Family Business/Business Family

In this episode, brothers John and Joe Gaither, second-generation leaders of premium performance sock maker Feetures, reflect on building a brand out of a legacy of family entrepreneurship. This episode also features part 2 of our conversation with Port Blakely’s newly installed CEO Mike Warjone and his cousin, Chairman and outgoing CEO René Ancinas, who delve deeper into their succession process and their vision for the future of the company. We’re also joined by returning guest Jamie Shah, second-generation president of Chem-Impex and a Polsky Center entrepreneur in residence at the University of Chicago. She joins us to discuss an exciting new advice column she’s launching here at Family Business Magazine. Need some guidance on a family business issue? You can anonymously submit a question to Jamie right here.

In this episode, Port Blakely’s newly installed CEO Mike Warjone and his cousin, Chairman and outgoing CEO René Ancinas, discuss the carefully planned leadership transition at the company that became official at the end of 2025.This episode also features part 2 of our conversation with fifth-generation co-presidents Jeannie Cullen Schultz and George Cullen of JP Cullen, who explain how a “field-first” mindset, people-centered leadership and clear expectations across the 133-year-old construction business have helped preserve the company’s culture and values as it has scaled.Also in this episode, Pat Soldano, president of Family Enterprise USA and a contributing author to Family Business Magazine, makes a compelling case for why family business owners must advocate for themselves with lawmakers.

In this episode, we sit down with Matthew Powell, fourth-generation CEO of safety and security service provider Century Companies. Matthew talks about what stewardship means to him, navigating succession at every level and why, even after more than century in business, leadership still requires a day-one mindset. Check out Matthew's newsletter, Steward's Journal, on his website. This episode also features part 2 of our conversation with Dana Gruber, third-generation president of Actco Tool & Manufacturing Company, who discusses leading the manufacturing business with empathy, building an emotionally safe workplace and balancing innovation with a deeply rooted family legacy. We also chat with Brad Bestgen of Bestgen Wealth Management, who shares what he’s learned from advising families through ownership transitions — and from living through one himself.Support for this episode comes from Bestgen Wealth Management, a second-generation, family-owned and -operated boutique wealth management firm. Visit bestgenwealthmanagement.com to schedule your complimentary initial consultation. Bestgen Wealth Management: let our family advise your family. 

In this episode of the “Family Business/Business Family” podcast, Jeannie Cullen Schultz and George Cullen, siblings and fifth-generation co-presidents of 133-year-old construction firm JP Cullen, reflect on their distinct paths into the business and how a thoughtful succession process equipped them to lead together while honoring the company’s legacy and keeping family dynamics out of the boardroom. Also, Dana Gruber, third-generation president of Actco Tool & Manufacturing Company, explains how stepping away — and ultimately returning with renewed clarity — reshaped her leadership approach and her understanding of resilience, generational expectations and purpose. And Family Business Magazine Contributing Editor Dennis Jaffe discusses “Living Your Values,” his new book co-authored with Cynthia Scott and published through Family Business Press.Support for this episode comes from Bestgen Wealth Management, a second-generation, family-owned and -operated boutique wealth management firm. Visit bestgenwealthmanagement.com to schedule your complimentary initial consultation. Bestgen Wealth Management: let our family advise your family. 

In this episode, we sit down with Corinne Burton, G2 president of Teacher Created Materials, who shares how her family built a global company rooted in a love of learning, balancing innovation with tradition through a flexible and age-inclusive governance model. We also chat with Transformational Women in Family Business 2025 honoree Karen Alko, fourth-generation steward of ABC Recycling, who reflects on her path through the business, her leadership in governance and how formalizing philanthropy and NextGen engagement has helped preserve her family’s legacy. And, in part 2 of our interview, Michael Kaplan, whose family founded Lane Bryant, discusses why choosing purpose over fear is essential to long-term continuity — and how clarity around mission and values guides the companies he builds, the partners he selects and the leaders he empowers.

In this episode, Jessica Johnson-Cope, CEO of Johnson Security Bureau, shares how she turned tragedy into purpose, guiding and growing her family's business beyond its 50-year milestone. Ryan Berg, co-president of Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry, reflects on working alongside his brothers to turn their father’s single Louisiana store into a multi-state luxury brand while keeping people and purpose at the center. And, in part 2 of our conversation, cousins Judd and Alex Loewenstein, fifth-generation co-leaders of Loewy Foods, discuss sharing the helm of a 130-year-old company.

In this episode, Judi Sheppard Missett, founder and executive chair of Jazzercise, talks creating a family enterprise built on movement, joy and connection. Also, Michael Kaplan, whose family founded Lane Bryant, recounts how his great-grandmother revolutionized maternity wear in the 1890s, how his father’s attempt to buy back the business ended in disappointment and how those experiences shaped his own path as an entrepreneur and investor. And, in part 2 of our conversation with Jon Vaughan, former president of Brand Vaughan Lumber Company, he discusses what life looks like after the sale of a third-generation family business.

In this episode, cousins Judd and Alex Loewenstein of Loewy Foods share how they’re ushering their fifth-generation company into a new era — blending gratitude, modernization and the enduring spirit of Thanksgiving to honor their family’s humble poultry-shop roots. Also, Michael Horn, former fourth-generation president and CEO of A.C. Horn Manufacturing, reflects on taking over his family’s struggling machinery business, leading its turnaround, and ultimately making peace with the decision to sell. And Pat Soldano, president of Family Enterprise USA, explains how tariffs, policy uncertainty and global trade shifts are reshaping the landscape for family-owned companies — and why advocacy on Capitol Hill matters more than ever.Michael Horn will also be joining us as a panelist at the Transitions Fall 2025 conference, November 5-7 at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa in San Diego. Learn more about the conference and register here.

In this episode, Jon Vaughan, former president of Brand Vaughan Lumber Company, reflects on the emotional process of leading his third-generation family business through crisis, growth and, ultimately, sale. This episode also features part 2 of our interview with Deborah Jacob, owner and chairman emeritus of fifth-generation MJS Packaging, who discusses the importance of learning from other family enterprises. And Raffi Amit, the Marie and Joseph Melone Professor and a Professor of Management at the Wharton School, explains how prosperous families succeed through shared values, governance and a culture of entrepreneurship.Support for this episode comes from Wharton Executive Education. Through world-class faculty and real-world application, Wharton’s Wealth Management and Family Office Programs offer participants a deep dive into the sophisticated financial concepts paramount to family office management. Learn more at whartonfamilywealth.com.