Family Business, AI, and the Future of Work: Erik Braden on Building Braden Business Systems

In this episode of Risk & Resolve, Ben Conner and Todd Hufford sit down with Erik Braden, Managing Partner of Braden Business Systems, to discuss family business, technology, growth, and leadership. Erik shares his journey from cold-calling his way onto Wall Street to returning home to help grow his family business through acquisitions, innovation, and a people-first culture. From managed print and IT to AI consulting and automation, this conversation explores what it takes to stay ahead of change while building a business that serves clients, employees, and family well. Main Talking Points Erik’s Indiana roots and early ambition to work on Wall Street Cold-calling his way into an internship at Bear Stearns Lessons from JP Morgan, private equity, M&A, and board-level leadership Why he returned to Indiana and joined the family business Braden Business Systems’ evolution from fax machines and copiers to full technology solutions Using acquisitions to grow and diversify the business Building in downtown Fishers and betting on the city’s future Working alongside his father and honoring the family business legacy How the pandemic reshaped demand for IT, cloud, and remote-work support Why Braden is leaning into AI consulting and implementation The importance of helping companies adopt AI—not just turn tools on How automation, workflows, and agentic AI will reshape office work Erik’s people-first leadership philosophy and “never miss your kid’s game” standard Building a culture of energy, optimism, service, and long-term resilience