There's something truly special about connecting with people who understand the unique joys and challenges of running a family business. From meaningful conversations to the comfort of knowing you're not alone, being part of a supportive community makes all the difference.
Family businesses represent over 70% of all Australian businesses, forming the backbone of our economy. As the peak body for family businesses in Australia, we are dedicated to advocating for your success and providing tailored education, events and programs designed specifically for the family business experience.
In ths video, members of Family Business Association (FBA) community share their stories, why they joined, what they have learned and how being part of a community that truly understands has supported their growth and longevity.
Watch now to see how FBA empowers family businesses across Australia to thrive together.
Video Transcript
Stuart Gerring: Once I went to that first event I was hooked. I kind of just wanted more of that FBA time. It just kind of gave me a support network overnight that I didn't know I needed but found it and I'm thankful for it.
Bronte McLean: The community here is so open and warm and loving. It's so nice.
Rose Portella: FBA fell on our doorstep. I got a phone call and they came knocking and they couldn't have come at a better time. I got a formal introduction on the phone and said we'd like to come down and I said well yeah this is really good. Like I was looking for something and when it got all explained to me and then I was invited to a networking event and started mixing with people and I went wow this is a whole new world. There's other people like us out there. This is great. They're not the only ones and it opened my eyes.
Lynda Schenk: Just having someone that can just call and they understand how you feel because they've been through that experience themselves.
Rose Portella: There were lots of other families at FBA that had been through the highs and lows and come out at the other end through governance so it was something that I was determined to implement in our family.
Stuart Gerring: Everyone understanding that we're all under the same pressures and all having the same issues. There's always someone in the room that can, you know, you might not intend to pick up something from that conversation but there's always something you take away from it. There's always something in it. It's the magic, you know. I think that's part of why it works so well.
Rose Portella: It put us on track. We now have a governance agreement, we have a board, we have rules, we have several different policies on investments and education and lots of other things and it's actually created quite a harmonious family environment to work in.
Renee Jacobsen: Some of the events that they've put on have been really worthwhile. We both attended one. talking about succession and that was just again like great to hear shared experiences from other businesses you can sort of see similarities you can see differences you can relate to some of them and it can create kind of sparks of things that maybe you want to think about more and implement more.
Chiara Postregna: Even just going to any of the events everyone's so open you barely even know the person and you're already in deep conversation with them about how the business is going and their family and everything it's really interesting.
Bronte McLean: and I could just talk to people and they just got what I was saying and just meeting a whole community of people who were like exactly yes you've got it that's right people could just give me from completely different industries just advice for me as a growing leader in my business
Adrian Fiore: I'm always trying to be learning and learn from other people different industries and see where some of those industries and challenges they've had and a couple of wins they've had how to integrate into our industry
Lynda Schenk: I've been able to build a great network around me, but not only for me but for my son as well, which is really lovely for him to actually meet some second, third and fourth generation children of family businesses.
Renee Jacobsen: I would encourage anyone to just lean in really. Generally when you put yourself out there then you're going to get far greater results from it. I just think what have you got to lose really?
Rose Portella: Being able to go to events and connect with families that are running businesses faced with the same issues that you're faced with is really, really important. And I think get in, go to events, mingle with people because you'll soon realise how important those professional development sessions and the courses that FBA offer are to your business.
Lynda Schenk: It’s just a really nice community and I really love the camaraderie between everybody.
