Building a Legacy: Succession & the Future of Family Businesses

Sal sits down with Jill Mayer, CEO of Bead Industries, to discuss her journey in leading her family’s manufacturing business. She shares how her transition with her father was smoother than his own, the role of long-term employees in succession planning, and the tight-knit nature of the industry. Jill additionally highlights the importance of setting work-family boundaries, preserving tribal knowledge as older employees retire, and having a strong board of directors. Her father had encouraged her to serve on boards as well, to open doors and reinforce her passion for helping others. Jill also explores the challenges of letting go of a business and how programs like Vistage support leadership growth.