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Family Business is Complex. We’re with You
Every Step of the Way.

We are a full-service advisory firm created to help your family reach new heights. We’re a family for your family business, providing guidance when you don’t know where to turn, counsel when you’re considering a big change, and with you through all phases of your family business journey. We help you sleep at night.

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Years Serving Family Enterprises

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Family Businesses Guided

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Our clients care deeply about their families and the businesses they steward over the generations.

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“You guided us to a strong and healthy cousin partnership in Generation 4, and we emerged as a stronger family unit.”

Brent Kreider, G4 President/Owner, B. R. Kreider & Son, Inc., Manheim

As a parent, are you worried about the pressures the business may put on your children’s relationships and marriages?

Are you worried about the next-generation’s capacity to lead and/or work together?

As a rising gen member, how are you stepping up, earning trust, and demonstrating the skills necessary to contribute to a sustainable future?

As a sibling, do you have concerns about working with and/or making ownership decisions with your siblings? About your options to contribute and to develop?

As a spouse, how might the business be a blessing or curse to your marriage, to other family relationships, and to your children?

Do you have a clear, written Crisis Plan that’s fair for the family and business?

Do you have a Development Plan to prepare the next generation to steward your legacy?

As a non-family employee, are you concerned about leadership gaps, family dynamics, or challenges – named or unnamed – given an eventual generational transition?

How and when should we begin the transition discussions so we’re fair to the kids and the business?

Will the next generation have the capacity to talk, work and own together – and still enjoy Sunday Dinner?

Will my siblings and I have what it takes to make effective decisions together?

How do we develop an effective Management Transition Plan to assure clear roles and the seamless passing of leadership?

Will the next generation have the competencies, commitment and alignment to steward the business forward?

How will the pressures of the business impact our children and family’s relationships and marriages?

Who and how do we decide the next generation’s path into the business? Into ownership?

How do we create a clear decision-making process for our Family? For our Shareholders? For Management? For the Board?

Will the business be a blessing or curse for our marriage ?

Am I – as a rising gen – stepping up, earning trust, and demonstrating the skills necessary to contribute to a sustainable future?

Does our family have a Shared Vision for a long-term, multi-generational enterprise?

Will the next generation thrive in a “business marriage”?

Will the business enhance or destroy family relationships ?

Can our current advisors take us where we want to go? Can they collaborate?

Does our family have a defendable competitive advantage that can be revitalized in succeeding generations?

Will our children be able to handle the wealth we’re creating?

How do we develop an effective Ownership Succession Plan leading to aligned decision-making and high performance?

Is it time to start or to refresh your board with independent directors?

How do we create energizing Development Plans to prepare next generation leaders?

How do we name and address leadership gaps, family dynamics, or challenges ?

How do we honor long-term, high-performing non-family team members as we move through our generational transition?

How and when will my Dad/Uncles let go ? How do we honor them?

How do we integrate high-performing non-family leaders with rising family leaders?

How do we prevent the business from screwing up Thanksgiving Dinner?

How do we assure alignment between employed and non-employed family shareholders?

How will our board of directors elevate our strategy and accountability as we move through generational transitions ?

How can we create space for transition planning while running the business?

Will multiple next generation family leaders be able to align on a Shared Vision? Roles? Accountability?

How can we create a disciplined way to listen to the voice of our customers?

How can we create clear communication channels between the family, the business, and the owners?

Will our next generation family members “choose” each other in a “business marriage”?

Will our family be able to maintain an enterprising family mindset ?

Is our current strategy in alignment with the changing needs of our customers?

Experts in Your Corner

A family business faces unique challenges that no other business faces. Our Advisors understand the inherent complexity of your family business system and how to guide you onto paths of clarity.

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“Just Born continues to move forward, and we now have an independent Board of Directors with five individuals from around the country; a truly independent Board. We are in our 95th year headed to 100 and feel privileged to be one of the few that survive this long. We have you to thank for steering us in the right direction.”

David Shaffer, G2 Board Chair, Bethlehem, PA (Ross Born, G3 CEO, presented several times to our Learning Community), Just Born

“We have been able to confront difficult family issues, implement an acquisition plan, and develop a strong board of directors…”

Tom Twardzik, President, Ateeco, Inc. (Mrs. T’s Pierogies), Shenandoah

“Thank you for all you are doing to help us through this transition period. Your wisdom, knowledge, kindness, and ideas are a great help in this process and journey going forward. We are so glad to have you helping our family move forward as we plan the future. Thanks for your kind words and prayers for our family. You both are fantastic.”

Ken & Kathy Weaver, G1, Weaver Flooring America, Harrisonburg, VA

“Our Family Council has updated our Family Constitution while working with DelVal, strengthened our board, and initiated the ongoing transition from G2 to G3. I’ve benefited greatly from learning about the uniqueness of other local family businesses, while recognizing some more universal truths most family businesses experience over time. DelVal has increased my confidence working in my family’s business, helped me network, and made me a leader who’s better able to meet the challenges that come my way. I would recommend the Delaware Valley Family Business Center to anyone!”

Nellie Forst, G3 Lincoln Investment, Fort Washington, PA

“Since joining the DVFBC, I’ve been able to connect with like-minded peers which has provided me with a lot of support as our business continues to evolve.  It’s comforting to find people who are going through similar experiences and dynamics within their family businesses.  The meetings are always well planned and very engaging.  I know I can always reach out to anyone at DVFBC to help as well if I need something.”

Sarah Coveney, G2 Premier Payroll, Royersford

“DVFBC has been an invaluable resource in helping navigate the challenges of our business while strengthening our family vision, bond and relationships.”

Gary Robins, G1 The G&C Robins Company, Kennett Square, PA

“The exposure to best practices and the real-life accounts of other family businesses at the forums is another asset to our family. I look forward to seeing the next generation benefit from the framework we now have established to guide us through the intersection of business and family.”

Keith Brubacher, G2 President, Brubacher Excavating, Inc., Bowmansville

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