Building a business empire is an incredible feat; however, maintaining it throughout generations is an entirely different challenge. In today’s episode of The Small Business Show, we get an up-close and personal look into one of America’s most iconic family businesses: Anheuser-Busch.
We’re joined by Billy Busch, heir to the Busch Family Brewing & Distilling Company, to discuss his new book, Family Reins: The Extraordinary Rise and Epic Fall of an American Dynasty, which offers an insider’s perspective on the rise of the Busch dynasty, the challenges of maintaining a family business, and the emotional weight of letting it go.
Anheuser-Busch was founded more than 165 years ago and has built an extensive portfolio of beer companies, including Budweiser, Stella Artois, and Bud Light. Its legacy is a testament to innovation, hard work, and resilience.
The legendary company began when Busch’s great-grandfather emigrated from Germany in 1859. He initially worked as a river salesman, selling brewing equipment. After marrying Everhart Anheuser’s daughter, he was given the opportunity to take over the failing E. Everhart Anheuser Brewery. The brewery flourished through relentless effort and innovation and was passed down through six generations of family leadership.
In 2008, the family’s brewery was sold to the Belgian conglomerate InBev for $62 billion. Busch shares the mixed emotions surrounding the sale, emphasizing the financial benefits and mourning the loss of family control over a business that had been a cornerstone of their identity.
Busch shares valuable lessons from his experiences with his family’s business with the audience. Firstly, he urges business owners to create a “black and white” succession plan. An effective succession plan will determine who will control the business in the case of unexpected circumstances such as death, illness, or disability. Getting a head start on succession planning can also prevent costly legal battles and power struggles.
Busch also stresses the importance of ensuring the most capable and well-prepared individual takes the reins. If the next successor isn’t equipped to handle the challenges of running a business, the torch should be passed to someone else. In addition, it’s also crucial that current leaders reflect and recognize when it’s time to step down and let the next generation take the lead.
Busch’s reflections offer valuable lessons for business owners on maintaining a legacy, overcoming challenges, and navigating transitions. His insightful advice and his family’s story underscores the importance of adaptability, innovation, and family unity in sustaining a successful business empire.
"Never let the business become more important than your family. Family should be the most important thing." – Billy Busch
