In this latest episode of the Twenty One Clear Podcast, Adam Hatcher joins a Kennesaw State University Family Enterprise Center panel hosted by Stephanie Davis. Adam's fellow panelists were Jacqueline Jensen and Leslie Oubre, both of whom left their family companies mid-career.

Together they answer three questions:

1. Was leaving a gradual or acute process?
2. What was the emotional impact?
3. And what would they do differently or tell someone else going through it?

Links from the Episode

• Please note that when the full webinar recording comes out, it will be here on KSW's YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@familyenterprisecenteratksu?si=KxGEKf77MaETtfK6
• Kennesaw State University Family Enterprise Center: https://www.kennesaw.edu/coles/centers/family-enterprise-center/index.php
• Stephanie Davis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-davis-b467b28
• Jacqueline Jensen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ja-bizcoach
• Leslie Oubre: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslieoubre

21C Links

• Twenty One Clear website: https://www.21clear.com
• Adam Hatcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhatcher
• Subscribe to the Twenty One Clear newsletter: https://21clear.substack.com/

Chapters
(00:00) Introduction
(02:30) Was leaving gradual or acute?
(08:00) Family meetings as the mechanism
(11:30) The emotional impact
(17:00) The steamroller CEO story
(20:30) Jacqueline on identity
(27:00) The three hats framework
(33:00) Leslie on admitting the truth
(37:00) Emily P. Freeman's framework
(41:30) Leslie's step-by-step approach
(45:00) Closing

Bumper Music
Still Hot
by Nic D, Connor Price
(c) Lossless, 2023

Episode Produced By
https://snapmarket.co

In this episode of the Twenty One Clear Podcast, Adam Hatcher welcomes back Melissa Mitchell-Blitch, author of In the Company of Family: How to Thrive When Business is Personal, to explore how flexibility shapes boundaries and decision-making in family businesses.

Together, they unpack the difference between thoughtful exceptions and destructive entitlement, share real-life stories of unintended consequences, and offer practical tools for addressing responsibility among family owners.

With their professional expertise, lived experience, and honest reflections, this episode delivers essential insights for families who want to strengthen both their company and their relationships. Tune in to discover how conversations about rules, consequences, and ownership can chaos-proof your family business.

Links for Melissa
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamitchellblitch
Website: https://melissamitchellblitch.com/
Book: In the Company of Family: How to Thrive When Business is Personal - https://www.amazon.com/Company-Family-Thrive-Business-Personal/dp/0578761459?sr=8-1

21C Links
Twenty One Clear website: www.21clear.com
Adam Hatcher on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/adamhatcher
Subscribe to the Twenty One Clear newsletter: https://21clear.substack.com/

Bumper Music
Still Hot
by Nic D, Connor Price
(c) Lossless, 2023

Episode Produced By
https://snapmarket.co

Chapters
(00:00) Introducing Flexibility in Family Business
(02:45) Understanding When to Bend Rules
(05:31) Considering Consequences of Flexibility
(12:22) Practicing with Low-Stakes Decisions
(18:18) The Dangers of Entitlement
(20:27) Clarifying Responsibility in Family Roles

Join host Adam Hatcher as he welcomes Melissa Mitchell-Blitch, author of In the Company of Family: How to Thrive When Business is Personal, for an exploration of family business dynamics and the essential role of boundaries. Melissa draws on her journey from wealth advisor to family business consultant, revealing hard-earned lessons about the emotional and organizational challenges that come with working alongside loved ones. Discover why boundaries are an essential framework that protects both business ambitions and family relationships. This episode offers practical insight for anyone navigating the unique complexities of running a family company.

Links for Melissa

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamitchellblitch
• Website: https://melissamitchellblitch.com/
• Book: In the Company of Family: How to Thrive When Business is Personal - https://www.amazon.com/Company-Family-Thrive-Business-Personal/dp/0578761459?sr=8-1

21C Links

• Twenty One Clear website: www.21clear.com
• Adam Hatcher on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/adamhatcher
• Subscribe to the Twenty One Clear newsletter: https://21clear.substack.com/

Bumper Music
Still Hot
by Nic D, Connor Price
(c) Lossless, 2023

Episode Produced By
https://snapmarket.co

Chapters
(00:00) Introducing Boundaries in Family Business
(01:47) Melissa’s Journey from Finance to Family Dynamics
(04:48) The Cost of Technical Advice without Family Focus
(06:16) Motivations Driving Family Decisions
(10:12) Learning to Address Family Dynamics Professionally
(12:36) Defining Boundaries and Their Role
(15:11) Practical Examples and The Freedom of Boundaries
(18:32) Boundaries That Are Fair, Firm, and Friendly
(20:28) The Intensely Personal Nature of Family Business Decisions
(21:11) Setting Up the Discussion on Flexibility for Part Two