Mixing Family and Business Podcast

Ep: 85 - From Startup Chaos to Exit Plans

Ever wonder what it really takes to run multiple businesses while keeping your family life intact? In this episode, I’m joined by Kim, Tom, and Shirley as we get real about the pressures all business owners face, no matter their age or experience! We talk honestly about the stress points that have stayed the same over the decades, from “I have to do it all myself” to the challenge of understanding cash flow and navigating mountains of paperwork. You’ll hear our stories about starting out with young kids, finding balance, and the importance of preparing for the unexpected.
As my guests and I share our experiences, we dive into the evolution of business ownership as life changes, how delegating tasks is essential, why building trust matters, and how to prepare for passing your business to the next generation. Whether you’re just getting started or thinking about your exit strategy, you’ll get practical advice and relatable stories that can help you mix family and business without losing your sanity. Tune in and let’s figure out what it really takes, together!
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 84 - Why People Skills Trump Technical Skills in Business Success

In this episode we to break down what really matters when running multiple businesses, and it’s not your title. We share memorable stories from our early years: facing tough banks, balancing time with our kids, and learning the hard way why being a good listener is a superpower. The conversation gets real about why teaching technical tasks is so much easier than helping someone grow strong people skills, and what reliability truly means in a team (spoiler: it’s priceless).
You’ll hear firsthand how genuine leadership develops through trust, consistency, and showing up for your people day after day, not just by climbing the org chart. I even share how informal leaders can quietly run the show behind the scenes, and why “just call me goddess” nearly became Kim’s official title! If you want to sharpen the skills that actually drive your business forward, this episode is packed with the kinds of insights I wish I’d learned sooner. Tune in and get ready to transform how you lead, grow, and connect with your team!
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 83 - Life Lessons Learned Late in Family and Business Leadership

In this episode, I dive deep into the realities of running multiple businesses with my family. We share the lessons that caught us off guard, like discovering the importance of formal leadership after decades on the job, and the eye-opening impact of revamping our cash flow thanks to the "Profit First" approach. We talk about adapting to new roles, learning what real respect looks like across generations, and figuring out where the line is between helpful guidance and meddling when the family business changes hands.
I also open up about the challenge and value of keeping availability at the forefront, even when authority shifts. You’ll hear our candid stories about buying businesses, dealing with previous owners, and how transitions in business don’t always need to be abrupt. Whether you’re managing a family business or just curious about how we keep things running smoothly, you’ll find insights, laughs, and plenty of practical takeaways in this episode.
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 82 - What No One Tells You About Succession in Family and Multiple Businesses

Ready to discover what really happens when you transition from running a family business to truly owning it? We dig into the moments no one talks about, the emotional shift, the struggles with cash flow, underestimating just how much your role (and your responsibilities) change, and what it’s like to realize you can’t go to the "old owners" for backup anymore. Whether you’re thinking about succession, preparing to buy a business, or deep in the process yourself, you’ll hear honest reflections on what we learned, what surprised us, and how long it really took for ownership to “sink in.”
We also talk candidly about hiring mistakes, building confidence through big decisions, and the unexpected challenges that tested us as owners. I hope our story helps you prepare for your own entrepreneurial leap, and maybe gives you the courage to embrace the chaos that comes with real ownership. Thanks for listening to the Mixing Family and Business Podcast, let’s dive in.
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 81 - Working Together and Stepping Back: Family Roles in Business Transitions

Ready to discover what it really takes to run multiple businesses with your family? In this episode we share unfiltered stories about the true meaning of a "long day" in our family businesses, from sunrise starts and midnight finishes to juggling side hustles alongside our main operations. You'll hear how our routines evolved across generations and the key lessons we picked up along the way about prioritizing, letting go, and building something that lasts.
We also break down the process of handing off leadership and responsibility, exploring both the intentional strategies and the accidental moments that shaped our transition. From letting the next generation step up with a safety net, to sharing the importance of transparency, exposure, and knowing when to step back, you'll get actionable insights into developing your family’s next leaders. Whether you’re looking to prepare your business for the future, or simply curious about the dynamics of a family-run operation, this episode will give you plenty to think about as you build your own legacy.
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 80 - Lessons in Succession: Preparing the Next Generation for Family Business Leadership

Ready to take a look behind the curtain at what it really takes to mix family and business? In this episode we talk about unforgettable coworkers, the challenges and rewards of running multiple businesses, and how we prepared the next generation for leadership. We discuss the early days, lessons learned from mentors who shaped us, and why giving your family exposure to the business, without forcing them to follow in your footsteps, matters so much for long-term success.
You’ll hear our stories about hands-on learning, the importance of industry events, bringing people into decision-making, and the role of allowing mistakes in true growth. If you’re thinking about succession planning, developing new leaders, or figuring out how to balance family dynamics with business needs, this episode offers practical advice you can apply right away. Tune in for actionable insights from my own experience and find out how to set up the next generation for both confidence and success.
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 79 - How Our Decision Making Has Changed Over the Decades

Ever wondered what it really takes to make big decisions in family business, sometimes with zero information at all? In this week’s episode, I sit down with Kim, Shirley, and Tom to unpack our most memorable leap-of-faith moments, from choosing the site of our highest-volume Dairy Queen practically on a whim, to starting careers and buying motorhomes with little more than gut feeling and determination. I’ll share how those snap decisions led to unexpected (and sometimes wild) successes, plus how my own approach to decision-making has evolved over decades of business ownership and leadership.
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 78 - Hard Lessons From Deals We Didn’t Do

Ever wondered what it really takes to run multiple businesses with your family? In this episode, I sit down with Kim, Shirley, and Tom to get raw and honest about the disagreements we’ve had, the times we realized someone else was right, and all those “almost” moments, the partnerships and businesses we nearly started (but didn’t). From scrutinizing P&Ls to dodging disaster (like that Dairy Queen with the flooded basement), we revisit our experiences and share what we learned from the opportunities we passed on, as well as the ones that made us stronger. If you’re curious about how to mix family dynamics with business decisions, handle near-misses, and make smart moves for growth, you’ll find plenty of practical lessons and a few laughs in this episode. Tune in for some real talk about building, buying, and sometimes bravely walking away. See you next episode let’s keep learning and growing together!
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 77 - Do Family Businesses Mean Drama or Success?

On this episode of Mixing Family and Business, I’m joined by Tom, Kim, and Shirley as we bring you right back to those unforgettable moments from the distinct stench of rotten potatoes to the surprisingly powerful nostalgia of an old grocery store. We kick things off with laughs and memories, but quickly dive deep into how those experiences shaped our approach to business and family alike.
I open up about the real myths and challenges of running a family business debunking the drama, talking about what kids do (or don’t) get handed, and digging into what truly makes a family company scalable. Together, we share how the personality and drive of each family member impacts the entire business, why teamwork trumps entitlement, and why success comes down to clear values and honest work. If you’re ready for honest stories, big laughs, and actionable advice, hit play and let’s clear the air smells and all about what it really takes to thrive as a family in business.
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!

Ep: 76 - First Jobs, Early Homes, and How Inflation Changed Our Lives

In this episode, we dive deep into what it really takes to run multiple businesses in a changing world. From the first skills that sparked their confidence, to memorable stories around ice cream scoops and grocery store routines, you’ll get the inside scoop (pun intended!) on how this family built, grew, and adapted their systems for success.
You’ll hear us break down the cost of houses from the 60s to the 80s, and today,  compare incomes, payments, and the impact of inflation on making big decisions. Get ready for a fun look at gas wars, candy bar prices, bread, and how those dollars stretched across generations.
Discover why adaptability, day-to-day routines, and a bit of grit make all the difference in business and family alike. Plus, learn firsthand how the lessons from small successes (like perfecting that ice cream scoop) shape the approach to bigger triumphs.
Whether you’re curious about business, family, or how much a loaf of bread used to cost, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and the kind of advice you can only get from those who’ve lived it.
Got a story to share or a question you'd like answered in a future episode? Email Brian at brian@mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. 
Make sure to check out our website to learn more!