woman luthier small business owner portrait, in her musical instrument workshop

#FamilyBusiness

A special report with insights from leading advisors and family business owners on how to negotiate current market challenges

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

Food and drinks start-ups can compete with global brands. Here’s how
Food and drinks start-ups can compete with global brands. Here’s how
Entrepreneur Conor Hyde teaches businesses how to conduct gap analysis, market research and properly appraise competitors

Fri, 27 Mar, 2026

Proud female small business owner in front of the store
Access to capital needed to scale family businesses
Almost two in three Irish companies are family run, but Government supports are needed in an increasingly competitive landscape

Fri, 27 Mar, 2026

Business people shaking hands in conference room
‘Selling a business built over generations can trigger concerns about identity and legacy’
Emotions can augment practical challenges when it comes to family business exit options – with real commercial consequences

Thu, 26 Mar, 2026

Expert woman asian female people review data number costing managerial account prepare monthly actual cost variance report incom
With the right succession plan, family businesses can minimise tax exposure
Even modest estates can trigger significant inheritance tax liabilities – but the earlier you plan, the more options you have

Thu, 19 Mar, 2026

Small business owner
Family dynamic is often a key success factor
Natural competitiveness motivates those in family-run businesses to never settle for second best

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Saleswoman Assisting Man in Choosing Decorative Flower Pots
Letting the customers know they are always right
‘As a small family business, one of the biggest things that sets us apart is that we’re not corporate ... we’re just ourselves’

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Open communication, respect and strong governance key to family succession
Open communication, respect and strong governance key to family succession
Ensuring a smooth transition from one generation to the next requires taking certain steps

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Locks Concept. Network Security System. Hexagons
Simple cyber steps can make all the difference
‘The bad actors are always inventing new ways to attack’

Fri, 28 Mar, 2025

Bill analysis and test check, isometric three businessmen standing on a magnifying glass to discuss and analyze billing data
The unintended consequences of pension auto-enrolment and wage increases
As the auto-enrolment pension scheme looms, small firms need ‘a strategic roadmap’ to give owners the security to plan for success

Thu, 27 Mar, 2025

Employees Walking at Solar Power Farm
Navigating reporting challenges and regulations amid growing ESG demands
The reality is that all businesses will be required to decarbonise – think of it in terms of evolution rather than revolution

Thu, 27 Mar, 2025

Ai technology, Artificial Intelligence. Let artificial intelligence help create what you want, Future technology concept.
Digitalisation is no longer an option but a necessity for businesses seeking to thrive
Implementing artificial intelligence a complex process requiring planning and co-ordination across the organisation

Thu, 27 Mar, 2025

Businessmen shaking hands across coffee table in office lobby
Selling is the best option when there’s no one obvious to take the reins
The sale of a family enterprise can be a complex proposition, so planning and advice are key

Wed, 26 Mar, 2025

Supermacs enjoys record year as profits jump to €43.6m
Supermacs enjoys record year as profits jump to €43.6m
Accumulated profits at the end of December last totalled €253m

Wed, 06 Nov, 2024

Capital gains tax: Proposed change 'could create a succession cliff edge for family firms'
Capital gains tax: Proposed change 'could create a succession cliff edge for family firms'
Prior to Budget 2025, the Government is being urged not to apply CGT liability to transfers of family business worth more than €10m

Fri, 23 Aug, 2024

'Funerals have always been part of our family': Meet one of Ireland's youngest embalmers 
'Funerals have always been part of our family': Meet one of Ireland's youngest embalmers 
Having come from a long line of funeral directors and embalmers, Ronan Conneely has always been passionate about the family business — or rather family businesses.

Sun, 07 Jul, 2024

Family Business: Personal touch is key for trading success
Family Business: Personal touch is key for trading success
Family businesses are driven by a ‘small is beautiful’ ethos, as leaders in the sector explain to John Daly

Tue, 02 Apr, 2024

Family Business: An alternative solution to the succession issue
Family Business: An alternative solution to the succession issue
A third of SME owners are aged over 60, many with no obvious successor. Rob Forsyth of Elevate Capital has an alternative plan

Mon, 01 Apr, 2024

A well planned transition is key to sustaining business success
A well planned transition is key to sustaining business success
It takes a solid plan to maintain the long-term health of a business, as company owners and leading advisors explain to John Daly

Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

The Godfather’s business lessons are still good 50 years on
The Godfather’s business lessons are still good 50 years on
Don Vito Corleone's succinct phrases could well merit a module taught in the world’s business schools, advises John Daly

Thu, 28 Mar, 2024

Wisdom shared in passing the baton between generations
Wisdom shared in passing the baton between generations
Sharing wisdom between generations is vital to family business success, as leading hoteliers and industry advisers tell John Daly

Thu, 28 Mar, 2024

Commission is needed to review public spending, says Family Business Network 
Commission is needed to review public spending, says Family Business Network 
John McGrane of the Family Business Network is calling for a new Commission to review the unprecedented rate at which State expenditure has risen over the past decade

Thu, 28 Mar, 2024

Businessman in coffee shop
Family Business: Cybercrime is a major threat to small enterprises
Hacking, phishing, online scams, and other variations of cybercrime are thought to be the most prevalent financial crimes in Ireland, experts warn small business owners

Thu, 28 Mar, 2024

Family Business: Partnership puts company on a solid foundation
Family Business: Partnership puts company on a solid foundation
Even the most single-minded entrepreneur benefits from a second opinion, business owners and professional advisors tell John Daly

Thu, 28 Mar, 2024

Made in European Union. Cardboard boxes with text made in European Union and EU flag on the roller conveyor.
Europe’s family-run businesses at odds over digital future
SMEs as a collective account for 99% of all European enterprises, with the majority family-run, according to the European Parliament

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

They share a love of flowers
Family Business: Leaders think smarter in turbulent times
Sustaining business growth in a challenging marketplace requires a robust, efficient strategy, as leading professional advisers tell John Daly

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Family businesses play a central role in the Irish economy
Family businesses play a central role in the Irish economy
Almost 30% of founder, first generation family businesses grow to second generation, far stronger than non-family startup survival rates

Wed, 27 Mar, 2024

Shaws Launch Christmas Cookbook with Special Olympics Ireland
Department stores Shaws earns €2.5m in profits as revenues grow to €68m
Accounts filed by the family-owned Shaw and Sons Ltd show that revenues increased from €52.8m in the previous year

Thu, 28 Dec, 2023

Family business: Innovating quickly, a real recipe for success
Family business: Innovating quickly, a real recipe for success
The ability to engage with change is vital in business, say the owners of successful family firms Timbertrove and Dualtron

Wed, 05 Apr, 2023

Delivering great service helps sustain a loyal customer base
Delivering great service helps sustain a loyal customer base
Family business: Staying ahead of the customer’s needs is vital for any business, say the managers of Bradys of Castleknock

Tue, 04 Apr, 2023

Family business: An adaptable blueprint for challenging times
Family business: An adaptable blueprint for challenging times
Business owners must update their plans in line with market realities, says  John O’Driscoll of Blueprint Financial Planning

Mon, 03 Apr, 2023

The Family Farm
John Daly: Good communication key to future of family farm business
All parties need to be fully involved in any farm succession plan, as Donal Whelton of AIB explains 

Sun, 02 Apr, 2023

Business casual team working on graphs
Family business: Strategies for current market, long-term exit
Family business owners must regularly stress test their financial and cash flow projections, as well as work towards long-term strategies, say experts 

Sun, 02 Apr, 2023

Family business: Glenilen Farm, dedicated to ‘doing it right’ 
Family business: Glenilen Farm, dedicated to ‘doing it right’ 
Valerie and Alan Kingston of Glenilen Farm say their customers care deeply about the environment. They talk to John Daly

Sun, 02 Apr, 2023

Business people discussion advisor concept
Family business: Your paths to tax-smart business transfer
Business owners need to study the most tax-efficient options for business succession, says Eoin Hassett of ITC 

Sat, 01 Apr, 2023

Family firms have the agility and skills they need to succeed
Family firms have the agility and skills they need to succeed
Irish family businesses are keenly aware of the need to have the in-house skills to sustain success for future generations

Fri, 31 Mar, 2023

Small business
Resilience is driving the success story of Irish family business 
Strategic plans on executive structure, finances and succession are key for any family business, say leading business analysts

Fri, 31 Mar, 2023

Logan Roy’s colourful mantras for family business success
Logan Roy’s colourful mantras for family business success
John Daly looks at the standout one-liners from Logan Roy, the lead character in the TV series ‘Succession’

Thu, 30 Mar, 2023

Family business: Change is a constant for every small firm
Family business: Change is a constant for every small firm
Nothing in business stays the same, as bestselling author Paul Keogh and David O’Kelly of KPMG explain

Thu, 30 Mar, 2023

Paper sheets with written different baby names and wooden letters on yellow background, flat lay
Bernard O'Shea: What's in a name? Getting left behind or taking a lover in Urlingford
Having a baby soon? You might spare a thought for Bernard. Ah, go on...

Mon, 22 Aug, 2022

Close up on shiny purple or violet slime in the hand isolated on blue background. Fun and stress relief concept
Bernard O'Shea: Why slime-making could be precisely the stress reliever you are looking for
An hour with the gooey stuff? It's a prescription for happiness. Like baking without the hassle. 

Thu, 04 Aug, 2022

Vape teenager. Young pretty white girl in casual clothing smoking an electronic cigarette opposite modern background on the stre
Richard Hogan: Vapes aimed at children hide behind 'smoke and mirrors' 
Sweet-flavoured vaping devices are increasingly marketed to teens and pre-teens. As parents, we must protect our children from this risky, addictive fad

Wed, 03 Aug, 2022

Father paying bills with family behind him
Richard Hogan: Financial strain takes emotional toll on families
Parents can often feel obliged to maintain the lifestyle their children have become accustomed to

Thu, 28 Jul, 2022

Homespun business driving Ireland’s economic revival
Homespun business driving Ireland’s economic revival
Ireland's 160,000 family businesses employ 938,000 people, generating around 50% of the nation’s wealth. John Daly talks to industry experts who explain the sector's vital economic role

Sun, 22 May, 2022

Quality key to success in food, says popular takeaway owner
Quality key to success in food, says popular takeaway owner
“Finding staff has been a big problem going back to the start of the pandemic, so I’m very fortunate to have the parents’ advice and experience to lean on," says popular takeaway manager

Sat, 21 May, 2022

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Mick Clifford
Mick Clifford

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