Family Businesses Series of Six Articles
In addition to investment banking, I write a periodic Business Ownership guest column for News.ThomasNet.com. I published a series of six articles on Family Businesses in late 2019 (which were tremendously popular, ranking in the top of all articles read that week). This series is useful and important reading for private company owners considering family succession.
Perhaps you will find them pertinent to your own situation. Please see the list and links below.

1) Family Businesses Rarely Transfer to the Next Generation – Here’s Why It Matters
Many U.S. private company owners dream that someday their offspring will want to take over the business, then successfully grow it to new levels, but that dream isn’t usually a reality.
2) 10 Reasons Why Your Kids Probably Won’t Take Over the Family Business
Only somewhere between an estimated 10% to 30% of U.S. businesses transfer to family members when the founder exits, here are some reasons why.
Link within that article to my “Business Owners’ Transition Planning Quiz”
Private company owners who hope that their offspring will want to take over the business should prepare, but that may not be the best option.
4) Selling to Junior: How Private Equity Can Fund Family Succession and Foster Success
There are many details to consider before gifting or selling your business to your children for future management.
5) The Secrets to Setting Your Family Business Up for Success
In a sense, think of your business as a high-performing company that just happens to employ some family members.
6) What Are the Alternatives to Selling a Business Besides Family Succession?
Although entrusting the majority of your retirement wealth to your children who will buy your company on a multi-year note collateralized by the business may be worth Nice Guy credit in the afterlife, it’s likely not the best idea in the short-term.
Alternately, this page on the Thomas site contains all of the above links.