Independence by Design™ #416: Behind the Curtain: How Ultra-Wealthy Families Manage Their Business Assets with Brandon Henry
In this episode of Independence by Design™, I have a fascinating discussion with Brandon Henry, who works closely with billionaires and ultra-high-net-worth families as part of a family office. This conversation is invaluable for owner-operators running middle-market companies, offering a glimpse into the world of sophisticated wealth management and how even the wealthiest families are navigating challenges. Brandon's insights highlight that you don’t need to have everything figured out right away, and that even those at the top are still trying to professionalize ownership and create strategic options.
We explore how these ultra-wealthy families wrestle with decisions that are just as complex as those faced by smaller businesses and why professionalizing ownership isn't just for billionaires. Brandon shares the key differences between financial capital (like tax, legal, and investment strategies) and family capital (managing dynamics and decision-making), and how the best families learn to separate operating the business from owning the asset. This episode provides practical takeaways on how to think about your business as a strategic asset, improve your decision-making, and create optionality for your future.
Brandon Henry is a seasoned wealth advisor and governance strategist specializing in helping ultra-high-net-worth families and first-generation entrepreneurs master the complexities of family business, estate planning, and capital allocation. With a deep understanding of financial capital and family dynamics, Brandon works at the intersection of ownership strategy and wealth management to help families achieve generational independence.
Chapters:
- (00:00) Intro of guest Brandon Henry
- (07:10) Financial Capital vs. Family Capital
- (12:45) Why Professionalizing Ownership Is Crucial, Maximizing Options for Family Ownership, Family Office Complexity
- (20:05) Understanding Financial Statements and Ownership Framework
- (26:14) Improving Decision Making With Three Statements, Aligning Business and Family Goals
- (32:15) Valuations, Estate Planning & Taxes, and Understanding Risk, Wealth Building Through Risk Management
- (46:19) Navigating Ownership and Succession Planning
- (57:44) Mapping Family Ownership Strategy, Entrepreneurial Parents and Future Opportunities
- (1:00:00) Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
- Share with the owner/operators you know!
Ryan Tansom is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of Independence by Design™, a transformative ownership framework for growth-oriented business owners. After turning around and selling his family business in an eight-figure exit, Ryan spent over a decade dissecting the lessons learned from his journey. His mission is to help other business owners avoid the pitfalls he encountered by providing them with the tools and knowledge to align their business operations with their personal and financial goals.
With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by owner-operators, Ryan developed Independence by Design™ to empower owner-operators to create sustainable cash flow, grow their company’s equity value, and achieve true independence. He has shared his insights on hundreds of stages, including Vistage, EO, and industry associations, and has reached over 500,000 listeners through his podcast.
Ryan is passionate about helping business owners get unstuck from the day-to-day grind and design a business that serves their life, not the other way around.
Resources:
Independence by Design #350 - “What it Means to “Think Like an Owner” with Brandon Henry
The Intentional Growth Podcast Archives – Discover more about ownership thinking.
Built to Sell by John Warrillow – Create a business that thrives without you.
The Great Game of Business by Jack Stack – Make financial literacy a strategic advantage.
LinkedIn: Brandon Henry
Website: Mosaic Advisors
https://ryantansom.com/independence-by-design-workshop Independence by Design™ Ownership Coaching: Ryan Tansom’s Ownership Accelerator programs and coaching https://ryantansom.com/coaching
Ryan Tansom Website https://ryantansom.com/
Ryan Tansom LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantansom/
Ryan Tansom Twitter https://twitter.com/RyanTansom
Ryan Tansom YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ryantansom
Ryan Tansom 30-Minute Ownership Strategy Call https://calendar.app.google/tsKk7z6ohugDchWq8
Sound Bites:
"Most successful family businesses aren’t as sophisticated as they seem. They’re often making decisions on the fly, and that should give middle-market owners confidence to get serious about professionalizing their own operations." — Brandon Henry
"When you clarify what you want from your business—cash flow, equity growth, and timeline—you unlock a whole new set of options." – Brandon Henry
"Your business should be an asset, not just a job. The moment you shift your mindset, you start building wealth that serves your life, not the other way around." – Ryan Tansom
"The hardest but most rewarding part of ownership is deciding what the business needs to give you, not what you need to give it." – Brandon Henry