BusinessLegacy #SuccessionPlanning #NextGeneration #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwners #WealthManagement #LegacyPlanning #NationalBank