Passing the Torch: Small Business as a Pathway to Generational Wealth

- By Jane Veron

As CEO of TAP, I’ve been reflecting on how families are rethinking the future of work. A recent article from Inc.com explores a growing trend: more young adults are choosing to join their family business. In a tough job market, many are discovering that working alongside a parent is not a fallback. It is a purposeful path that offers meaning, connection, and a chance to build something lasting.

At TAP, we see this every day. Many of the entrepreneurs we support are not just building businesses. They are building legacies. They involve their children in daily operations, share values through their work, and plan for the future of their companies as a source of strength for the next generation.

How Donor Support Creates Opportunity for Under-resourced Entrepreneurs

At TAP, every contribution helps unlock potential. Our donor-funded consulting enables small business owners in under-resourced communities to access expert guidance that is often out of reach. With tailored support, these entrepreneurs build stronger businesses, create jobs, and spark lasting change in their communities. For many, the impact goes beyond business. It reaches into their homes and into the future of their families.

Providing Access to Expertise and Resources

Shelly Flash, founder of 2 Girls and a Cookshop, launched her Jamaican street food pop-up alongside her teenage daughter Jataun. A single parent and first-generation Jamaican American, Shelly started the business in their kitchen to generate stable income while sharing her culture through food. What began as a creative way to make ends meet became a vehicle for empowerment and legacy.

With guidance from TAP consultants, Shelly strengthened her operations, expanded her offerings, and built confidence to grow. Her daughter remains actively involved, learning the values of hard work, entrepreneurship, and cultural pride. Their journey reflects the shift described in the Inc. article, where young adults see family businesses not as a compromise, but as a meaningful career and life choice.

Watch Shelly share her story in her own words in this video.

Breaking Down Barriers

Small business owners often face significant challenges. Many lack access to affordable consulting, financial tools, or clear strategies for growth. TAP bridges this gap by providing high-quality support at little or no cost, thanks to our generous donors. We help entrepreneurs stabilize their operations, make informed decisions, and prepare for long-term success.

For families like Shelly and Jataun, this work creates far more than revenue. It builds confidence. It transfers skills across generations. It opens doors for young people to envision themselves not just as helpers but as future owners and leaders.

Driving Community Impact

When businesses grow, entire communities benefit. Owners hire local employees, build partnerships with nearby vendors, and serve as role models for resilience and possibility. TAP's impact extends well beyond individual entrepreneurs. We see ripples of success that lift families and strengthen Main Street.

We also value partnerships with organizations dedicated to advancing the rights and opportunities of generational wealth and succession planning. These collaborations help us expand access and build ecosystems of support that position small businesses to thrive.

Celebrating Donor Impact

Want to see the impact of your support? Explore our TAP YouTube playlist to hear directly from clients. Their stories show what is possible when talent meets opportunity.

Join the Movement

Families across the country are turning to entrepreneurship as a way to build stability and pass on values that matter. At TAP, we stand beside them. When you support our work, you invest in people, in communities, and in the possibility of a better future.

Visit The Acceleration Project to learn more or make a donation today.