New Program Brings Family Firms Into The Fold

Entrepreneur, August, 2001 by Cynthia E. Griffin

THE FAMILY BUSINESS PROGRAM, RUN BY the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, has expanded its operations to a second Southern California location, offering classes and business services at the school's Irvine campus.

The membership program bills it-self as a "one-stop Shop" open to family-owned firms. It's designed to help owners better run their companies and eliminate the isolation too many of these entrepreneurs feel. The program offers networking, mentoring and training in topics ranging from marketing to succession planning.

A $4,000 per-company fee includes a one-year membership to the program, unlimited access to its services and admission to any of the half-day educational seminars held the first week of each month from September to May.