When we think about family businesses, it’s easy to focus on the practical aspects—financials, operations, team dynamics, and growth strategies. However, there’s a deeper, often unseen layer that plays a significant role in how a business functions: the energetic web that connects family members, past and present, to the business itself.
This web is not just a metaphorical concept—it’s a real, energetic force that shapes how we behave, how we work, and how we interact with one another within the business. And, when we begin to understand and heal these energetic patterns, the resulting transformation is often nothing short of magical!
The Energy of Family and Business: A Web of Connection
Every family and every business, at its core, operates through an energetic web of connection. Think of it as a network of lines that link individuals within the family, but also the family to the business, and even to ancestors who came before us. These lines stretch backward through time, connecting us to our ancestors’ experiences, and forward, extending into the legacy we are building for future generations.
When I feel into the energetic configuration of a family or a family business, I see this as an energetic web. Just like a spider’s web, this network of connections links each person to others in subtle but profound ways. The way that web is configured—how tight or tangled the connections are—can vary. Some of these connections are strong and healthy, while others may be tangled, broken, or filled with unresolved energy. But one thing is certain: we are all connected, whether we realize it or not.
The relationships, decisions, and patterns of behavior within a family business often mirror the energetic imprints left by generations before us. And just as physical healing can ripple through our bodies, so too can energetic healing ripple through time—affecting not just us, but our ancestors and descendants.
In the context of a family business, this web is especially powerful. You have the energetic web of your family, and then there’s the energetic web of your business. These two webs can overlap, merge, or stay separate depending on your family’s dynamics and how your business operates. And what’s fascinating is that these connections are not just in the present moment. They stretch both backward in time, linking you to your ancestors, and forward, influencing the future generations that will carry the torch.
Ancestral Healing: Changing the Past and Shaping the Future
A key concept in ancestral healing is that by healing ourselves, we can shift the energetic patterns that have been passed down through generations. This isn’t a new idea—many indigenous traditions, such as Native American teachings, speak of healing for “seven generations back and seven generations forward.” While I haven’t experienced it in such specific terms, I’ve seen time and again how working with the energetic threads that run through our family and business can initiate profound change.
When we heal a wound in the present, it can have a far-reaching impact on both the past and future. For example, when I started working with the energy of my own family’s business, I began to uncover patterns that went far beyond my own personal experiences. One of the most powerful lessons I learned was that my grandfather, who took over the family business after the tragic death of his brother, carried deep emotional trauma. His way of coping was to throw himself entirely into the business—work became a way of proving his worth, of filling the void left by that tragic loss. This led to a pattern of overwork, stress, and neglect of personal relationships that, unknowingly, carried over to my own approach to business.
By becoming aware of these ancestral patterns and healing the energetic charge associated with them, I was able to shift how I worked and interacted with the business. And the changes didn’t stop with me. As I healed, I noticed my siblings’ approaches to the business began to shift as well. The energy started to lighten, and the patterns of sacrifice, overwork, and emotional detachment started to dissolve. Healing that energetic imprint didn’t require a single conversation with my grandfather, but the shifts were real and felt in the fabric of our family business.
Recognizing Patterns: The First Step in Energetic Healing
If you’re involved in a family business, you might be wondering, “Where do I start? How do I begin to notice these energetic patterns?” The first step is simply to get curious. Start by noticing the patterns that repeat within your family dynamic and business operations. These patterns can manifest in many ways, from how decisions are made to how money is handled, to the expectations placed on family members. Begin by asking yourself:
What are the repeating patterns in our family’s history?
Do we have a tendency to overwork, sacrifice, or avoid difficult conversations?
Are there specific fears or beliefs around money, success, or failure that feel familiar?
It’s important to approach this with non-judgmental curiosity. Just as you would clean out a cluttered drawer, start to sift through the patterns and behaviors. Which ones do you want to keep? Which ones feel outdated or misaligned with the direction you want to take your business?
For example, maybe there’s a legacy of hard work and dedication to the craft that you want to honor and carry forward. But there may also be patterns of overwork or a fear of failure that no longer serve the family or business. Start noticing where these patterns show up, without judging them as "good" or "bad." Instead, ask yourself: Which parts of this energetic legacy do I want to continue, and which do I need to release?
The Power of Healing in First-Generation Family Businesses
It’s also important to recognize that this work isn’t just for those inheriting a family business—it’s equally valuable for first-generation business owners. If you’ve started a business from scratch, you may feel that ancestral patterns don’t apply to you. However, your family’s lineage around money, work, and resources is still influencing the way you approach business. Understanding your personal history and family dynamics can be just as powerful in healing and shifting the energy in your business.
Start by reflecting on how your family’s attitudes toward money and work have shaped your own business philosophy. Are there patterns of scarcity or abundance? Do you carry the belief that success requires sacrifice? Begin to explore these questions and start consciously shifting your energy.
Moving Forward: Healing and Dreaming Beyond Limits
As you engage in this work, I want to encourage you not only to heal but also to dream. Dream about what your family business could look like without the constraints of old patterns. What kind of legacy do you want to build for the next generation? This isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about creating the space to dream bigger and go beyond what you thought was possible.
Your family business is not just a set of processes or financial statements. It is a living, breathing entity, shaped by the energy of those who came before you and those who will follow. When you align the energy of your family, your business, and your ancestors, incredible shifts can happen—both in your business and in your family dynamics.
So, if you’re feeling inspired, take the first step today. Start noticing the patterns in your family business, get curious about the energetic web that ties you all together, and begin healing the energies that no longer serve you. You have the power to shape not just the future of your business, but the legacy of your entire family.
Let’s heal together.
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