Building More Than Business

What do recent tax law changes mean for CEOs and owners of privately-held companies? In this episode of Building More Than Business, co-host Nerre Shuriah and Ben Bowers, CPA at Bennett Thrasher, break down the most impactful provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or OBBBA. You’ll learn how policy changes have created new tax savings opportunities and get ideas for how to put that capital to work for your business.Resources9 tax deductions you can claim without itemizing in 2026Top 10 year-end tax planning tips for high earners in 2025 OBBBA revives bonus depreciation for real estate investments

What does it take to navigate family business succession with no formal plan? At a recent live event, sisters and co-CEOs of ExpressIt Delivery, Andi Shaughnessy and Danielle Carter, shared how they took over their family-owned business and rebuilt it from survival mode to operate in eight states.This episode reveals a deeper appreciation for the human side of business ownership—from managing growth and building lasting value to navigating family dynamics and planning for succession.Resources:7 ways to sell your business3 phases of building a successful business exit strategy2025 wealth survey: Trends shaping money and planning

From rising costs to shifting policies, many business owners report feeling economic pressure. Yet amid the uncertainty, many are adapting with confidence—and even investing in growth.In part two of this special miniseries, hosts Ann Lucchesi and Nerre Shuriah unpack key findings from the 2025 Beyond Wealth Report for Business Owners. They explore the forces shaping business ownership in 2025 and how owners are responding—plus how seasoned entrepreneurs and first-time founders differ in their approach.This conversation offers a grounded look at how business owners are navigating change and building resilience—along with practical steps you can take to prepare for the year ahead.Beyond Wealth Resources• 2025 Beyond Wealth Reports• 2025 business owner survey: Confidence amid uncertainty

How are wealthy Americans managing, growing and safeguarding their wealth amid increased uncertainty? In part one of our Beyond Wealth miniseries, Nerre Shuriah, Senior Director of Wealth Planning and Knowledge, sits down with Marc Horgan, Executive Director, to unpack key findings from our 2025 Beyond Wealth Report.Together, they explore how wealthy Americans are balancing financial stress with remarkable resilience—turning pressure into purposeful action by diversifying income sources, refining strategies and adapting to changing conditions. They also discuss how widening retirement gaps, delayed timelines and overlooked estate plans are reshaping financial priorities in 2025 – and offer actionable steps to help you plan for 2026.Whether you’re refining your approach or setting new goals for the year ahead, this episode offers a real-world look at how your peers are adapting—and how you can strengthen your plan for what’s next.Resources: The 2025 Beyond Wealth Reports2025 wealth survey: Trends shaping money and planningLearn more at firstcitizens.com/building-more

Donor advised funds, or DAFs, and private foundations offer distinct pathways for strategic charitable giving, each with unique advantages for tax optimization and charitable efforts. In this episode of Building More Than Business, philanthropic strategist George Burnette joins Ann and Nerre to compare these two vehicles—from minimum contribution requirements and tax deduction limits to administrative complexity and family governance options.George, Ann and Nerre offer actionable insights on choosing the right structure, selecting optimal assets to contribute, and timing contributions for maximum impact for business owners who are planning liquidity events or seeking to maximize year-end charitable gifts before 2026 tax changes take effect.Resources5 ways to enhance your charitable giving strategy in 2025How do donor advised funds work?How the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will impact nonprofitsCase study: Charitable contributions—cash or shares? (PDF)Learn more at firstcitizens.com/building-more.

The qualified small business stock (QSBS) exclusion just got a major upgrade —unlocking even greater tax benefits for eligible shareholders.In this episode of Building More Than Business, our hosts sit down with tax attorney Christopher Karachale to break down what’s changed under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and what it means for founders, early employees and investors. They explore key updates to the QSBS rules, including a new $15M gain exclusion cap and tiered holding periods.You’ll also hear how planning strategies like trust stacking, LLC-to-C-corp conversions and Section 1045 rollovers work in practice—and what steps you should take now to properly document eligibility and avoid costly missteps. Whether you're planning an exit or just launching your business, this episode is packed with insights to help you make the most of the QSBS tax benefit.QSBS Resources:New tax law expands QSBS and the capital gains exemptionMaximize your QSBS exemption: Trust stacking, packing and rolloversConverting an LLC to a C corp: A QSBS tax exemption guideLearn more at firstcitizens.com/building-more

Family succession meetings are an opportunity to listen and build trust—helping to preserve relationships during and after a transition. In this episode of Building More Than Business, our hosts talk with Senior Wealth Planning Strategist April Zee about how structured, thoughtful meetings can turn emotional conversations into productive planning. You’ll learn how to build trust and avoid the missteps that often derail progress.Family meeting resourcesCheck out resources from this episode to help guide your family's succession discussion.Family meeting overviewFamily meeting kickstartLearn more at firstcitizens.com/building-more.

In Episode 2 of Building More Than Business, hosts Ann Lucchesi and Nerre Shuriah explore why many business owners delay one of the most critical financial decisions of their lives. They unpack the emotional and operational reasons behind the hesitation, examine the risks of waiting too long—including missed tax opportunities—and share what a truly successful exit strategy looks like, both on paper and in practice.Learn more at firstcitizens.com/building-more.

In the inaugural episode of Building More Than Business, hosts Ann Lucchesi and Nerre Shuriah explore a common challenge for owners—when personal wealth is tied too closely to the business. They explain how intertwined wealth can limit your financial flexibility and your exit options, and they share actionable takeaways for avoiding the risks. Two first steps? Separate personal and business finances from the start and use an informal valuation to support early decision making.Learn more at firstcitizens.com/building-more.

Discover Building More Than Business—a podcast series of essential conversations exploring the connection between the company you've built and the life you want to lead. Learn more at firstcitizens.com/building-more.