Category: Wingspan Insights
Before the Check Clears: Setting Terms for Funding Inside the Family
Setting terms when you fund a family member can feel cold, so families often skip it. But terms protect the person who took the money more than anyone else. A...
After the Handoff: Where Does the Entrepreneurial Energy Go?
The instinct that built the business doesn't retire when the founder does. A look at where entrepreneurial energy goes after the handoff, and how families can give it somewhere productive...
Emergency Succession: Who’s in Charge When the Unexpected Happens
If the person in charge could not lead tomorrow, would your family know who takes over the next morning? Maryann Bell on why every business-owning family needs an emergency succession...
Financial Support as a Bridge to Independence
How can families support the next generation without undermining independence? In this article, Patrick Murphy explores how enterprising families are using governance and family constitutions to define financial support as...
What the Numbers Don’t Tell You About Distributions
Distribution decisions are one of the most charged governance questions a family business faces. Hillary Sieber breaks down why having a policy matters more than the specific percentage you land...
Why Job Descriptions Matter in Family Enterprises, And How to Write One
Job descriptions aren't just a corporate formality. For family enterprises, they're the foundation of clear expectations, professional credibility, and long-term harmony. Here's how to get them right.
When Private Capital Has a Conscience: What the La Perla Story Gets Right
Wingspan Partner Maryann Bell examines the story of La Perla, the iconic Italian lingerie brand that collapsed under a succession of short-horizon financial owners before being rescued by an American...
How to Pitch a Family Office
Accessing family office capital requires more than a strong pitch. Wingspan's Hillary Sieber shares ten practical tips to help fundraisers identify the right opportunities, build relationships, and navigate a highly...
The Quiet Erosion: How Consumption Compounds Against Family Wealth
Wealth rarely vanishes in a single generation. More often, it is gradually consumed as families expand and expectations rise. Understanding the compounding effect of consumption is critical for families who...
