This paper describes the encounter with several "business families", that are families who face the daily complex experience of meshing family and business dynamics and problems. Indeed, members of these families can play different, sometimes overlapping and even opposite roles in each context. The authors propose a systemic analysis of the main relational aspects that characterize family businesses, particularly focusing on siblings. They also suggest that running a business as a family might represent a precious resource for the family itself to cope with relational crisis. Two clinical cases are reported to better discuss relevant issues of family therapy when family businesses are involved.
Keywords: Family system, family business, siblings, family therapy, interrelated contexts, script