At first, Amanda Neppl wasn’t so sure about joining a group of family business peers.

A second-generation member of Patzer Woodworking, she decided to try anyway and became part of an Affinity Peer Group about a year ago.

“My first year has been a very positive experience,” Neppl said. “It’s nice to have other peers at my fingertips who understand similar experiences I’ve gone through as a business owner. Having members to bounce ideas off of and offer suggestions and share personal experiences is so valuable.”

At Interstate Office Products, third-generation family business member Antonio Casiello found the same thing.

“Prairie Family Business Association, namely my Affinity Peer Group, has made me a better business leader and helped me with my transition into my family business,” he said.

Affinity Peer Groups are organized through the Prairie Family Business Association and have taken off in a big way.

Currently, there are 26 groups with 141 participants, including:

• 35 Leading Generation peer group members.
• 66 Transition Generation peer group members.
• 35 Next-Generation peer group members.
• 5 Key Nonfamily peer group members.

“We find these are some of the most valuable, long-term relationships we’re helping facilitate,” Prairie Family Business Association executive director Stephanie Larscheid said. “The best practices, camaraderie and support have been key in helping members of every generation succeed.”

Affinity Peer Groups consist of six to eight individuals in a similar stage of life and business. Most meet every other month for a half-day, though the Leading Generation groups meet quarterly.

Most groups also incorporate at least one social event into their annual schedule, offering a chance for partners to meet one another and participate.

“I love the group,” said Don Raleigh III, second-generation member of Evolve Systems. “It’s my closest friends. I can’t complain about a thing with my group.”

Prairie Family Business Association also offers a comprehensive Affinity Peer Group handbook, which includes procedures, a sample agenda and tools to enhance the peer group experience.

“You’re definitely not on your own as we’re here to support you but also give you flexibility to customize your group experience to meet everyone’s needs,” Larscheid said.

It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day business operation, said Kara Peterson, a second-generation member of G&H Distributing Inc.

“The Affinity Peer Group is a great way to expose you to new techniques or strategies that can be applied in your business,” she said. “It might not be 100 percent the same, but the inspiration inspires you to try versions of these strategies as you push for solutions to ongoing issues or establish ways to make the core business stronger.”

Groups are led by facilitators matched through Prairie Family Business Association. The facilitators recently came together for a first-time retreat and received APG Certified Facilitator Status after participating.

“Prairie Family Business Association’s APGs are one of the most valuable benefits I’ve witnessed in 48 years of being impacted by, involved in, coaching or leading a family business,” said one facilitator who attended.

“It’s an absolute honor and joy to facilitate my APG, knowing the impact these relationships and skills grown within them will have on generations now and those to come!”

The event drew such a positive response and outcome that “we plan to offer this retreat annually,” Larscheid said. “The goal is to have uniform policies and procedures for our peer group and custom training for our facilitators so everyone receives a consistent and valuable experience.”

Participants already are reporting significant benefits, with more than nine in 10 surveyed saying they would recommend the groups to other family business members.

The biggest benefits were peer sharing, depth in sharing, working through conflicts and challenges, and education.

“These are such common themes in family businesses, but sometimes you feel like you’re navigating them alone,” Larscheid said. “Affinity Peer Groups make you quickly realize not only are you not alone but you’re surrounded by peers to process issues together.”

Prairie Family Business Association consistently forms new Affinity Peer Groups. Click here to learn more, join a waitlist and become matched with a group.