The Business of Family

Great family businesses don’t fail because they lack vision — they struggle when communication breaks down. In this Legacy on Repeat episode of The Business of Family Podcast, Tammy Buss revisits her conversation with communication expert Brett Thompson to unpack the tools that help families stay aligned, reduce conflict, and keep both relationships and the business healthy. Because when family an...

What happens when family, creativity, and legacy come together? In this episode of  The Business of Family Podcast , Tammy sits down with  Kelly Kolar and Audrey Eyman of Kolar Design  for a candid mother–daughter conversation about building an award-winning design firm while navigating the realities of working together as family. They talk about: • The early days of Kolar Design • Stepping into ,...

Happy New Year!  As we step into a brand-new year, this short episode of  The Business of Family  offers a simple, practical way to create clarity and alignment, without resolutions. Instead of long list of goals, Tammy Buss invites families to pause and reflect on one powerful question: What does success look like for us this year—as a family and as a business? In this episode, you’ll explore: •...

Happy Holidays!  As we head into the Christmas season, Tammy Buss reflects on the small, but powerful traditions that quietly shape family enterprises. In this short episode of  The Business of Family , we explore how shared rituals, at work and at home, create rhythm, belonging, and connection across generations. From meaningful business traditions to simple family moments around the holidays, th...

When family and business overlap, the legal stakes are higher than most people realize. In this episode, Tammy & Yola sit down with Erin Reid of Lerners LLP to unpack where family law and family business collide—and how to avoid the legal pitfalls that can put  both  your company  and  your relationships at risk. We dive into: • Why divorce, separation, and major life events hit family busines...

Legacy on Repeat is back with a conversation every family business owner needs to hear. In this episode, Tammy sits down with Shawn Bellefeuille of Buss Financial Group and Retirement by Design to break down what it really takes to transition out of the business you built. Retire, hand it down, or sell? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer — but there is a way to plan with clarity. Listen in for pr...

What does it take to lead a 4th-generation family business into the future—without losing the heart of what made it great? In this episode of The Business of Family Podcast, Tammy sits down with Dottie Chalmers Cutter, 4th Generation Owner and COO of Chalmers Insurance Group, recorded on the road in Maine—our first podcast recorded outside the studio! Dottie shares her personal journey growing up...

Only two things are certain in life — death and taxes. But in family business, how those two collide can shape your family’s future. In this episode of  The Business of Family Podcast , Tammy sits down with  Anthony Falcone  Lawyer   at Falcone Law Professional Corporation and  Richard Rizzo  Tax Partner at Bateman MacKay LLP to talk about what happens  before and after  the inevitable — and how t...

When ownership and family collide, things can get complicated. This week, Tammy and Yola sit down with  Mitchell Brown , Partner at  Lerners LLP , to unpack one of the toughest topics in family business:  shareholder disputes . From unclear roles and generational tensions to buyout disagreements and succession battles — Mitchell shares legal insights and practical ways families can protect both th...

This week we’re revisiting a powerful conversation with  Brett Thompson , an expert who knows the impact words—and silence—can have in business. In this episode, we tackle one of the biggest mistakes business owners make: failing to communicate. From navigating family dynamics to managing employees, Brett breaks down the  3 key elements of communication  and shares how to keep the lines open to dr...

What does it take to build both a business and a legacy? 🏠 In this episode, Tammy sits down with  Arne and Peder Madsen  — the father–son duo behind  CCR Build + Remodel . From humble beginnings to a thriving design-build company, Arne shares how CCR was founded and the values that built its foundation, while Peder reflects on growing up in the business and stepping into leadership. Together, the...

In this episode, Tammy sits down with David Simpson, Director of the Business Families Centre at the Ivey Business School, to explore the intersection of education, entrepreneurship, and family legacy. A former professional hockey player turned entrepreneur and educator, David shares how his diverse career shaped his understanding of what makes family businesses thrive—or struggle. From generation...

What does Taylor Swift have in common with your family business? More than you think. In this episode, co-hosts Tammy Buss of BlueRoots and Yola Ventresca of Lerners unpack the Taylor Swift machine: family business & legal lessons. 💡 We explore: How Taylor’s parents and brother play key roles in her success. The legal side of building and protecting a global brand. What every family business...

This week we’re bringing back a powerful conversation with  Peder Madsen , owner of  CCR Build + Remodel  in London, Ontario. In this episode, we dive into the tough realities of second-generation ownership—the mistakes made, the lessons learned, and the achievements that shaped the journey. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to carry forward a family business legacy, this replay is pack...

In this episode of  The Business of Family Podcast , Tammy Buss sits down with  Dean Tansman, Vice President of Operations at A World of Wipes (AWOW) , to explore the story of a family business rooted in innovation, responsibility, and legacy. Dean shares how his father, Avi Tansman, founded AWOW in 1991 and how growing up alongside the business shaped his own path. Now working side by side, Dean...

Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we work, lead, and grow—but what does that mean for  family businesses rooted in tradition ? This week on  The Business of Family Podcast , Tammy Buss sits down with  Shaara Roman, Founder & CEO of Silverene Group , to explore how AI and organizational culture intersect—and why keeping your  people at the center  is the key to success. We dive into:...

A few weeks ago, we sat down with Domenic Luisi, founder of Rubinet Faucet Company, to hear the origin story of a brand  built to last . Now, we hear from the next generation. Tammy Buss interviews Michael and Frank Luisi to explore their journey of stepping into leadership, defining their roles as brothers in business, and balancing their father’s legacy with their own vision for Rubinet’s future...

We’re thrilled to introduce  Family Matters: Legal Edition  — a brand-new monthly segment of  The Business of Family Podcast ! Co-hosted by  Tammy Buss  (Founder of BlueRoots Inc.) and  Yola Ventresca  (Managing Partner at Lerners LLP), this series dives into the often-overlooked  legal side of family business . From governance and ownership to conflict resolution, shareholder agreements, and succ...

Family businesses are built on legacy—but sometimes that legacy causes more conflict than clarity. Doug Noll is back on the podcast to explore the emotional undercurrents of family business disputes and how to navigate them with empathy, structure, and foresight. Whether you’re passing the torch or still holding it, don’t miss Doug’s expert advice. #BusinessOfFamily #LegacyPlanning #FamilyConflict...

🎙️  Legacy on Repeat  – We’re rewinding the tape and revisiting one of our most practical and insightful conversations. In this episode, Tammy Buss sits down with Brett Thompson, a business consultant who helps owners stop working  in  their business and start working  on  it. Brett  and Tammy discuss why having a plan makes your business worth more, how to align your vision with your values, and...

✨ Legacy on Repeat ✨ This week we’re bringing back a powerful conversation with Andrew Moss, CPA, CA, Partner at BDO Canada LLP . In this episode, we dive into the critical role financial guidance plays in setting your business up for long-term success. If you’ve ever wondered when is the right time to call in a professional , this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. 🎧...

🎙️ Legacy on Repeat We’re rewinding the tape and bringing back one of our most inspiring conversations. In this episode, Tammy sits down with Lisa Ferguson , CMO of Hangar 9 in London, Ontario — a family business led by strong women entrepreneurs who are paving the way for others to follow. Lisa shares the growing pains, pivotal moments, and bold decisions that shaped Hangar 9 into the success sto...

🎙️ Legacy on Repeat – a new segment from The Business of Family We’re rewinding the tape and bringing you one of our mostimpactful conversations from the past in a new segment we’re calling Legacy on Repeat . We’re kicking it off with The Why — where it all began. In this foundational conversation, Tammy sits down with herhusband Gerard and sons William and Edward to reflect on building their fami...

On this week's episode, we chat with Dominic Luisi. Dominic built Rubinet Faucet Company from the ground up — long before there was talk of legacy, succession, or second-generation leadership. In this episode, Dominic shares what it took to grow a business while raising a family, and how his sons eventually found their way into the company — on their own terms. We talk about the early days, th...

What happens when science meets storytelling—and family meets business? Meet cousins and co-founders Angela and Travis, the powerhouse duo behind  Tipton Franklin Marketing Strategies , who are redefining what’s possible for AgTech and Biotech brands. 🌱🔬 In this episode, we dive into: ✨ How their family dynamics fuel their professional collaboration 🔬 Angela’s shift from lab bench to boardroom...