Most wealth is created through entrepreneurship. When wealth creators think about the legacy they leave to future generations, the most common thing that comes to mind is the wealth itself, which is the product of entrepreneurial activity. But what of the entrepreneurial spirit itself?
Gates, Bezos, Musk and others received support from their families in the early stages of their ventures. Family members who are so inclined can more readily access seed capital to fund their ideas. However, it’s important to bear in mind that decision-making and risk-taking abilities are influenced by the socioeconomic background of the founder.
Some midlife entrepreneurs are forming businesses alongside a younger member of their family or with a co-founder decades younger. This is a wonderful intergenerational bridge and a great way to transmit those values as well as generational wisdom and experience.
Some rising gen family members are carrying forth her family’s legacy in their roles, and adding new dimensions, such as women’s empowerment in entrepreneurship. Another approach is to honour the family’s entrepreneurial legacy while also approaching their industry in a new way.
Of course, this is not for everyone. Just because someone comes from a family of entrepreneurs doesn’t necessarily make them one. Entrepreneurship has several ingredients including appetite for risk, grit and determination, and leadership.
Consider This: Does your family have a cultural memory of the entrepreneurial spirit that created its wealth? How is this expressed? Is entrepreneurship encouraged/developed in the rising generation?
Original articles: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/11/01/considering-generational-wealth-as-a-factor-for-entrepreneurs/, https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernhardschroeder/2021/06/26/advice-and-insights-for-millennial-entrepreneurs–from-a-millennial-entrepreneur/, https://www.forbes.com/sites/nextavenue/2021/01/17/how-to-launch-an-intergenerational-small-business-in-midlife/, https://www.forbes.com/sites/stephanieburns/2020/05/24/how-to-build-a-legacy-for-your-business/#608a408d1380, https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/338538, https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/08/family-businesses-lifeblood-of-the-middle-east/, https://www.smh.com.au/business/small-business/hyatt-heir-says-there-is-no-secret-sauce-when-it-comes-to-succession-planning-20190609-p51w1x.html, https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaredhecht/2019/01/15/how-the-great-recession-killed-the-entrepreneurial-spirit-of-millennials/#5ff01d1811ff, https://www.fastcompany.com/40513553/can-the-wave-of-boomer-entrepreneur-retirements-create-a-surge-of-worker-owned-businesses
Actionable Generational Wealth Succession
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