Building More Than Business

What smart owners know about hiring family

For business owners, few decisions carry the financial weight—or the personal stakes—of hiring family members. The long-term upsides are substantial, and when family values and business vision align, your business can thrive across generations. In this episode of Building More Than Business, host Nerre Shuriah welcomes Senior Wealth Planning Strategist Richard Houston to discuss how to approach family employment. Discover the tax benefits of hiring family members, along with the planning frameworks and succession considerations that support long-term business growth. Resources ● First Citizens Beyond Wealth Reports [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/business-planning/beyond-wealth-report] ● Wealth Planning Guide [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/planning/2026-wealth-planning-guide] ● Trends shaping money and planning [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/planning/2025-wealth-survey-trends]

Post-OBBBA planning opportunities

What do recent tax law changes mean for CEOs and owners of privately-held companies? In this episode of Building More Than Business, co-host Nerre Shuriah and Ben Bowers, CPA at Bennett Thrasher, break down the most impactful provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or OBBBA. You’ll learn how policy changes have created new tax savings opportunities and get ideas for how to put that capital to work for your business. Resources * 9 tax deductions you can claim without itemizing in 2026 [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/tax-planning/tax-deductions-to-consider-this-year] * Top 10 year-end tax planning tips for high earners in 2025 [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/tax-planning/top-year-end-tax-strategies] * OBBBA revives bonus depreciation for real estate investments [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/intel/obbba-revives-bonus-depreciation]

How they did it: Sisters rebuild a family business

What does it take to navigate family business succession with no formal plan? At a recent live event, sisters and co-CEOs of ExpressIt Delivery, Andi Shaughnessy and Danielle Carter, shared how they took over their family-owned business and rebuilt it from survival mode to operate in eight states. This episode reveals a deeper appreciation for the human side of business ownership—from managing growth and building lasting value to navigating family dynamics and planning for succession. Resources: * 7 ways to sell your business [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/business-planning/ways-to-sell-business] * 3 phases of building a successful business exit strategy [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/business-planning/business-exit-strategy] * 2025 wealth survey: Trends shaping money and planning [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/planning/2025-wealth-survey-trends]

Business ownership in 2025: Inside the data

From rising costs to shifting policies, many business owners report feeling economic pressure. Yet amid the uncertainty, many are adapting with confidence—and even investing in growth. In part two of this special miniseries, hosts Ann Lucchesi and Nerre Shuriah unpack key findings from the 2025 Beyond Wealth Report for Business Owners [https://www.firstcitizens.com/content/dam/firstcitizens/pdfs/wealth/insights/beyond-wealth-report-business-owners.pdf]. They explore the forces shaping business ownership in 2025 and how owners are responding—plus how seasoned entrepreneurs and first-time founders differ in their approach. This conversation offers a grounded look at how business owners are navigating change and building resilience—along with practical steps you can take to prepare for the year ahead. Beyond Wealth Resources • 2025 Beyond Wealth Reports [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/business-planning/beyond-wealth-report] • 2025 business owner survey: Confidence amid uncertainty [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/business-planning/2025-business-owner-survey]

Wealthy Americans in 2025: Turning stress into strategy

How are wealthy Americans managing, growing and safeguarding their wealth amid increased uncertainty? In part one of our Beyond Wealth miniseries, Nerre Shuriah, Senior Director of Wealth Planning and Knowledge, sits down with Marc Horgan, Executive Director, to unpack key findings from our 2025 Beyond Wealth Report. Together, they explore how wealthy Americans are balancing financial stress with remarkable resilience—turning pressure into purposeful action by diversifying income sources, refining strategies and adapting to changing conditions. They also discuss how widening retirement gaps, delayed timelines and overlooked estate plans are reshaping financial priorities in 2025 – and offer actionable steps to help you plan for 2026. Whether you’re refining your approach or setting new goals for the year ahead, this episode offers a real-world look at how your peers are adapting—and how you can strengthen your plan for what’s next. Resources: * The 2025 Beyond Wealth Reports [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/business-planning/beyond-wealth-report] * 2025 wealth survey: Trends shaping money and planning [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/planning/2025-wealth-survey-trends] Learn more at firstcitizens.com/building-more [https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/insights/podcasts]