Building More Than Business

For business owners, few decisions carry the financial weight—or the personal stakes—of hiring family members. The long-term upsides are substantial, and when family values and business vision align, your business can thrive across generations. In this episode of Building More Than Business, host Nerre Shuriah welcomes Senior Wealth Planning Strategist Richard Houston to discuss how to approach fa...

What do recent tax law changes mean for CEOs and owners of privately-held companies? In this episode of Building More Than Business, co-host Nerre Shuriah and Ben Bowers, CPA at Bennett Thrasher, break down the most impactful provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or OBBBA. You’ll learn how policy changes have created new tax savings opportunities and get ideas for how to put that capital t...

What does it take to navigate family business succession with no formal plan? At a recent live event, sisters and co-CEOs of ExpressIt Delivery, Andi Shaughnessy and Danielle Carter, shared how they took over their family-owned business and rebuilt it from survival mode to operate in eight states. This episode reveals a deeper appreciation for the human side of business ownership—from managing gro...

From rising costs to shifting policies, many business owners report feeling economic pressure. Yet amid the uncertainty, many are adapting with confidence—and even investing in growth. In part two of this special miniseries, hosts Ann Lucchesi and Nerre Shuriah unpack key findings from the 2025 Beyond Wealth Report for Business Owners . They explore the forces shaping business ownership in 2025 an...

How are wealthy Americans managing, growing and safeguarding their wealth amid increased uncertainty? In part one of our Beyond Wealth miniseries, Nerre Shuriah, Senior Director of Wealth Planning and Knowledge, sits down with Marc Horgan, Executive Director, to unpack key findings from our 2025 Beyond Wealth Report. Together, they explore how wealthy Americans are balancing financial stress with...

Donor advised funds, or DAFs, and private foundations offer distinct pathways for strategic charitable giving, each with unique advantages for tax optimization and charitable efforts. In this episode of Building More Than Business, philanthropic strategist George Burnette joins Ann and Nerre to compare these two vehicles—from minimum contribution requirements and tax deduction limits to administra...

The qualified small business stock (QSBS) exclusion just got a major upgrade —unlocking even greater tax benefits for eligible shareholders. In this episode of Building More Than Business, our hosts sit down with tax attorney Christopher Karachale to break down what’s changed under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and what it means for founders, early employees and investors. They explore ke...

Family succession meetings are an opportunity to listen and build trust—helping to preserve relationships during and after a transition. In this episode of Building More Than Business, our hosts talk with Senior Wealth Planning Strategist April Zee about how structured, thoughtful meetings can turn emotional conversations into productive planning. You’ll learn how to build trust and avoid the miss...

In Episode 2 of Building More Than Business, hosts Ann Lucchesi and Nerre Shuriah explore why many business owners delay one of the most critical financial decisions of their lives. They unpack the emotional and operational reasons behind the hesitation, examine the risks of waiting too long—including missed tax opportunities—and share what a truly successful exit strategy looks like, both on pape...

In the inaugural episode of Building More Than Business, hosts Ann Lucchesi and Nerre Shuriah explore a common challenge for owners—when personal wealth is tied too closely to the business. They explain how intertwined wealth can limit your financial flexibility and your exit options, and they share actionable takeaways for avoiding the risks. Two first steps? Separate personal and business financ...

Discover Building More Than Business—a podcast series of essential conversations exploring the connection between the company you've built and the life you want to lead. Learn more at firstcitizens.com/building-more.