Governance |Continuity| Values

Overview

Stewardship Masters International has developed a multi-tier, education-first pathway designed to support family-owned businesses through awareness, education, and informed decision-making.​

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The Pathway is intentionally structured to be:

•  Educational rather than promotional

•  Inclusive of bilingual audiences

•  Appropriate for institutional and community partners

•  Repeatable throughout the year.

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Purpose

Family-owned businesses; especially foreign language immigrants  and multigenerational communities, often lack trusted institutional role models that help them think beyond income toward governance, continuity, and legacy
 

This three-tier pathway is designed to:

•  Warm underserved family business owners from awareness → understanding → action

•  Provide education and perspective, not financial management

•  Engage respected institutions as anchors of credibility and to inspire continuity

•  Inspire next-generation participation without pressure or product-selling.

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TIER 1: INTRODUCTORY FAMILY BUSINESS FORUM

Awareness & Trust Building
 

Format:

In-person educational forum with moderated panel discussion.
 

Objective:

To introduce family business owners to the idea that:

• Strong businesses require structure, governance, and clarity

• Legacy is built intentionally, not accidentally

• Institutions can serve as guides and role models, not controllers.
   

Institutional Role:

Participating institutions are positioned as:

• Community partners

• Legacy-minded organizations

•  Long-term supporters of family enterprise education.
   

No sales. No solicitation.
 

Just credibility, visibility, and leadership presence.
 

TIER 2: VIRTUAL FAMILY BUSINESS MASTERCLASS SERIES

Education & Engagement
 

Format:

Free virtual sessions featuring:

• First-generation founder sharing communication and relationship experiences

• Second-generation family members sharing communication and relationship experiences

• Subject-matter advisors across governance pillars.
   

Each session focuses on one core theme:

• Family governance & decision-making

• Intergenerational communication

• Operational structure & efficiency

•  Ownership, preservation, and continuity.
   

Objective:

To:

• Normalize family business challenges

• Provide a common language families can use at home

• Encourage cross-generation dialogue

• Reinforce that institutions support learning, not control outcomes.

 

Institutional Role:

Institutions are invited to:

• Offer brief educational introductions

• Share mission alignment

• Be visible as trusted community stewards.

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TIER 3: GOVERNANCE ENRICHMENT OPTIONS
 

Action & Support
 

At the conclusion of the masterclass series, families are invited to choose their next step:
 

Option A: Customized Governance Advisory
 

For families ready to:

• Formalize structures

• Clarify roles

• Prepare for transition.

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This is educational and advisory, not fiduciary.

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Option B: Family Business Cohort Community
 

For families not yet ready for individualized work:

• Ongoing group learning

• Peer support

• Continued institutional exposure

• Sustained nurturing without pressure.

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Objective:

To meet families where they are — respectfully, patiently, and responsibly.

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