Safe Space with Francesco Lombardo

The role that advisors play in helping family businesses to fulfill their goals cannot be underestimated and is why my guest this week is Heather Falcone. A second-generation family business member and CEO of Thermal Vac Technology, Heather has more than 20 years of experience, centered in business concepts and is passionate about helping companies and individuals be outspokenly different. Together Francesco and Heather discuss the components of a successful relationship between the family and advisor and discuss how advisors can serve as a valuable bridge between the founder and the next generation. Connect with me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational https://veritage.ca    

Working with family enterprises and business owners, Chris Yonker helps them navigate the intricate and unique aspects of both being related and owning a business. Combining his own personal experience and professional work with entrepreneurs, executives, athletes, and celebrities, Chris has created a process inspired by eastern philosophy to preserve continuity.  In this episode, Chris offers his advice for both next-gen and senior-gen family business leaders on how to create a safe space to effectively communicate with one another. He also discusses the impact of childhood trauma and why progress is never linear, highlighting that it begins with an internal evaluation of who we really are, why we are here and what we want to do in the world.  Connect with me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational https://veritage.ca  

Kent Johnson, is the CEO of the company that his great-grandparents founded in 1946. In a little two-room office above a car dealership, Highlights magazine was born and today it remains as true to its core as ever. A magazine encouraging children to discover their creativity and imagination, Kent explains why he believes that childhood is the critical foundation for developing happy and healthy children.  A company that has embraced the concept of a Chief Purpose Officer, Kent shares why and how inclusion helps to connect everyone in the company to the mission and purpose. This episode is for anyone looking for the tools and techniques to unlock the power of curiosity and humor, so that their business can continue for generations to come. Connect with me here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational https://veritage.ca    

There’s a place in New York that has been serving up some of the city’s best pasta for the past 117 years. Raffetto’s has been supplying New York’s restaurants and home cooks with freshly spun pasta since 1906, and remains a solely family owned business. I spoke with Sarah Raffetto, part of the 4th generation of Raffettos, who as the company’s Chief Operating Officer is responsible for ensuring the restaurant continues for the next 100 years. Sarah believes that the business’s success is largely due to each generation’s commitment to maintain their family traditions whilst being willing to expand and evolve. Connect with me here: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ • https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice • https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternationalhttps://veritage.ca

“How do I find my purpose?” This is one of the questions I am most often asked by those I work with, and is why my conversation with Leadership Expert and Executive Coach James Laughlin is so insightful.  James’ extensive experience spans working with elite performers and leading organizations, including professional athletes, influential CEOs, and multinational corporations. But James is also a musician, marked by seven world championship titles, showcasing his exceptional ability to foster talent and cultivate winning mindsets.  According to James, purpose is not about self, but about others. Purpose is something that inspires those around you to want to join and work with you to build your vision. The clearer the vision, the easier it is to achieve it and to inspire others. James says that when we heighten our awareness and focus our attention to where we want to go in life, then our purpose is revealed. This episode is for anyone struggling to find their place in the world and will help you to look beyond yourself in order to find your true meaning. Connect with me here: • https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ • https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice • https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational https://veritage.ca

James Laughlin is a 7x World Champion and leadership expert, whose incredible journey has taken him from a small town in Northern Ireland to becoming a world solo drumming champion by the age of fourteen. Spending much of his twenties feeling lost, James eventually landed in New Zealand, and although he set up a successful education and retail company, he became frustrated with the 9-5 and instead decided to transform his skills into his purpose, to become a much sought-after leadership coach.   In this conversation James highlights the importance of both self-evaluation and self-reflection in leadership and why creating space for thinking and reconnecting with feelings and emotions is a critical component. James also gives us an insight into the unique framework he uses with CEOs, Professional Sports Teams and leaders to create high-performing teams.    Connect with me here: https://veritage.ca/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational

Nancy Bruns is a seventh-generation member and current Chairman of the Board for a 210-year-old family business in West Virginia. In today’s episode of Safe Space, Nancy explains how she learned to cope with her unexpected inheritance following the death of her father, and how she became an advocate for transparency, open dialogue. Nancy’s passion for change and her belief in the importance of fostering a deep sense of connection and shared purpose, is testament to the longevity and continued success of her family business. Nancy provides valuable insights and strategies for family business owners on how and why strengthening family relationships is critical to the health and wealth of the family business. You can learn more about Nancy and J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works by visiting:  https://www.jqdsalt.com/   Connect with me here: https://veritage.ca/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational  

Paul Hutchinson has dedicated his entire life to creating a world where every child can experience safety, freedom and hope. As an entrepreneur, philanthropist and anti-child trafficking advocate, Paul’s work is underpinned by helping victims to heal from their trauma so that they can go on and live as healthy, functional and emotionally rich adults. Paul's work extends beyond rescuing trafficked children to helping adults heal their inner child, ultimately liberating humanity from the cycle of abuse and trauma. He believes in the promotion of emotional healing and connection to foster a harmonious and emotionally safe environment for themselves and their families. In this episode, Paul discusses the importance of understanding the impact of generational patterns and emotional wounds on family businesses, and provides practical techniques to help you break free. Find more information about Paul and his work at liberating-humanity.com and liberatechildren.org. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of violence, including child abuse and child trafficking. Please listen with care.   Connect with me here: https://veritage.ca/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/francesco-lombardo-fea-496a7966/ https://www.facebook.com/VeritageFamilyOffice https://www.youtube.com/@VeritageInternational  

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Felicia Heng, founder and managing director of Wise Purpose, a boutique consulting firm specializing in family wealth advisory, leadership coaching, and next-generation succession. Felicia shares her diverse expertise in psychology, investments, and family governance, and sheds light on her work with families and the next generation, specifically focusing on the emotional aspects of inheritance and succession.   The conversation delves into the profound impact of sudden deaths and accidents on succession planning, and addresses how narratives related to money and wealth play a crucial role in shaping the emotional journey of individuals involved in the succession process. Felicia’s advice to the Senior and NxtGen…unpack the emotional journey from practical aspects of succession, inheritance, and family business transitions, as clarity in separate narratives allows for better alignment; recognize that this is both an art and a science, seeking support from independent professionals or networks with codified knowledge; and start discussions earlier when everyone is healthier and less stressed, recognizing the importance of time in addressing complex matters, and embracing the proverb that the best time to act was 20 years ago, and the next best time is now. To contact Felicia Heng, reach out to her at felicia.wisepurpose@gmail.com   If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)

Join Francesco Lombardo for this week's Safe Space as he speaks with Julie Charlestein, a fourth-generation President and CEO with Premier Dental. Julie shares the inspiring journey of the business, which started with her grandfather, Julius Charlestein, who was a dental instrument sharpener and eventually evolved into a global leader in developing and manufacturing innovative dental consumables. Julie and Francesco discuss the importance of having governance structures and a board of directors in place to ensure the business's continuity and success. They highlight the value of open communication and the concept of a "safe space" within family businesses, which is vital for addressing challenges and fostering growth. Julie’s one piece of advice to the Senior and NxtGen…there has to be a mutual level of respect and sometimes that's a challenge. Under everything, there needs to be a reciprocal respect. Irrespective of the others' views.   If you would like to keep up to date with all our insights, latest research and stories, click to subscribe to our "Veritage Insights  Newsletter." (https://bit.ly/3JOd7Qq)