What happens when a family business faces a turning point no one saw coming? In this episode of Family Business Breakthroughs, host Jim Berner sits down with Gary Flynn, CEO and co-owner of M. Dumas & Sons—an iconic Charleston retailer with roots dating back to 1917.

When third-generation owner David Dumas developed a degenerative eye disease that left him blind, he was faced with a heart-wrenching decision: close the doors on his grandfather’s store or trust someone outside the family to carry the legacy forward. Enter Gary Flynn, whose experience at Nordstrom, Hugo Boss, and beyond prepared him to step into a family business with a last name that wasn’t his own.

Together, David and Gary forged a partnership built on trust, curiosity, and a relentless focus on customers. In this episode, Gary shares how he honored tradition while helping the business evolve, scaled operations beyond a single storefront, and stayed true to the family’s vision through every challenge.

Listeners will gain timeless lessons on:

• Building trust when leadership extends beyond bloodlines
• Balancing legacy with innovation
• The power of listening, learning, and staying curious

If you’ve ever wondered how to protect and grow a family legacy when circumstances force change, this conversation is filled with insights you won’t want to miss.

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Are you a family business owner? Improve your business TODAY with our time tested and tailored solutions:

Visit our website to get started at www.AskMeridian.com

or call us at 817-594-0546

Succession can make or break a family business. When done well, it builds trust, preserves relationships, and strengthens the company for generations. When mishandled, it can fracture families and sink businesses.

In this episode, cohosts Jim Berner and Sheila Janan talk with Betsi Bixby about a real family business that almost lost everything by trusting the wrong partner.

You’ll hear how a father, who doubted his children’s abilities to run the company, handed power to an outside executive who secretly undermined the family and fostered a culture of fear and distrust.

Betsi shares how Meridian helped uncover the truth, rebuild trust, clarify leadership roles, and transform the company culture, saving both the family and the business.

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Are you a family business owner? Improve your business TODAY with our time tested and tailored solutions:

Visit our website to get started at www.AskMeridian.com

or call us at 817-594-0546

Many family businesses grow, expand, and build wealth — but behind the scenes, debt quietly piles up. For some, it becomes a way of life. But it doesn’t have to.

In this episode, cohosts Jim Berner and Sheila Janan talk with Betsi Bixby, who shares real-life stories of family businesses that believed debt was just part of doing business until they realized it was holding them back.

You’ll hear how owners overcame millions in debt, identified where their cash was tied up, and started building real financial freedom.

Betsi explains the three biggest culprits that drain cash, the mindset shifts that lead to lasting change, and the emotional relief of running a business free of crushing debt for owners, employees, and future generations.

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Are you a family business owner? Improve your business TODAY with our time tested and tailored solutions:

Visit our website to get started at www.AskMeridian.com

or call us at 817-594-0546