Can Your Family Talk Honestly About the Future of the Business?

Succession doesn’t start with documents.
It starts with conversations.

The Every Family’s Business Blueprint, developed by Dr. Tom Deans, offers 12 thoughtful, structured questions designed to help family business owners:

✅ Protect their wealth
✅ Preserve their family relationships
✅ Clarify succession expectations
✅ Understand if the next generation is ready—or even interested

This isn’t a legal document—it’s a conversation tool used by leading CEPA advisors to prevent conflict, unlock clarity, and strengthen trust between generations.

What You’ll Discover:

These 12 questions explore:

• Ownership intentions (buy/sell/exit)
  
• Fair compensation and expectations
  
• Preparedness for unsolicited offers
  
• Alignment of estate planning and succession
  
• Whether to sell, gift, or transition the business—and how to decide together
  
  

All answers are captured in one simple document—a family business blueprint you can revisit every year.

Who It’s For:

This blueprint is perfect for:

• Business-owning families with children in (or outside of) the business
  
• Founders nearing retirement or exploring transition
  
• Next-generation leaders unsure of their future role
  
• CEPA advisors supporting succession, estate, and exit planning
  
  

Why It Matters:

Most family businesses don’t fail because of market conditions—they fail because no one talked about what comes next.

This blueprint helps you begin that conversation before conflict, confusion, or crisis.