Family Business Resources
Family-owned businesses face unique challenges and opportunities as they plan, grow, and work across generations. This page offers a simple collection of trusted resources that can help owners, successors, non-family executives, and advisors find reliable information when they need it. The Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center will continue to add new materials as additional resources become available.
Featured Resources
These organizations offer research, articles, tools, and insights for family-owned businesses.
A national resource with expert articles, case studies, and research focused on leadership, strategy, and communication in family-owned companies.
A leading publication that highlights best practices, family governance, succession stories, and interviews with family business leaders..
A national advocacy and education organization that provides reports, surveys, and policy updates impacting family-owned companies across the United States.
The SBA provides guides, tools, and data that support small and family-owned businesses, including financing options, compliance information, and market research.
Key Reports and Fact Sheets
These reports provide helpful data and trends that impact family-owned companies.
The Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center will add more documents as new research is
released.
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A national overview of the role family-owned firms play in the U.S. economy,
A quarterly analysis prepared by the 糖心视频 Center for Economic Development and Talk Business & Politics that tracks economic conditions across key regions of the state of Arkansas. The report includes data on workforce, business growth, consumer activity, and market trends that can help family-owned businesses understand local and regional economic shifts.
Recommended Reading
These books and publications offer practical guidance for families who lead, manage, or work in family-owned enterprises. These books are available for members through the Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center Library or can be purchased through the provided links.
- by Tom Deans
A short, direct book that helps families think clearly about ownership transitions and long-term planning. - by Stephen R. Covey
Practical tools for improving communication and teamwork across generations.
Research-driven articles on leadership, governance, and strategy in family enterprises.- by Baron & Lachenauer
A helpful guide for understanding family enterprise systems, decision-making, and governance. - by Stephanie Stuckey
A memoir of reviving her family鈥檚 iconic brand while rediscovering purpose and resilience. - by Tom Deans, Ph.D.
A framework for open communication about inheritance and legacy. - by Larry Hause & Cary J. Tutelman
A governance guide aligning owners, management, and boards. - by Michael Klein, PsyD
Explores emotional tensions in family business careers. - by Gino Wickman
A simple operating system for running a business with discipline. - by George A. Isaac
A guide to succession, governance, and continuity. - by Joel Manby
Shows how leading with love improves culture and performance. - by Poza & Daugherty
A comprehensive textbook on family enterprise strategy and dynamics. - by Gersick, Davis, Hampton & Lansberg
Introduces the Three-Circle Model of family business. - by Larry Hollar
A guide to preventing conflict in family firms. - by Rouvinez & Ward
Explores critical governance and transition issues.
- by John L. Ward
Ward鈥檚 classic framework for long-term continuity. - by Quentin Fleming
Prevents emotional spillover from harming the business. - by Carlock & Ward
Aligns family and business strategy. - by Cathy Carroll
A candid look at emotional family-business dynamics. - by Chris Yonker, CFBA
Aligns inner purpose with business leadership. - by Carlock & Ward
Explores what makes top-performing family firms. - by Ward, Pendergast & Brun de Pontet
A guide to creating effective boards. - by Kate Toberman
A planning guide for the next five years. - by Grant Gordon & Nigel Nicholson
Real stories of destructive family conflict. - by John Seabrook
A narrative about the Seabrook family food empire. - by Baumoel & Tripp
A framework for resolving family business conflict. - by Liz Tedone
A blueprint for continuity and communication. - by Sara B. Stern
Support for spouses navigating business and marriage. - by Melissa Mitchell-Blitch
A relational guide for healthier decision-making. - by Ruschelle Khanna, LCSW
Explores generational trauma鈥檚 impact on wealth. - by Christopher Snider
A value-growth roadmap for owners. - by Justin Goodbread
Exit planning expert on why over 80% of businesses never sell
Professional and Government Resources
These organizations offer guidance on compliance, planning, financing, and day-to-day business operations.
Resources for business planning, funding, compliance, and management.
Advising, training, and market research support for Arkansas businesses.
Tax guidance, forms, and tools for small business owners.
Information on business registration, renewals, and filings in Arkansas.
Policy updates, educational materials, and tools for businesses nationwide
Other Centers like the Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center
Not located near the JWFEC or perhaps you鈥檙e in another state and want to find a similar family enterprise center?
The Family Business Alliance was formed in 2003 to bring together directors of university-based family business programs. The Smith Family Business Initiative at Cornell University keeps a list of other centers.
Questions? Contact Us.
Justin Smith
- Director
- Justin.SmithFREEuafs
- The Bakery District - 70 S. 7th Street, Suite D
The Jim Walcott Family Enterprise Center supports family-owned business leaders at every stage of their journey. If you would like help finding the right resource or learning more about programs and membership, our team is here to help.