Why does working together in a family business have to be so darn difficult? Get answers to this and other relevant questions when host, Greg Lewis, interviews prominent local and national family leaders about the challenges of working together in a family business. We'll also talk to top family business experts about relevant topics including business transition and succession planning, communications, family relationships, business culture as well as conflict resolution. For more information, visit www.tncfb.com.
Family Business Today
Claim This Podcastby Tennessee Center for Family Business
5.0(2 reviews)
101 episodes
Updated Weekly
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Podcast Overview
Why does working together in a family business have to be so darn difficult? Get answers to this and other relevant questions when host, Greg Lewis, interviews prominent local and national family leaders about the challenges of working together in a family business. We'll also talk to top family business experts about relevant topics including business transition and succession planning, communications, family relationships, business culture as well as conflict resolution. For more information, visit www.tncfb.com.
Language
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Publishing Since
8/31/2017
2 verified contact emails on file for Family Business Today
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Recent Episodes
May 16, 2026
Episode 102: Tepi Naturals is more than skincare – It’s a family story with Brent Thomas
<figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/d0382788-6231-4ac3-a06e-d90a9653ab2b/FBT+Podcast+102+-+Brent+Thomas-1.png" data-image-dimensions="1536x768" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" data-sqsp-image-classic-block-image src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/d0382788-6231-4ac3-a06e-d90a9653ab2b/FBT+Podcast+102+-+Brent+Thomas-1.png?format=1000w" width="1536" height="768" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add("loaded")" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/d0382788-6231-4ac3-a06e-d90a9653ab2b/FBT+Podcast+102+-+Brent+Thomas-1.png?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/d0382788-6231-4ac3-a06e-d90a9653ab2b/FBT+Podcast+102+-+Brent+Thomas-1.png?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/d0382788-6231-4ac3-a06e-d90a9653ab2b/FBT+Podcast+102+-+Brent+Thomas-1.png?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/d0382788-6231-4ac3-a06e-d90a9653ab2b/FBT+Podcast+102+-+Brent+Thomas-1.png?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/d0382788-6231-4ac3-a06e-d90a9653ab2b/FBT+Podcast+102+-+Brent+Thomas-1.png?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/d0382788-6231-4ac3-a06e-d90a9653ab2b/FBT+Podcast+102+-+Brent+Thomas-1.png?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/d0382788-6231-4ac3-a06e-d90a9653ab2b/FBT+Podcast+102+-+Brent+Thomas-1.png?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> </figure> <span class="played"><span class="icon"></span></span> Episode 102: Tepi Naturals is more than skincare -- It's a family story with Brent Thomas TNCFB <span class="progress"></span> <span class="total"></span> <p class="">Our guest today is Brent Thomas with family-owned Tepi Naturals in Yorba Linda, California. Brent always had a deep desire to create something of his own. He just didn’t know it would lead to Tepi Naturals. He uncovered his passion for chemistry during community college, at a time when he wasn’t sure what path to take. Drawn to the clarity and structure of the subject, he went on to earn his B.S. in Chemistry from CSU Fullerton and later a master’s in Organic Chemistry from San Diego State University. Through his experience in organic synthesis, Brent saw a major issue with synthetic materials: while they might solve one problem, plenty of others can quickly unravel. </p><p class="">During his time as a quality control manager at a biotech company, he realized that he wanted to build something for himself – not for the future of another company. With a piqued interest from the studies his father shared with him and deeply rooted family ties, Brent saw the perfect opportunity to start a business where everyone could bring something unique to the table. Today, he’s fulfilling his dream of creating clean, healthy, and non-toxic skincare products for all through Tepi Naturals.</p><p class="">In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:</p><ul data-rte-list="default"><li><p class="">Why Brent decided to start Tepi Naturals as a family business rather than pitch his idea to an existing skincare brand</p></li><li><p class="">How Tepi Naturals competes in the saturated beauty industry</p></li><li><p class="">The work Brent and his family have done to re-establish good communication</p></li><li><p class="">The strategies for Brent and his family to keep family and business separate </p></li><li><p class="">Advice for those thinking of starting a family business</p></li><li><p class="">And more…</p></li></ul><p class="">Brent, we wish you and your business continued success. To learn more about Brent, Tepi Naturals and where to buy their products visit <a href="https://www.tepinaturals.com/">https://www.tepinaturals.com/</a>. </p><p class="">At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit <a href="http://www.tncfb.com">www.tncfb.com</a>.</p><p class="">If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a <strong>FREE </strong> <a href="https://www.tncfb.com/transitionassessment" target=""><strong>Transition Assessment</strong></a><strong> (follow link)</strong> and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant. </p><p class="">Until next time, <strong>There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!</strong></p>
May 4, 2026
Episode 101: Building Stronger Family Businesses Through Entrepreneurial Thinking
<figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/b3d9f254-854e-4487-aca8-e1dc9eb4909c/FBT+Podcast+101-1+%282%29.png" data-image-dimensions="1536x768" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" data-sqsp-image-classic-block-image src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/b3d9f254-854e-4487-aca8-e1dc9eb4909c/FBT+Podcast+101-1+%282%29.png?format=1000w" width="1536" height="768" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add("loaded")" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/b3d9f254-854e-4487-aca8-e1dc9eb4909c/FBT+Podcast+101-1+%282%29.png?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/b3d9f254-854e-4487-aca8-e1dc9eb4909c/FBT+Podcast+101-1+%282%29.png?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/b3d9f254-854e-4487-aca8-e1dc9eb4909c/FBT+Podcast+101-1+%282%29.png?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/b3d9f254-854e-4487-aca8-e1dc9eb4909c/FBT+Podcast+101-1+%282%29.png?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/b3d9f254-854e-4487-aca8-e1dc9eb4909c/FBT+Podcast+101-1+%282%29.png?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/b3d9f254-854e-4487-aca8-e1dc9eb4909c/FBT+Podcast+101-1+%282%29.png?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/b3d9f254-854e-4487-aca8-e1dc9eb4909c/FBT+Podcast+101-1+%282%29.png?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> </figure> <span class="played"><span class="icon"></span></span> Episode 101: Building Stronger Family Businesses Through Entrepreneurial Thinking TNCFB <span class="progress"></span> <span class="total"></span> <p class="">Our guest today is Lisa Ascolese, Founder and CEO of Inventing A to Z. Lisa is an inventor, entrepreneur, mother, grandmother, and the founder of several ventures, including Inventing A to Z, a product development company, and Inventors Spotlight TV, a shopping network designed to help inventors showcase their brands and sell their products. </p><p class="">Lisa is also the host of The Inventress Podcast, where she offers invaluable insights into inventing, entrepreneurship, and the challenges and triumphs of building a business. She recently became a published author with her book The Inventress’s Guide to Inventing the Right Way: All or Nothing, Now or Never! and has been featured on ABC 7 NY Here and Now with Sandra Bookman to discuss her journey as an inventor and business leader. She has also come out with another book, My Favorite Book of Lullabies, a children's lullaby book with interactive QR codes to have the lullabies play along with the book as the adult reads/sings with Lisa. </p><p class="">In addition to her entrepreneurial ventures, Lisa is passionate about empowering women. Lisa is the founder of a nonprofit organization about empowering women called AOWIE, The Association of Women Inventors and Entrepreneurs. She hosts the annual AOWIE Women’s Empowerment Conference, which brings together entrepreneurs for learning, networking, and growth. </p><p class="">In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:</p><ul data-rte-list="default"><li><p class="">What pushed Lisa to begin her inventing journey</p></li><li><p class="">What resilience and consistency looked like for Lisa as she built her business</p></li><li><p class="">How she came up with her slogan: “Lifting Each Other Up Two Hands at a Time and Sometimes You Need a Foot”</p></li><li><p class="">Lisa’s advice for second- and third-generation family businesses when things get hard</p></li><li><p class="">What Lisa has learned about how to be successful as an entrepreneur</p></li><li><p class="">And more….</p></li></ul><p class="">To learn more about Lisa, her business Inventing A to Z, or any of her books, visit <a href="https://inventingatoz.com/">https://inventingatoz.com/</a>. </p><p class="">At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit <a href="http://www.tncfb.com">www.tncfb.com</a>.</p><p class="">If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a <strong>FREE </strong> <a href="https://www.tncfb.com/transitionassessment%20"><strong>Transition Assessment</strong></a><strong> (follow link)</strong> and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant. </p><p class="">Until next time, <strong>There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!</strong></p>
April 21, 2026
Episode 100: Creating a Culture of Generosity in Your Family Business with Jeff Rutt
<figure class=" sqs-block-image-figure intrinsic " > <img data-stretch="false" data-image="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/69189b72-4307-401a-9ef1-7761ad1dc994/FBT+Podcast+100-1.png" data-image-dimensions="1536x768" data-image-focal-point="0.5,0.5" alt="" data-load="false" elementtiming="system-image-block" src="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/69189b72-4307-401a-9ef1-7761ad1dc994/FBT+Podcast+100-1.png?format=1000w" width="1536" height="768" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, (max-width: 767px) 100vw, 100vw" onload="this.classList.add("loaded")" srcset="https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/69189b72-4307-401a-9ef1-7761ad1dc994/FBT+Podcast+100-1.png?format=100w 100w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/69189b72-4307-401a-9ef1-7761ad1dc994/FBT+Podcast+100-1.png?format=300w 300w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/69189b72-4307-401a-9ef1-7761ad1dc994/FBT+Podcast+100-1.png?format=500w 500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/69189b72-4307-401a-9ef1-7761ad1dc994/FBT+Podcast+100-1.png?format=750w 750w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/69189b72-4307-401a-9ef1-7761ad1dc994/FBT+Podcast+100-1.png?format=1000w 1000w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/69189b72-4307-401a-9ef1-7761ad1dc994/FBT+Podcast+100-1.png?format=1500w 1500w, https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/588f83c36b8f5b07d8b72992/69189b72-4307-401a-9ef1-7761ad1dc994/FBT+Podcast+100-1.png?format=2500w 2500w" loading="lazy" decoding="async" data-loader="sqs"> </figure> <p class="">Our guest today is Jeff Rutt, CEO and Founder of Keystone Custom Homes, a Pennsylvania-based home building company that has built over 8000 homes. Early in Jeff’s career, God got Jeff’s attention in the area of generosity.</p><p class="">It wasn’t long after starting Keystone that Jeff launched Hope International. Since its inception, HOPE has provided more than $1.5 billion dollars to more than 2.5 million small business owners across 24 countries in the form of microfinance loans in order to empower them to break their own cycle of poverty with the gifts that God gave them.</p><p class="">Over the years, Jeff has used profits from Keystone to fuel Hope’s mission. However, Jeff and his family have taken another step further by giving away 89% of the ownership of Keystone through the National Christian Foundation. </p><p class="">In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:</p><ul data-rte-list="default"><li><p class="">Why it is important to create social value alongside financial returns in your family business</p></li><li><p class="">What the impact of Hope’s microfinancing initiative has been around the world</p></li><li><p class="">Answers to the key questions a business owner should ask before starting a social enterprise initiative in their business</p></li><li><p class="">How you can practice significant generosity in your business and continue their legacy by transitioning ownership to the next generation</p></li><li><p class="">Advice for family business owners who might consider giving away their business as part of their transition plan</p></li><li><p class="">And more….</p></li></ul><p class="">To learn more about Jeff Rutt and Keystone Custom Homes, visit their website at <a href="http://www.keystonecustomhomes.com">www.keystonecustomhomes.com</a>. To learn more about or partner with Hope International, visit <a href="http://www.hopeinternational.org">www.hopeinternational.org</a>.</p><p class="">At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit <a href="http://www.tncfb.com">www.tncfb.com</a>.</p><p class="">If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a <strong>FREE </strong> <a href="https://www.tncfb.com/transitionassessment%20"><strong>Transition Assessment</strong></a><strong> (follow link)</strong> and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant. </p><p class="">Until next time, <strong>There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!</strong></p>
101 total episodes available with 1 transcripts
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