Finding Your Business Community & Why Belonging Matters in Family Business

In business, strategy matters. But so does belonging.

Family enterprises operate in a different ecosystem. The decisions we make aren’t just commercial - they are emotional, generational and relational. That’s why finding the right business community isn’t optional, it’s essential.

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the Family Business Association Asia Pacific Conference, a gathering that not only re-energised my commitment to this sector, but reminded me of the power of community. One of the most moving parts of the experience was witnessing new members light up as they connected with others and they finally “got it”, the complexities of navigating both family and business, the challenge of balancing legacy with progress, and the deep emotional labour that comes with generational stewardship.

It reinforced for me why I’ve always valued Family Business Association (FBA). FBA is more than a professional network, it’s a trusted community where relationships are the currency, and mutual understanding is the foundation. The conversations are richer, more vulnerable and infinitely more practical when you don’t need to explain the basics.

Three key lessons from the conference encapsulated this for me:

• Bruce Keebaugh from The Big Group said, “If we don’t protect our relationships, we leave nothing.” In family business, relationships aren’t a by-product, they are the business. Community offers both a mirror and a buffer, helping us see where our relationships need tending, and reminding us we’re not in this alone.

• Professor Megan Gerhardt challenged us to “Be curious, not judgemental.” That mindset is foundational in any healthy business community. Curiosity creates space for learning across generations, industries and even values. FBA fosters that openness through conversation that’s brave, not just polite.

• Lieutenant General General Natasha Fox reminded us that “To get where you want to be, you need people around you who believe in you more than you believe in yourself.” That belief is what strong communities offer. In FBA, I’ve seen that kind of belief give people the confidence to step forward, take risks and lead with purpose.

For me, Family Business Association is a constant source of connection and perspective. It reminds me that we are not alone in this unique sector. That the challenges I face in being part of a family business, working with family enterprises, mentoring women and rising generations, and shaping intergenerational outcomes, are shared and that others are equally invested.

Belonging to a peer group where trust is high, where language is shared, and where legacy is honoured while still moving forward, has been one of the most powerful assets in my professional life.

So if you're navigating the world of family business, whether as an owner, advisor, or rising-gen leader...find your community. The right one will expand your perspective, sharpen your skills and remind you that business is never just business. It’s about people.

And when those people believe in you more than you believe in yourself - everything changes.

Family Business Association Excellence Awards Gala (Photo: Shon Productions)