The Family Business Exchange welcomes Jean Thompson, CEO and Owner of Seattle Chocolate Company, and her daughter, Ellie Thompson, now the second generation in the business, for a fireside chat to share their unique journey together.  We'll hear Jean's reflections on her unexpected path into entrepreneurship and how her leadership sparked Ellie’s interest in joining the company. Together, they have navigated family-business dynamics and embraced bold decisions—most notably Ellie’s leadership as Director of Marketing in the recent rebranding to “Maeve.” Hear candid insights from both perspectives on lessons learned, strategies for fostering leadership growth, and a vision for the future that blends legacy with innovation—takeaways every family business leader can apply.

About the Family Business Exchange

Seattle University’s Family Business Exchange (FBX) is a community of Pacific Northwest family business owners who gather to engage in education, networking, and professional development tailored specifically to their needs.

FBX provides opportunities for families to address their unique challenges through relevant programming. It serves as a forum for information exchange with the goal of helping each member thrive through future generations. Areas of best practice that we cover include family business succession planning, governance, leadership development and growth, among others.

About Equinox Business Law Group

Equinox Business Law Group provides strategic legal counsel for entrepreneurs at a fixed monthly cost. Founded by Michelle Bomberger, Equinox brings two decades of legal expertise to entrepreneurs. As business owners themselves, they combine legal knowledge with a powerful network of industry experts to support your business growth. Equinox is a proud Corporate Member of Seattle University’s Family Business Exchange.