Family Business Matters

Curiosity Over Conflict with Dr. Shimul Melwani

In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Cooper Biersach sits down with Dr. Shimul Melwani, Associate Dean of the Undergraduate Business Program at UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and Professor of Organizational Behavior. Drawing from her personal background in family business, Dr. Melwani explores how conflict is often rooted not in business issues, but in fairness, relationships, and emotion.
The central focus? Ambivalence: the reality of holding both positive and negative feelings at the same time. Rather than something to fix, mixed feelings can lead to more flexible thinking, stronger leadership, and more cohesive teams.
 
The conversation highlights how silence can create assumptions that fuel resentment and conflict, reinforcing the idea that clarity is kindness. Dr. Melwani also introduces her research on “mega threats”, large societal forces shaping generational perspectives and how individuals interpret reality differently.
 
Listeners will gain tools to approach family business dynamics with greater internal and relational curiosity, transforming tension into more productive dialogue rather than avoiding it.
Dr. Melwani will expand on these ideas at the 13th Annual Family Business Forum, October 28–29, 2026, at the Rizzo Center in Chapel Hill (link in show notes).
 
Notes:
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13th Annual Family Business Forum
Dr. Shimul Melwani

The Leap to Independent Governance: Lessons from Mills Manufacturing

In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Peter Begella sits down with John Oswald, Brian Turner, and Robin Turner of Mills Manufacturing, a 3rd generation manufacturer of highly technical parachute systems based in Asheville, NC, to explore the company’s evolution following the introduction of an independent board.
 
Drawing on their experiences as operators, shareholders, and board members, they share candid insights into how this governance shift has strengthened alignment, clarified decision-making, and enabled more strategic long-term planning.
 
They also reflect on the challenges that come with change, emphasizing that while adopting an independent board can be a learning curve, the right structures, conversations, and role clarity can ultimately foster both a healthier business and stronger family relationships.
In Notes:
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Peter Begalla
John Oswald
Brian Turrner
Robin Turner
Mills Manufacturing  

The Science of Sustainable Leadership with Dr. Mike Christian

In family businesses, leadership isn’t just about performance, it’s about endurance, relationships, and legacy. But what if sustaining yourself as a leader wasn’t about pushing harder?
 
In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Cooper Biersach sits down with Dr. Mike Christian, award-winning researcher and expert in human energy and resilience, to explore a different approach: energy crafting.
 
Together, they unpack why the traditional narrative of grit and burnout falls short, especially in family enterprises where leaders carry overlapping roles and emotional demands. Mike shares how energy, physical, cognitive, and emotional, is not fixed, but something leaders can actively generate, direct, and renew.
You’ll learn:
Why resilience is really a story of energy, not endurance
How your personal energy directly shapes your team and culture
Practical ways to identify hidden “energy leaks” and make small, meaningful shifts
This conversation reframes leadership capacity as something you can intentionally design, not just sustain.
In Notes:
 
Get Connected
Mike Christian
6 “Ms” of Energy Crafting
Motion and Rest
Mastery Experience
Making Connections
Meaning
Mindfulness
My Choice
3 Cs of Hardiness
Commitment
Control
Challenge
 

Family Enterprise Fundamentals: Three Questions Every Business Family Must Answer with Cooper Biersach and Steve Miller

Where should we start? How do we manage conflict? How do we help the next generation find purpose and avoid entitlement?
In this episode of the The Family Enterprise Center, host Cooper Biersach is joined by Steve Miller, co-founder of the Family Enterprise Center and former president of the Biltmore Estate, to explore the three foundational questions business-owning families ask most often as they think about continuity across generations.
Drawing on decades of experience working with family enterprises, and Steve’s research on next-generation leadership development, this conversation offers practical, accessible insights for families at any stage of their journey. Together, Cooper and Steve discuss:
Why shared purpose is the true starting point for family enterprises
How families can move from avoiding conflict to managing it productively
How early responsibility, communication, and intentional preparation help the rising generation develop purpose, accountability, and stewardship
Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of family enterprise fundamentals and at least one concrete idea or question they can apply immediately within their own family or organization.
Whether you are an owner, family member, advisor, or next-generation leader, this episode provides a thoughtful framework for strengthening both the business and the family behind it.Links 
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Student Voices: The Power of Community and Belonging at Carolina with Molly Malek

This Student Voices episode spotlights the undergraduate experience at Carolina through the lens of Molly Malek, a driven student leader whose journey has been shaped by the Family Enterprise Center and the Family Business Club. Molly reflects on her path to UNC, her family business background, and the donor‑supported programs that have helped her find direction, community, and career clarity.
 
Perfect for prospective students, families, and supporters, this episode captures the heart of what donor generosity makes possible. Join us as we celebrate Molly’s story and look ahead to Giving Day.          
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Chesney Maniaci
Family Enterprise Center Website

From Anxiety to Curiosity: Tools from Bowen Systems Theory with Dr. Kathleen Smith

Families are powerful systems, and sometimes, they’re anxiety‑creating machines. In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Cooper Biersach sits down with therapist and bestselling author Dr. Kathleen Smith
to explore how Bowen Family Systems Theory can transform the way we understand ourselves, our families, and our roles in family enterprises.
 
Kathleen breaks down how anxiety moves through a family, why we repeat automatic patterns, and how even small shifts in our behavior can change long‑standing dynamics. Together, Cooper and Kathleen discuss real-world examples, including a multigenerational family business scenario, to illustrate how concepts like triangles and differentiation show up in everyday work and life.
 
Listeners will walk away with:
A clear, conversational introduction to Bowen Theory
Practical ways to observe and interrupt reactivity
First steps for applying these ideas in your family or family enterprise
 
Whether you’re leading a family business, navigating complex relationships, or simply curious about how families operate, this episode offers tools to help you respond thoughtfully rather than react automatically.Books
Everything Isn’t Terrible
True to You
Family Enterpise Center Links
The Family Enterprise Center
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How to Invest in Your Rising-Gen with Bess and Jamie McLawhorn

In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Chris Maslin sits down with father–daughter duo Jamie McLawhorn and Bess McLawhorn of Marsh Properties for a candid conversation on what it really takes to prepare the rising generation for leadership in a family enterprise.
Together, they share their personal journeys, the intentional steps their family has taken to develop next‑gen talent, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. From growing up around the family business to navigating formal development structures, the McLawhorns offer practical wisdom, honest reflections, and stories that bring their experience to life.
Listeners will walk away with insights on:
Why rising generation development matters now more than ever
The long‑term outcomes families should aim for
Structures and practices that reduce conflict and create clarity
What they wish they’d done differently, and what’s working well today
Whether you're part of a multigenerational family business or supporting one, this conversation invites you to reflect on your own family's learning journey and consider one meaningful step you can take forward.
Tune in, learn alongside our community, and take your next step toward strengthening your family enterprise.
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Boundaries: Why They're Hard and How They Help with Melissa Mitchell-Blitch

This episode of Family Business Matters dives into the role boundaries play in creating healthier relationships and stronger family enterprises. With host Cooper Biersach, our guest, Melissa Mitchell-Blitch, author and family dynamics expert, shares why boundaries are often misunderstood, why they matter, and how they can transform the way we lead and live. Through real-world examples and practical strategies, you’ll learn how boundaries clarify roles, reduce conflict, and help individuals and organizations thrive. Expect actionable insights you can apply immediately to navigate complexity with confidence.
Learn More!
In the Company of Family: How to Thrive When Business is Personal
Cooper Biersach
Melissa Mitchell-Blitch
 

Engaged Ownership: Why Governance Matters with Amy Renkert-Thomas

In this episode of Family Business Matters, host Cooper Biersach sits down with Amy Renkert-Thomas, a lawyer, educator, and former president of her family’s fifth-generation manufacturing business. Amy brings decades of experience in family enterprise governance and ownership to the conversation. 
Together, they explore what governance really means, why it matters for family businesses, and how it evolves across generations.
Listeners will learn:
How family business governance differs from public company governance.
Why shared purpose and vision are essential for long-term success.
The role of owners and boards in creating clarity and alignment.
Practical steps for building governance structures that fit your family enterprise.
Whether you’re a founder wondering if governance is worth the effort or a next-generation leader preparing for the future, this episode offers actionable insights to help your family business thrive.
Featured Notes:
Engaged Ownership by Amy-Renkert Thomas
Building a Successful Family Business BoardThe Family Enterprise Center
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Lessons on Lacrosse, Life, and Returning to the Family Business with Frankie and Stephen Kelly

In this special two-guest episode, Lauren Willets Director of UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School’s The Family Enterprise Center, sits down with brothers Frankie Kelly IV (UNC BSBA ’14, UNC MAC '15)
and Stephen Kelly (UNC BSBA '17) to reminisce about their Carolina days as Family Enterprise students and lacrosse champions. They share candid insights on their early career paths, the decision to return to their family business, and the realities of navigating family dynamics. Listeners will enjoy hearing how these two brothers found their way back to Kelly Benefits—and what they’ve learned along the journey.