Beating the Midas Curse

Only 1 out of 10 families successfully pass their unity and prosperity from one generation to the next. For as long as historical records have been kept, the three-generation cycle of boom to bust has been the painful reality for nine out of ten families. Two thousand years ago in China the saying was ‘wealth never survives three generations.’ A century ago in Brazil it was ‘from the stables to the stars to the stables’ in three generations. Many cultures, one sad tradition of loss and failure.Watching your family’s material assets fade away is bad enough; even worse is witnessing the damage done to individual family member achievement and family unity, in large part because traditional inheritance planning fails to address the Midas Curse.Perry Cochell and Rod Zeeb knew why so many families were failing. For them, the more important question was: what were the 10% of families who continue to thrive and prosper generation after generation doing differently? Beating the Midas Curse is the product of decades of research and practical experience with hundreds of families at all income levels, from average income earners to billionaires. It details the practical, proven methods identified by Cochell and Zeeb that have been used for centuries by the ‘successful 10%’ to beat the Midas Curse.Start with the information in this book, and then begin your family’s own multi-generational journey to greater unity, strength and prosperity–right now.

ROD ZEEB is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Heritage Institute, and co-developer of The Heritage Process.TM The Heritage Institute provides training in the discipline of Heritage Design, and professional certification in The Heritage Process.TM The Institute also conducts and distributes original research, offers mentoring, coaching and marketing support for professional advisors who wish to provide heritage planning to their constituents, and provides consulting services directly to individuals and families. The Institute collaborates with GenUs LLC to provide training in GenUs Design, which is the seamless integration of financial planning, estate planning and Heritage Design for clients. GenUs also provides training and coaching to professional advisors resulting in the profitable mindset of successful advisors and the alignment of excelling at what they enjoy. Rod speaks nationally on issues related to The Heritage Process TM and GenUs DesignTM, is the co-author of the book, Beating the Midas Curse, and co-author of the novel, What Matters. Rod graduated Summa Cum Laude from Willamette College of Law in 1986, where he was Editor-in-Chief of the Willamette Law Review. He provides his time and expertise to many church, charitable, and community organizations, and enjoys travel, golf, and other activities with his children, Christina and Ryan, Ryan s wife, Kristin, and his grandchildren, Alexa, JD and Tyson. PERRY L. COCHELL began his career with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in 1994 in the position of Associate Regional Director/Senior Endowment Counsel, Western Region. In this capacity, Perry has supported council professionals and volunteers in the development and implementation of endowment programs. He has provided technical expertise in all areas of tax for current and deferred gifts to councils. In 2006, Perry was appointed to the position of National Senior Endowment Counsel, National BSA Foundation, where he worked with the foundation director, related national and regional staff, and the Foundation Advisory Committee to secure major gifts to the BSA, BSA-Foundation and/or Local Councils. Perry L. Cochell was appointed to the position of Director, Office of Philanthropy, November of 2009. He works closely with the Assistant Chief Scout Executive of the Development Office, the Chief Scout Executive and related National Board members to secure Legacy Gifts defined as outright gifts amounting to $10 million or more. Perry earned his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Willamette University, College of Law in Salem, Oregon. He completed his graduate studies at Brigham Young University in Provo, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, AZ. Perry has practiced in the areas of Business, Benefits, and Trusts and Estates Tax Law. Perry is co-founder and Certified Wealth Consultant of The Heritage Institute. An Eagle Scout, Perry attended National Camp School and served on his Local Council Camp Staff. As an adult, he has been a Scoutmaster, Blazer leader, and Troop Committee Chairman. Perry has also served on the Executive Board of the Ore-Ida Council. Perry and his wife, Karen, have three daughters, two sons, and six grandchildren.