Join host Adam Hatcher as he welcomes Melissa Mitchell-Blitch, author of In the Company of Family: How to Thrive When Business is Personal, for an exploration of family business dynamics and the essential role of boundaries. Melissa draws on her journey from wealth advisor to family business consultant, revealing hard-earned lessons about the emotional and organizational challenges that come with working alongside loved ones. Discover why boundaries are an essential framework that protects both business ambitions and family relationships. This episode offers practical insight for anyone navigating the unique complexities of running a family company.

Links for Melissa

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamitchellblitch
• Website: https://melissamitchellblitch.com/
• Book: In the Company of Family: How to Thrive When Business is Personal - https://www.amazon.com/Company-Family-Thrive-Business-Personal/dp/0578761459?sr=8-1

21C Links

• Twenty One Clear website: www.21clear.com
• Adam Hatcher on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/adamhatcher
• Subscribe to the Twenty One Clear newsletter: https://21clear.substack.com/

Bumper Music
Still Hot
by Nic D, Connor Price
(c) Lossless, 2023

Episode Produced By
https://snapmarket.co

Chapters
(00:00) Introducing Boundaries in Family Business
(01:47) Melissa’s Journey from Finance to Family Dynamics
(04:48) The Cost of Technical Advice without Family Focus
(06:16) Motivations Driving Family Decisions
(10:12) Learning to Address Family Dynamics Professionally
(12:36) Defining Boundaries and Their Role
(15:11) Practical Examples and The Freedom of Boundaries
(18:32) Boundaries That Are Fair, Firm, and Friendly
(20:28) The Intensely Personal Nature of Family Business Decisions
(21:11) Setting Up the Discussion on Flexibility for Part Two

In this episode, Adam Hatcher reflects on his own journey of joining the family business and the realities that come with stepping into a company run by relatives.

Featuring a conversation with Andrea Carpenter, president of Transition Strategists and host of Your Next Gen Friend podcast, the discussion unpacks firsthand stories about generational expectations, mixing family ties with company roles, and the challenges of growing into leadership.

Listeners will gain honest perspectives on navigating tension, building independence, and chaos-proofing the family business from someone who has lived it. If you’re considering bringing family into your organization—or are part of one already—this episode brings practical insight for every stage of the journey.

Links for Andrea Carpenter

• Website: https://transitionstrategists.com/
• Your Next Gen Friend Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-next-gen-friend-a-successors-guide-to-business/id1821493103
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreashaver
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yournextgenfriend/

21C Links

• Twenty One Clear website: www.21clear.com
• Adam Hatcher on LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/adamhatcher
• Subscribe to the Twenty One Clear newsletter: https://21clear.substack.com/
• Subscribe to the podcast and listen to the previous three episodes that this episode builds upon: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-twenty-one-clear-podcast/id1811403547

Bumper Music
Still Hot
by Nic D, Connor Price
(c) Lossless, 2023

Episode Produced By
https://snapmarket.co

Chapters
(00:00) Reflecting on Joining the Family Business
(02:56) Advice from Other Family Business Leaders
(06:30) Value of Independent Experience
(11:05) Generational Stories and Building on the Past
(15:15) Navigating Authority and Tension in Leadership
(20:00) Mixing Family and Business Dynamics
(27:00) Honest Conversations and Growth Decisions

In this episode of The Twenty One Clear Podcast, Adam Hatcher takes us into Part 2 of Chaos Proofing Your Family Hiring by focusing on the essential and highly practical steps required for chaos-proofing the hiring of family members in a family business.

Drawing on real-world stories and experiences, Adam explores how to set clear hiring criteria, including matching family to actual jobs, and the risks involved in joining the family company.

He also shares practical strategies for onboarding new family employees and highlights the importance of addressing these issues before the next challenge hits.

If you want to grow your company and keep your family strong, this episode delivers experienced guidance you can put to work right away.

21C Links

• Twenty One Clear website - https://21clear.com
• Adam Hatcher on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/adamhatcher
• Subscribe to the Twenty One Clear newsletter - https://21clear.substack.com/

Bumper Music
Still Hot
by Nic D, Connor Price
(c) Lossless, 2023

Episode Produced By
https://snapmarket.co

Chapters
(00:00) Recap of Chaos Proof Hiring Framework
(03:15) Matching Family Members to Actual Jobs
(09:18) Risks of Joining the Family Business
(15:08) Vigorously Onboarding Family Employees
(26:10) Early Preparation and Family Meetings