The family business is more than just a source of income. It’s the preservation of family values, shared aspirations, and a lasting legacy. It stands as a testament to the enduring strength of family collaboration and the potential for building generational wealth.
History is filled with success story after success story of family enterprises. Companies that started as small family businesses, such as Johnson & Johnson and Ford Motor Company, grew into international conglomerates, standing the test of time, remaining committed to a family vision, and operating on their core values while being open to adapting as the world and economy continue to evolve. This willingness to adapt while remaining true to the legacy created becomes the foundation of success for family enterprises.
The Need for Diversification
While the family business is typically the nucleus of a family’s financial well-being, it can also present risks. Overreliance on a single asset can be a double-edged sword, especially when market dynamics fluctuate. Therefore, diversification in the family asset portfolio becomes paramount.
Diversifying into other private assets, such as real estate, private equity, and infrastructure, can provide a cushion against market volatility. Take, for instance, the Rockefeller family, whose diversified portfolio has withstood the test of time. By branching out beyond the oil business that initially propelled their wealth, they secured their financial future. Here are some of the other fields they invested in, to mention a few:
Banking and Finance: The Rockefeller family has had a notable presence in the banking and financial sectors. David Rockefeller was an American investment banker who acted as chairman and chief executive of Chase Manhattan Corporation (now JPMorgan Chase), which was a key institution associated with the family’s financial interests.
Real Estate: One of the notable projects in which the Rockefellers have invested in real estate properties and development was the development of the Rockefeller Centre in New York City, a prominent commercial complex.
Philanthropy: The Rockefeller family is also renowned for its philanthropic endeavours. John D. Rockefeller, Sr., established the Rockefeller Foundation in 1913, which has been involved in funding various educational, medical, and social initiatives worldwide.
Success stories such as the Rockefeller serve as a reminder that a well-balanced portfolio can be a game-changer for preserving and growing family wealth.
Categorizing the Enterprise
Managing family wealth involves understanding the nuances of the family itself, along with the intricacies that come with coordinating multiple assets. This complexity is best supported by a strategic management approach, such as integrated wealth management. This approach provides one primary location to coordinate, advise, and manage the various aspects of your wealth, such as the family business, financial assets, real estate, heirloom assets, and deferred assets. Each category requires unique attention, expertise, and care.
Family business demands continuous innovation and nurturing, ensuring it remains robust and adaptive. Financial assets, such as stocks and bonds, require expert financial management to optimize returns. Real estate can serve as both a source of income and additional portfolio value. Heirloom assets, laden with sentimental value, deserve special preservation and insight to protect and transfer. Deferred assets, including trusts and long-term investments, represent the legacy waiting to be passed on.
By categorizing assets in this manner, families can gain clarity and devise tailored strategies for each component. This ensures that each asset is properly preserved and protected, clearly articulated for distribution, and accounted for based on the impacts of the greater family wealth portfolio.
The Role of Family Offices
With the complexity and intricacies that come with a family enterprise, the family office plays a crucial role, particularly when you look at wealth management as a whole. Family offices serve as the compass, steering the ship of family wealth through uncharted waters. These institutions bring professional expertise, specialized knowledge, and a commitment to family values to the table in order to help the family enterprise thrive over multiple generations.
One aspect of the family office that family enterprises benefit from is working with a dedicated private wealth advisor. These individuals help develop and implement diversified strategies that align with your family’s long-term goals, both personal and professional. Whether it’s structuring investments, tax planning, or facilitating intergenerational wealth transfer and successor education, family offices play a pivotal role in safeguarding the family’s financial legacy.
Beacon Family Office at
Assante Financial Management Ltd.
Suite 519, 10333 Southport Road S.W.,
Calgary, AB T2W 3X6
