Family-owned businesses, organizations, and partnerships are unique. Plenty of companies can claim they were founded over 100 years ago, but not as many can say they are multi-generation family-owned. That is because it is hard and requires not only success in business but also careful consideration when it comes to family. This is especially true when one owner or leader intends to step down and the future is not clear. There is plenty to manage from shareholders, executives, board members, employees, husbands, wives, children and grandchildren each with their own perspective, skills and opinions!
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Family Business Consulting is here to help and was created to increase the likelihood of success during this fragile process.
About Family Business Consultants
Family Business Consultants, led by Brad Dunn, was created to provide family-owned businesses with a means of transferring ownership to the next generation, assisting the new generation in taking over the business, and settling potential familial disputes around the business.
Family business succession is a unique type of situation that requires more nuance and insight than typical business succession plans. We provide all the assistance and guidance necessary to successfully transition between generations or leaders. Our approach is centered around the uniqueness of each family business and their desired goals.
Planning The Future Through Family Business Consultants
There are many different paths that your business could go through before, during, or after the succession process and Family Business Consultants is here to help every step of the way.
Whether you need succession planning, governance development, or board of director advisory sessions, we can set you and your family up for future success.
The changing of hands in the leadership space requires special oversight, as leaders are managing many different aspects of the business at the same time. We will walk you through each major step that needs to be followed to keep the transitional process smooth. We help you find and digest the information that is most important to taking over the leadership role and create risk prevention strategies alongside you for any unforeseen circumstances.
There are unique hurdles to overcome in a family-owned business, something that only those with experience would truly understand. At Family Business Consultants, we’ve seen it all and even experienced it firsthand. We use that knowledge to help you create a detailed family business governance plan that brings balance between family interests and business objectives. This way, future transitions are handled effortlessly, and the business has a long-term sustainability plan in place so everyone's needs are represented.
Moving ownership from one (or more) family member to the next is a time-intensive process that needs careful oversight to properly pull off. Family Business Consultants provides specialized services to help you change ownership without risk or interruption or disruption. Whether this is senior owners stepping down for the younger generation or ownership shifting from one family member to the next, we help you find the right path to a streamlined succession.
Employee Stock Ownership Process (ESOP) planning is critical for certain businesses. This is a structure that allows employees to own part or all of a company's stock. Our role is to advise you on the best process to evaluate feasibility, how it can work for family businesses, and how this could impact your employees. With tax hikes and inflation on the rise, ESOPs afford you a stable exit strategy that benefits everyone.
When the younger generation is ready to take the reins and you’re considering retirement or less involvement in the company, you need an effective plan in place to make the transition as smooth as possible. Family Business Consultants works closely with your leaders and owners of both generations to provide clarity and seamlessly transition the business to the next individual when the time comes.
Family Business Consultants will help you evaluate current governance practices and assist you in coming up with development plans to create a high functioning board with a diverse skill set that is set up to best serve the current and future needs of your family-owned business. This creates a framework and foundation for successful management and multi-generational leadership without complications through accountability and regular communication.
Business Leadership Awards
Brad focuses heavily on leadership and culture. He has been influential within his own business and received a four-time Top Workplace Award Winner in the St. Louis Post Dispatch and a 2024 USA Today Top Workplaces in the United States.
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Additionally, he has been a Top Family Owned Business Award Winner in the St. Louis Small Business Magazine and has been featured in the WSJ. We know family businesses inside and out, which gives you the edge when it comes down to planning and executing on your family business plan.
Get In Touch
Send your comments and inquiries. We'll be happy to assist you.