Media
Canada’s Family Enterprise Field: Reflections on Twenty Years
Family Enterprise Canada, April 22, 2021Online
URL: https://familyenterprise.ca/resource/canadas-family-enterprise-field-reflections-on-twenty-years/
This article by Judi Cunningham articulately outlines the family enterprise space in Canada over the past twenty years. Judi was the founding Executive Director of the Business Families Centre at UBC’s Sauder School of Business and the founder of the Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA) program. She is currently a Managing Partner of the Trella Advisory Group.
All in the Family
BCBusiness, September 13, 2013Online
URL: https://www.bcbusiness.ca/all-in-the-family
The article discusses the challenges of succession planning in family businesses, where the departure of a business owner can create significant challenges and conflicts. Many family business owners focus on the future of the business and neglect to adequately address family dynamics, which can become a blind spot in their succession plans.
Judi Cunningham, executive director of the Business Families Centre at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, highlights the tendency for family business owners to prioritize the business's urgent needs over the non-urgent family matters. With baby boomers retiring and seeking advice on passing on their businesses, succession planning has become a critical concern for many family enterprises.
Protecting Your Business Legacy
All About Estates, August 31, 2011Online
URL: https://www.allaboutestates.ca/protecting-your-business-legacy/
The article discusses business succession planning in Canada, focusing on two recent articles in Canadian Capital magazine: "Third Generation Jinx" and "5 Tips to Protect Your Legacy."
The "Third Generation Jinx" article highlights a concerning statistic that 90 out of 100 new Canadian businesses fail to reach the third generation. This failure is often attributed to a lack of preparation and communication within the family. Many business owners prioritize business strategy over family strategy, assuming that family matters will resolve themselves. However, it's crucial to give equal attention to family dynamics and planning.
Entrepreneurship: It's a family affair
The Globe and Mail, April 4, 2011Online
The article discusses the impact of entrepreneurship on family life and highlights the need for proper preparation before starting a business. The case of Laura Drewry, who bought a bookstore without much prior planning, serves as an example of the challenges entrepreneurs and their families may face during the business-building process.
The article emphasizes that entrepreneurship is a family affair, and the commitments required to run and build a business can extend beyond its physical boundaries, affecting family members emotionally, financially, and timewise. The article mentions that many entrepreneurs are unprepared for the changes that come with running a business and often focus on the challenges, leading to family members feeling stressed and disconnected.
Biography
Judi's passion lies in assisting families as they navigate the complexities of managing wealth, running businesses, and fostering deeper connections and long-term resilience. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to empowering wealthy families and business owners to not only survive but thrive. Taking a comprehensive approach to understanding their needs, Judi excels at facilitating alignment and effective decision-making through strategic thinking and adept facilitation.
Her unwavering commitment to this cause led her to establish Trella Advisory Group, a specialized consulting firm that offers interdisciplinary guidance to business families. With a Master's degree in Family Systems Counselling and over 25 years of experience consulting with intricate enterprising families, family offices, and professional advisors, Judi is known for her creativity and profound insights.
Judi's influence extends beyond her consulting work. In 2001, she played a key role in launching the Business Families Center at the University of British Columbia. Subsequently, in 2007, she founded and introduced the Family Enterprise Advisor (FEA) program and designation. Continuing to share her knowledge extensively, Judi is actively involved in teaching both families and advisors.
Her expertise also encompasses being a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA). She holds positions on the Advisory Board for the Family Business Institute at Toronto Metropolitan University and as the Chair of the Advisory Board for the Purposeful Planning Institute (PPI) in Denver.