Never Go Against the Family

In this episode of Never Go Against the Family, you’ll be introduced to Heidi Vermeer-Quist in a way you haven't before. Heidi's a friend of the UNI Family Business Center. She runs our next-generation peer groups, hosts events, and provides strategic insights into the dynamics of a family enterprise from her perspective of growing up in the Vermeer Corporation family and her work as a cli...

Jenny Steffensmeier is the owner of Steffensmeier Welding & Manufacturing in Pilot Grove, Iowa. Although she's in the first generation of ownership, her husband was actually the founder; when he suddenly passed, she assumed leadership of the company. In this episode of Never Go Against the Family, Jenny shares her story from meeting her husband to navigating his illness, introducing her ch...

Today, you might know Vernon Company as a five-generation, Netwon-based branding and promo powerhouse. Did you know the company started with farmers as its primary audience? Or that they once led in jigsaw puzzle sales? Listen in for a preview of this Iowa family business, then join us in Newton for a Tour & Talk with Chris and his son, Alex, on April 29, 2026!

Dennis Passis, author of Founder Paralysis , shares powerful insights into the hidden traps that keep founders stuck—especially in family-run businesses. In this candid conversation, he explores the emotional and structural challenges that prevent growth, the tension between control and collaboration, and how leaders can begin to let go without losing their vision. Whether you're a founder, su...

How can artificial intelligence help legacy businesses thrive across generations? In this insightful podcast, Matt Knight explores the evolving role of AI in family-run enterprises. He unpacks a practical three-part framework—AI as a Virtual Assistant, Data Wizard, and Creative Coach—designed to help family firms streamline operations, unlock insights, and spark innovation. With a focus on bridgin...

What happens when marriage and entrepreneurship intertwine? In this episode, we chat with Lisa Daniel—a married-in member of the famous cookware brand Lodge Cast Iron—who, alongside her husband, also co-owns a thriving IT business. Together, they’ll be joining us on a virtual panel this August to share what it’s really like to navigate business decisions, family dynamics, and strategic growth as a...

Marshall Rabil is stepping into the role of president and CEO of Hubbard Peanut Company, or Hubs, from his prior position as director of sales and marketing. Marshall’s grandparents, Dot and HJ Hubbard, founded Hubs in 1954 out of their home kitchen, launching what would become America’s oldest specialty peanut brand. Over the past 70 years, the company has remained a proudly family-owned operatio...

What fiduciary concerns should a business leader be responsible for? It helps to have a working knowledge of retirement plans and different financial strategies so that you can be the best leader you can be. In this podcast, Dan talks to Geoff Christy and Tyler Craig from Foster Group about the nuances of financial leadership. Foster Group is a Founding Partner of the University of Northern Iowa F...

The story of Catania Oils dates back to 1900 in the small village of San Pier Niceto, Sicily. Giuseppe Basile’s dream was to take his olive oil business from Sicily and establish it in the land of opportunity, America. Giuseppe set out to fulfill his dream at the turn of the 20th century moving to the United States with several barrels of olive oil and the hope of building a family business that w...

In this episode, you’ll be introduced to Veronica Maldonado, who is part of the fourth generation of a family that impacted Venezuela’s agricultural and industrial sectors. When the state disowned the family and took the ranch that for 100 years represented the heart of the family, most family members, including Veronica, left the country to gather in the United States. Veronica currently serves a...

In this episode, Dan chats with Libby Nelson, who is part of the second generation of Kemin Industries in Des Moines. Libby is Vice President and General Counsel at Kemin, and has seen the company grow from an ingredients supplier to a global biotechnology company. Stay tuned to hear more about the Kemin story. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and fam...

Today you’re getting a sneak peek into the 2024 Iowa Family Business Conference. Dan Beenken interviews keynote speaker Kevin Hancock, who is the leader of Hancock Lumber, a six-generation family business in Maine. During the conversation, you’ll get a taste of Kevin’s ethos so you can be ready with all of your burning questions at the conference on November 6. Keep listening for more. The UNI FBC...

In this episode, Dan talks to Michael Klein. Michael is the author of Trapped In the Family Business: A Practical Guide to Uncovering and Managing This Hidden Dilema. He has 20 years of experience as a workplace consultant and advisor to individuals and organizations. Keep listening to hear his perspectives from working directly with families like yours. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family busi...

In this episode, you’re going to hear from Pat Soldano. Pat is the president of Family Enterprise USA, a national organization that promotes generationally owned family business creation, growth, viability, and sustainability by advocating for family businesses and their lifetime of savings with Congress in Washington DC. The FEUSA team is bipartisan. And, as a bonus, Pat and her colleagues will b...

In this episode, Dan Beenken interviews Diana Clark. Diana will speak at the Virtual Breakfast Series event titled Addiction, Advisors & Alliances: Working together to address complex family issues. So many families struggle with addictions of some sort, and it’s hard to talk about. Join us to hear Diana’s take on October 17, 2024, and keep listening to hear a preview of the conversation. The...

In this episode, you’re getting double Dans. Our director Dan Beenken interviews Dann Van Der Vliet, who works with the Smith Family Business Initiative at Cornell in Ithaca, New York. This year they put out a survey that asked Next Generation leaders about their experiences in the family business. Stay tuned to hear what the survey revealed. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resourc...

The Leinenkugel's brand is nationally-recognized, but did you know that it's a family-operated business? Located in Wisconsin, the family brewery was purchased by Miller Brewing Company in 1988, yet the sixth generation of family maintains leadership positions. How does it all work? Listen in to hear Katie and Dan discuss. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help y...

Robert Cramer leads Cramer and Associates, a family owned and employee owned bridge construction company, as VP of Land Development and Co-chair of the Board. Robert and Dan discuss the reason behind this family's move to an ESOP structure. Tune in to hear their conversation. The UNI FBC offers a variety of family business resources to help your business—and family—succeed for the long haul. T...

Talking about money is hard. That’s why Foster Group is using philanthropy as a tool to break down barriers and have difficult financial conversations. In this episode, Ashlee Vieregger from Foster helps us understand this strategy. By the end of the podcast you’ll hopefully understand the critical conversations that you should be having within your family business and how to tap into resources li...

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 innova...

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.

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.

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.

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...

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—su...