My wife complains I’m a workaholic. She actually told my kids she’s considering divorce. I own my business. It does very well but it’s because I work long hours and many weekends. How can I make her understand? (more…)

My wife and I own a business with over six million in annual sales. My oldest son is getting married in about a year. He works for us but owns no part of the business. The plan is for all our kids to own shares in the company. Our attorney is suggesting we draw up a prenuptial. It feels awkward. Is a prenuptial necessary? (more…)

We are retiring after having owned two restaurants for over thirty years. My wife insists we give one each to our two sons. Our older son is irresponsible and I know he will run the business into the ground. Should we just sell the two restaurants? (more…)

My son is 23 and just graduated college with a degree in finance. I would like for him to take over the family business in 5 to 10 years. What are some suggestions for making this happen? (more…)

I am a 24 year old woman with a master’s degree in English literature. I’m currently managing a bookstore and contemplating going for my Ph.D. and teaching. My father owns a publishing and marketing company with about $15 million in revenues. My younger brother is 19 and a freshman in college. He says he has no idea what he wants to major in, except maybe partying. Our father is in his late 50’s and had a heart attack last year. Two weeks ago he asked me to come into the business and eventually run it. He feels confident I could do it with the help of management training and a mentoring program over the next 3 or 4 years. I know a great deal about the business having worked in it throughout my adolescence. I’m engaged to be married in six months to someone who is in the publishing industry. I haven’t mentioned it to him yet since I think he might see it as a good opportunity for us but I’m not sure that’s what I want to do. I feel selfish and scared. How should I be thinking about this? (more…)

I am the CEO and owner of a family business. I have been hoping to retire soon but I feel trapped. I have two sons in the business but they simply don’t get along. I have a daughter who doesn’t want any part of the company but I think she’s the smartest one. She has an MBA and runs a business twice as big as ours. My wife is putting pressure on me to sell the business and be done with it. I’m tempted to do it and move to Arizona. Suggestions? (more…)