Family Business, AI, and the Future of Work: Erik Braden on Building Braden Business Systems

In this episode of Risk & Resolve, Ben Conner and Todd Hufford sit down with Erik Braden, Managing Partner of Braden Business Systems, to discuss family business, technology, growth, and leadership. Erik shares his journey from cold-calling his way onto Wall Street to returning home to help grow his family business through acquisitions, innovation, and a people-first culture. From managed print and IT to AI consulting and automation, this conversation explores what it takes to stay ahead of change while building a business that serves clients, employees, and family well.Main Talking PointsErik’s Indiana roots and early ambition to work on Wall StreetCold-calling his way into an internship at Bear StearnsLessons from JP Morgan, private equity, M&A, and board-level leadershipWhy he returned to Indiana and joined the family businessBraden Business Systems’ evolution from fax machines and copiers to full technology solutionsUsing acquisitions to grow and diversify the businessBuilding in downtown Fishers and betting on the city’s futureWorking alongside his father and honoring the family business legacyHow the pandemic reshaped demand for IT, cloud, and remote-work supportWhy Braden is leaning into AI consulting and implementationThe importance of helping companies adopt AI—not just turn tools onHow automation, workflows, and agentic AI will reshape office workErik’s people-first leadership philosophy and “never miss your kid’s game” standardBuilding a culture of energy, optimism, service, and long-term resilience