UNI offers education and resources to Iowa’s family-owned businesses
The University of Northern Iowa Family Business Center (UNI FBC) is halfway through its 2022-23 season of educating Iowa’s family-owned businesses with its flagship program: The Virtual Breakfast Series. Five times each year, family businesses attend live Q&A sessions with panelists who are both family business members and industry experts. Participants have a chance to break out into small groups to learn from other attendees.
The first three sessions centered on navigating family conflict, translating family values into the family business and succession planning. The next session on March 31 will focus on governance, with guest speakers from King Technology, Inc. and RSM. The final session of the season on May 19 will focus on balancing the legacy business with innovation, with guest speaker Robert Pasin from Radio Flyer.
The UNI FBC strives to strengthen the viability and success of Iowa’s family firms through consulting, peer learning, events and networking opportunities to overcome challenges unique to businesses owned and operated by families: succession planning, next generation development, governance and more. The UNI FBC is looking to expand its programming to include a resource pool, board matching program and family business management courses at UNI.
“Family business is the backbone of Iowa’s economy. It powers most of our state commerce; in particular the small businesses and farms. UNI’s caliber of support is vital to the companies that remain a stable and resilient force in their respective communities. UNI has created an effective, niche resource that is unique compared to other states, and that has positively impacted many family-owned businesses,” said Emily Schmitt, Chief Administrative Officer, Generational Counsel and third-generation family member of Sukup Manufacturing in Sheffield.
To continue providing such programs and services that support Iowa's family-owned businesses, UNI is requesting an additional $400,000 in state appropriations for next fiscal year to enhance UNI's Family Business Center and UNI's Institute for Decision Making.