Family Business Matters

In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Peter Begella sits down with John Oswald, Brian Turner, and Robin Turner of Mills Manufacturing, a 3rd generation manufacturer of highly technical parachute systems based in Asheville, NC, to explore the company’s evolution following the introduction of an independent board.   Drawing on their experiences as operators, shareholders, and board member...

In family businesses, leadership isn’t just about performance, it’s about endurance, relationships, and legacy. But what if sustaining yourself as a leader wasn’t about pushing harder?   In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Cooper Biersach sits down with Dr. Mike Christian, award-winning researcher and expert in human energy and resilience, to explore a different approach: energy craft...

Where should we start? How do we manage conflict? How do we help the next generation find purpose and avoid entitlement? In this episode of the The Family Enterprise Center , host Cooper Biersach is joined by Steve Miller, co-founder of the Family Enterprise Center and former president of the Biltmore Estate, to explore the three foundational questions business-owning families ask most often as th...

This Student Voices episode spotlights the undergraduate experience at Carolina through the lens of Molly Malek , a driven student leader whose journey has been shaped by the Family Enterprise Center and the Family Business Club. Molly reflects on her path to UNC, her family business background, and the donor‑supported programs that have helped her find direction, community, and career clarity.  ...

Families are powerful systems, and sometimes, they’re anxiety‑creating machines. In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Cooper Biersach sits down with therapist and bestselling author Dr. Kathleen Smith to explore how Bowen Family Systems Theory can transform the way we understand ourselves, our families, and our roles in family enterprises.   Kathleen breaks down how anxiety moves throu...

In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Chris Maslin sits down with father–daughter duo Jamie McLawhorn and Bess McLawhorn of Marsh Properties for a candid conversation on what it really takes to prepare the rising generation for leadership in a family enterprise. Together, they share their personal journeys, the intentional steps their family has taken to develop next‑gen talent, and the...

This episode of Family Business Matters dives into the role boundaries play in creating healthier relationships and stronger family enterprises. With host Cooper Biersach, our guest, Melissa Mitchell-Blitch, author and family dynamics expert, shares why boundaries are often misunderstood, why they matter, and how they can transform the way we lead and live. Through real-world examples and practica...

In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Cooper Biersach sits down with Amy Renkert-Thomas , a lawyer, educator, and former president of her family’s fifth-generation manufacturing business. Amy brings decades of experience in family enterprise governance and ownership to the conversation.  Together, they explore what governance really means, why it matters for family businesses, and how i...

In this special two-guest episode, Lauren Willets Director of UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School’s The Family Enterprise Center , sits down with brothers Frankie Kelly IV (UNC BSBA ’14, UNC MAC '15) and Stephen Kelly (UNC BSBA '17) to reminisce about their Carolina days as Family Enterprise students and lacrosse champions. They share candid insights on their early career paths, the decision to retu...

In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Amelia Renkert-Thomas welcomes Nikin Shah , founding partner at Front Porch Venture Partners. Nikin shares his personal journey of growing up around his family’s business, co-leading it with his brother, and ultimately making the decision to sell.   Together, they explore the emotional, strategic, and financial dimensions of selling a family busines...

Host: Steve Miller In this episode of The Family Enterprise Center, host Steve Miller sits down with Craig Stephenson, President and CEO of COC Properties, to explore the transformative power of good governance in family enterprises. Craig shares his leadership journey, the pivotal moment that led to formalizing their board, and how independent directors have helped unlock strategic potential and...

Host: Cooper Biersach In this episode, Cooper Biersach is joined by Chris Maslin  — VP of HR and Organizational Development at The Biltmore Company—to unpack the essential elements of a strong family employment policy. Together, they explore how intentional policy design can reduce conflict, clarify roles, and support rising generation development. Listeners will walk away with a practical framewo...

Cooper Biersach chats with Ted Wentz of Quadratec about his unique path back to the family business—one that began with launching his own venture first. Ted shares honest reflections on the gritty realities of entrepreneurship, earning your place in a family firm, and the importance of “doing the time” before stepping into leadership. They also dive into navigating relationships with family member...

Cooper Biersach interviews Cathy Carroll —author of Hug of War and President of Legacy Onward—for a deep dive into polarity thinking. They explore how to move beyond either/or mindsets into both/and conversations that unlock new possibilities for families and leaders. The episode features real-life examples of common polarity tensions and how to navigate them, plus a walkthrough of polarity mappin...

Cooper Biersach sits down with Josh Gentine (MBA ’13) to explore his path back to the family business, Sargento, and the parallel journey he’s built as a family business consultant. Josh shares insights on balancing multiple professional identities, fostering two-way communication across generations, and engaging next-gens in ways that reflect their passions and strengths—not just tradition. From...

Cooper Biersach sits down with Durant Bell to unpack the long road home to the family business, Bell Partners. After building a successful career and reaching the partner track at an outside firm, Durant made the difficult decision to return—but on his own terms. He reflects on choosing not to come back right away, even when his family hoped he would, and how that decision shaped his leadership. F...

Cooper Biersach sits down with Steve Miller to dive into his research on next-generation leaders in family businesses. They share insights on when—and how—to start meaningful conversations with next-gens, the value of gaining outside experience, and the benefits of rotational programs within the family firm. Plus, they explore the critical role emotional and social intelligence play in leadership...

Episode Notes  Course Codes for Family Business Curriculum at UNC-Chapel Hill BUSI 503 / MBA 843A: Introduction to Family Business BUSI 512 / MBA 843B: Ownership and Governance  Cooper Biersach Lauren Willets  Steve Miller  The Family Enterprise Center Get Connected