Smith Family Business Initiative

Read more about how our initiative is educating, connecting, and innovating in the realm of family business.

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The 2024 Families in Business Conference: Making Connections and Learning About Impact

MBA candidate Mike Weaver reflects on his experience at the 2024 Families in Business Conference and with the Smith Family Business Initiative at Cornell.

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Johnson BusinessFeed

Family Business Owners Strategize for Longevity in New Certificate Program

The Cornell Family Business Leadership certificate program guides families through unique ownership and operational challenges.

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Johnson BusinessFeed

Practically Improving the World Through Public Policy and Entrepreneurship

PhD Spotlight: Research by Johnson School PhD candidate Grady Raines reveals hidden hurdles and the role of family in promoting female entrepreneurship.

upper body shot of Andrew Foley standing on a balcony with trees and buildings in the background.
Johnson BusinessFeed

Research at the Crossroads of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Network Theory

PhD Spotlight: Johnson School PhD candidate Andrew Foley talks about his research on family business and entrepreneurship.

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Johnson BusinessFeed

From Cheese to Fashion: Exploring the Family Businesses of Italy

EMBA Americas student Brandon Jernigan recounts his experience in the 2024 Family Businesses in Italy Trek.

Four female students in a classroom.
Johnson BusinessFeed

One Team’s Journey in the 2024 Cornell Case Competition for Family Ownership

Graduate students Rebecca Shao, MPS ’24, Mia Huang, PhD ’25 and Vanessa Wang, MPS ’24, faced challenge and triumph at the Cornell Case Competition for Family Business

One female and two male students dressed in business attire with two older men dressed in zip-up hoodies with the Flickr logo.
Johnson BusinessFeed

B-School Teams Focus on Flickr in Cornell 2024 Case Competition for Family Ownership

Olin Business School team wins the Case Competition for Family Ownership, the only such contest where students interact with a family business.

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SC Johnson College BusinessFeed

Cornell’s 2023 Families in Business Conference Ignites Thought Leadership

Clarence Rivette, MBA ’25, provides an overview and shares personal takeaways about the 9th Annual Families in Business Conference held in Ithaca.

Hailee Greene in one of her fields of hemp.
Johnson BusinessFeed

Seeing a Bright Future for Hemp in New York State

Hailee Greene, MBA ’24, wants to build the first industrial hemp processing facility in the Northeast.