Family Business Today

About Family Business Today

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.

Publisher

Tennessee Center for Family Business

Category

business · business · business

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

31 Aug 2017

Latest episode

15 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

1 of 104 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   15 Sept 2026

   Episode 105: How Walton’s Jewelry Keeps their Sparkle in the Third Generation with Julie Walton Garland

   Episode 105: How Walton’s Jewelry Keeps their Sparkle in the Third Generation with Julie Walton Garl TNCFB Our guest today is Julie Walton Garland. As a third-generation owner, Julie has carried Walton's into a new era while honoring the legacy her grandmother began. After earning her B.A. from the University of Colorado Boulder, she returned home to Franklin, Tennessee and officially joined the family business in 2012. Since then, she’s earned her Graduate Gemologist diploma, expanded the brand’s online presence, led a full showroom renovation, and deepened Walton’s commitment to philanthropy and community involvement. Julie’s love for Franklin, Tennessee, runs deep. She’s a passionate advocate for the continued success of Main Street and takes pride in creating a welcoming, elevated experience for every client who walks through the door. In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn: How Julie went from wedding planning after college to a co-owner of her family business The things her grandmother taught her about running a business The value of place to family businesses How Walton’s competes with big national chains and the Internet The surprising thing about running a family business And more…. To learn more about Julie and Walton’s Jewelry, visit www.waltonsjewelry.com (http://www.waltonsjewelry.com). 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 www.tncfb.com (http://www.tncfb.com). If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE Transition Assessment (https://www.tncfb.com/transitionassessment%20) (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant. Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!

2. 

   17 Aug 2026

   Episode 104: Why the Best Family Business Leaders Serve First

   Episode 104: Why the Best Family Business Leaders Serve First TNCFB Our guest today is Ray Chung. Ray is an entrepreneur, an advisor, and serves as a senior consultant at Rising Sun Consultants, a servant leadership and organizational consulting company. Prior to his most current endeavor in consulting, he has led in the area of people and culture for organizations including LINKBANK, TE Connectivity, and Willis Towers Watson. Ray's favorite part of his job is simply showing up and serving — going on a walk with a leader on the Appalachian Trail, flipping burgers for his teammates, or visiting the storefronts of entrepreneurs in Rwanda. In addition to his current role, Ray is a proud ambassador for HOPE International, serves as a mentor with Ardent Mentoring, and is on the board for Brethren In Christ. He enjoys trail running, a good cup of coffee, and is a huge fan of The Finish Line Pledge Podcast. Ray and his wife, Heather, live in Dillsburg, PA (home of the infamous New Year's Eve Pickle Drop). They have three children, Micah, Delia, and Eden. They are members of The Meeting House Church. In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn: How to transition from “the boss” to a servant leader of your family business Practical ways that a family business owner can earn trust How lead from family values The first steps to becoming more service-oriented as a family business owner The role humility plays in a successful family business And more…. To learn more about Ray and his business, visit https://risingsunconsultants.com/ (https://risingsunconsultants.com/). 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 www.tncfb.com (http://www.tncfb.com). If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE Transition Assessment (https://www.tncfb.com/transitionassessment%20) (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant. Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!

3. 

   21 Jul 2026

   Episode 103: 1 Family, 4 Generations, 100 Years: The Sprague Pest Solutions Story with Ross Treleven

   Episode 103: 1 Family, 4 Generations, 100 Years: The Sprague Pest Solutions Story with Ross Treleven TNCFB Our guest today is Ross Treleven. Ross was named President of Sprague Pest Solutions in January 2021 and named CEO in May 2024. Treleven joined Sprague in 1998 for a summer job in high school, becoming a technician in college, where he attended Gonzaga University completing a Business Marketing Degree. He also holds an M.B.A. from the University of Denver. After graduating from Gonzaga in 2004, Ross moved from technician to sales, further learning the business from the ground up. He became the Branch Manager for the Seattle branch in 2006 and then the Denver branch in 2011 before being named District Manager for the Mountain Region in 2015. He then went on to become the Regional Manager and built our internal Operations Center at the home office. In 2016, he was promoted to General Manager before being named Vice President of Operations in 2018, and Executive Vice President in 2019. Ross is a recipient of the 2021 SouthSound Business Journal’s 40 Under 40, and 2018 Vistage Impact Award (Puget Sound). He currently serves on the board of directors for Cambium Endeavors, Sprague Pest Solutions, the TMC Corporation, and the Treleven Family Foundation; and volunteers his time with Degrees of Change and the Annie Wright Schools’ Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee in Tacoma, Washington. In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn: The key leadership principles that have led to multiple successful leadership transitions How Ross’s family practices balance and transparency in the business The difference between preparing a family member to own versus lead the business Specific moments that helped shape Ross’s leadership development The innovative ways Sprague Pest Solutions prepares leaders and cultivates the Next Gen’s interest in the business And more…. To learn more about Ross and his business, visit https://www.spraguepest.com/ (https://www.spraguepest.com/). 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 www.tncfb.com (http://www.tncfb.com). If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE Transition Assessment (https://www.tncfb.com/transitionassessment%20) (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant. Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!

Inside a recent episode

Episode 98: Building a Sellable Business Even if You are Not Selling It Yet with Tyson Ray

Published 21 Feb 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] That's first if they do any and or in fairness they may not know. Yeah, one of the mistakes that family businesses make is they wait to the end to do the transition of responsibility. And if they looked back and they were honest for themselves, they were both mentored and they both shadowed people that they took the business over from or they learned from if it was outside of their business. And one of the best things you can do with your successor and one of the best things you could focus on in a succession isn't so much the money. It's how can the business be successful without you and the way to do that is early on and I'm talking years before you actually make the transition. […]

Who has been a guest on Family Business Today

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Tyson Ray
• Ruschelle Khanna
• Christophe Cloitre
• Morgan Weinstock
• Jackson Wetherington

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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