Turn Your Family Business into a Business Family
Family Business Center
More than 30 Years of Family Business Excellence
The St. Thomas Family Business Center is the leader in family business education, connection and support. Our learning community is built of family businesses, for family businesses. Whether you're in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa or anywhere else, part of the St. Thomas alumni or have never been to campus, we'll serve your needs.
Our programming helps families find their right conversations, based on their own history, values, dynamics and goals for the future. The Family Business Center creates an environment where these conversations can be held, with attendees surrounded by other family businesses... who get it. And may have some wisdom to share.
Whether its succession planning, generational dynamics, leadership transition or something else keeping you up at night, our center and its ever-growing number of family businesses, is the community that can walk alongside your family and business.
If you're stuck and want to discuss your family business, call the center. If you need a good advisor, call the center for that too. If you want to see if we're the right fit, call the center. We'd love to have you join our community and learn the important conversations that will carry your family legacy into its next generation.
Contact
Jon Keimig
Family Business Center Offerings
Family Business Breakfast Series
The Family Business Breakfast Series is our most popular event, averaging about 150 family members in attendance at each event. It is a safe place for families to tackle unique issues, engage with other families, and find their path forward. The 2023-24 Family Business Breakfast Season is just about finalized. Dates are set, but topics & titles could shift a bit. The Series meets Thursday mornings from 7:30-9:30 a.m. on the St. Paul campus. January 18 is a virtual-only event.
2023-24 Season:
- September 14: The Business of Shared Leadership, 6th Generation Speaker
- October 26: Married to the Family Business: Helping Your Spouse "Get" the Family Business
- December 7: Creating the Family Meeting that Best Serves Your Needs
- January 18: Finding Your Path, Purpose & Identity in the Family Business
- February 29: Structuring Ownership for the Future
- April 4: Aligning Family for the Big Decisions
- May 9: Generational Conversations: Understanding What's Said and Hasn't Been Said
A season membership costs $1,750, which grant access for all family members to all Breakfast Series events, a $300 discount per peer group, a next generation event, a women's leadership event and a workshop for spouses not in the business. You can register your family for a membership here.
For families that are not members, the cost is $300 per family, per Breakfast Series event. First-time families are invited to join us at no cost.
Thanks to the generosity of a donor, the center can provide financial assistance to smaller family businesses who may not be able to afford the full cost of a season membership. There's a short application to fill out.
Questions? Contact Executive Director Jon Keimig, jon.keimig@stthomas.edu or 651-962-4560.
Members-only Events
New in 2023, our center members have access to three new events, that are included in the membership and come at no additional cost. We aim to connect family businesses with programming beyond the Breakfast Series, to create meaningful learning and relationships in a new way.
- Next Gen Gathering
Thursday, Nov. 2, 4-6 p.m., Utepils Brewing - Workshop for Spouses Not in the Business
Thursday, February 8, morning, Minneapolis campus - Women's Legacy Event
TBD, Spring 2024
Peer Groups
Join a group of peers who share similar family business roles to participate in confidential discussions about critical family and business issues, and help each other to navigate and overcome challenges. The center currently has six groups, including one for executives, two for women and three for next generation members. Groups meet 7-10 times a year, up to three hours each time. The annual cost is $850 per person for members, and $1150 for nonmembers. To ensure that you and your preferred peer group will be a good fit, you must submit an application. For details, please contact us at jon.keimig@stthomas.edu.
Advisor Engagement
The Advisor Engagement Luncheon allows family business advisors like bankers, accountants, financial planners, attorneys, psychologists and coaches to learn together about topics that will help them better serve their family business clients and build their professional networks. Advisors can attend individually at $60 each or firms can sponsor a table of eight for the season, to bring and engage with clients, colleagues and partners, at a cost of $4,000 for the year.
Upcoming Luncheons:
- November 2, 2023 - Calling Shotgun: Navigating Sibling Partnerships
- February 22, 2024 - Implementing Generational Family Values in the Business
- May 16, 2024 - Transitions in Three Parts
Interested in joining our group of sponsor tables? Email center director Jon Keimig at jon.keimig@stthomas.edu.
Family Business Courses
St. Thomas students can take courses in the family business. Through practical and experiential learning, as well as engagement with a family business, students will learn to be an effective part of their family business or have the tools to help guide someone else's. Learn what makes family businesses unique and harness the dynamics, values and history to create a competitive advantage.
Find an Advisor
Whether your family is experiencing hardship in personal relationships, succession planning or has a general need for financial planning, an advisor can add value to your business family. Learn what to look for in an adviser and see a list of family business advisors.
Community Engagement
Family Business Breakfast Series
The Family Business Breakfast Series is our most popular event, averaging about 150 family members in attendance at each event. It is a safe place for families to tackle unique issues, engage with other families, and find their path forward. The 2023-24 Family Business Breakfast Season is just about finalized. Dates are set, but topics & titles could shift a bit. The Series meets Thursday mornings from 7:30-9:30 a.m. on the St. Paul campus. January 18 is a virtual-only event.
2023-24 Season:
- September 14: The Business of Shared Leadership, 6th Generation Speaker
- October 26: Married to the Family Business: Helping Your Spouse "Get" the Family Business
- December 7: Creating the Family Meeting that Best Serves Your Needs
- January 18: Finding Your Path, Purpose & Identity in the Family Business
- February 29: Structuring Ownership for the Future
- April 4: Aligning Family for the Big Decisions
- May 9: Generational Conversations: Understanding What's Said and Hasn't Been Said
A season membership costs $1,750, which grant access for all family members to all Breakfast Series events, a $300 discount per peer group, a next generation event, a women's leadership event and a workshop for spouses not in the business. You can register your family for a membership here.
For families that are not members, the cost is $300 per family, per Breakfast Series event. First-time families are invited to join us at no cost.
Thanks to the generosity of a donor, the center can provide financial assistance to smaller family businesses who may not be able to afford the full cost of a season membership. There's a short application to fill out.
Questions? Contact Executive Director Jon Keimig, jon.keimig@stthomas.edu or 651-962-4560.
Members-only Events
New in 2023, our center members have access to three new events, that are included in the membership and come at no additional cost. We aim to connect family businesses with programming beyond the Breakfast Series, to create meaningful learning and relationships in a new way.
- Next Gen Gathering
Thursday, Nov. 2, 4-6 p.m., Utepils Brewing - Workshop for Spouses Not in the Business
Thursday, February 8, morning, Minneapolis campus - Women's Legacy Event
TBD, Spring 2024
Peer Groups
Join a group of peers who share similar family business roles to participate in confidential discussions about critical family and business issues, and help each other to navigate and overcome challenges. The center currently has six groups, including one for executives, two for women and three for next generation members. Groups meet 7-10 times a year, up to three hours each time. The annual cost is $850 per person for members, and $1150 for nonmembers. To ensure that you and your preferred peer group will be a good fit, you must submit an application. For details, please contact us at jon.keimig@stthomas.edu.
Advisor Engagement
The Advisor Engagement Luncheon allows family business advisors like bankers, accountants, financial planners, attorneys, psychologists and coaches to learn together about topics that will help them better serve their family business clients and build their professional networks. Advisors can attend individually at $60 each or firms can sponsor a table of eight for the season, to bring and engage with clients, colleagues and partners, at a cost of $4,000 for the year.
Upcoming Luncheons:
- November 2, 2023 - Calling Shotgun: Navigating Sibling Partnerships
- February 22, 2024 - Implementing Generational Family Values in the Business
- May 16, 2024 - Transitions in Three Parts
Interested in joining our group of sponsor tables? Email center director Jon Keimig at jon.keimig@stthomas.edu.
Family Business Courses
St. Thomas students can take courses in the family business. Through practical and experiential learning, as well as engagement with a family business, students will learn to be an effective part of their family business or have the tools to help guide someone else's. Learn what makes family businesses unique and harness the dynamics, values and history to create a competitive advantage.
Find an Advisor
Whether your family is experiencing hardship in personal relationships, succession planning or has a general need for financial planning, an advisor can add value to your business family. Learn what to look for in an adviser and see a list of family business advisors.
Community Engagement
Join the Family Business Center
Are you interested in becoming a part of our community of family businesses?
Contact us to learn how to join the Family Business Center, gain access to our events and classes, and get help connecting to an adviser.
Contact us:
familybusiness@stthomas.edu
(651) 962-4560
Schulze Hall 433, Minneapolis Campus