{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"What Makes a Family Business Last Across Generations | The Family Biz Show Ep. 125","description":"What actually keeps a family business alive across generations? And how do you protect both the business\u2026 and the family relationships that come with it? \u201cWhy does succession feel so complicated?\u201d \u201cHow do you prepare your kids without creating entitlement?\u201d \u201cWhat happens when family dynamics start affecting business decisions?\u201d \u201cHow do you know if the next generation truly wants this life?\u201d This conversation gives you the answer. In this episode of The Family Biz Show, you\u2019ll hear the powerful story of Domenic Cortese and Cortese Construction Services \u2014 a family business that began with two immigrant brothers working factory jobs and evolved into a thriving multi-generational company. But this episode goes far beyond business growth. Domenic shares the hard lessons that shaped the company across decades: burnout from founder mentality, the dangers of forcing family members into the business, sibling ownership challenges, and the importance of building systems, leadership, and accountability that outlast any one generation. You\u2019ll walk away with a clearer understanding of what sustainable family business leadership actually looks like \u2014 and why preserving relationships may matter even more than preserving ownership. Domenic Cortese is the second-generation leader of Cortese Construction Services in Buffalo, New York. Under his leadership, the company evolved from a seasonal concrete business into a respected remodeling and construction company with third-generation family leadership already in place. Domenic and his family have also been deeply involved with the University at Buffalo Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL), mentoring other family businesses through succession and growth challenges. One of the biggest insights from this episode is that family business longevity rarely happens by accident. It requires intentional communication, earned responsibility, healthy governance, and the willingness to let each generation find its own path. This episode also explores: Why forcing succession often damages both the business and the family How to separate sibling relationships from business partnerships Why founder bottlenecks can limit growth How leadership teams create scalable family businesses Why work ethic and stewardship matter more than entitlement How grandparents can shape future generations of leadership If you\u2019re navigating succession planning, preparing the next generation, or trying to build a business that survives beyond the founder, this episode delivers practical wisdom from decades of real-world experience. Listen now: https:\/\/www.familybusinessflywheel.com\/podcast ","author_name":"The Family Biz Show","author_url":"https:\/\/www.familybusinessflywheel.com\/podcast","html":"