Family Business Breakfast Revisited

Family Business Breakfast panelists reinforced the recommendations from articles below during their discussion at Walsh College on October 30. Sponsor Ursula Scroggs from DKSS moderated the panel with expert guest Dr. Mary Whiteside, psychologist and author of one of the family business book series. Sally and Mark Young and Jill and Mike Kotsis revealed some of the problems couples have when they work together and own a business together.

From left: Mark Young, Western Creative chairman; Stephanie Bergeron, Walsh College president; Dr. Mary Whiteside, psychologist; Mike Semanco, Hennessey Capital president and Walsh College trustee.

Sponsors at the Family Business Breakfast included CORP Magazine family business columnist Rick Segal and business development manager Susan Gibson; and MAP Business Solutions president Mike Pircer and guest Brian Bach, CFO Services.

Walsh adjunct professor Paul Raine, JD; and from sponsor Foster Swift Collins and Smith attorneys Rebecca Davies and Eleanore Schroeder.

Dr. Mary Whiteside offered advice to the family business audience: "identify which hat you're wearing when you communicate with family members. Are you speaking as the business partner, or as the spouse. Try not to mix the two."

Walsh College's new Barry Center auditorium was the site of the Family Business Breakfast and more than 75 people were in attendance.

Thanks to the panelists and to the breakout session presenters:

Frank Seyferth, JD, Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC

Truman Timmis, JD, The Advanced Strategies Group

Rebecca Davies, JD, Foster Swift Collins & Smith PC

Mike Palazzola, CPA, Derderian Kann Seyferth & Salucci PC

Robert Minter, PhD, Walsh College

Diane Buffalin, PhD, psychologist.

Watch for next month's Michigan Business Success Story: Biggby Coffee CEO Bob Fish, November 18, Novi.