For Liz Muller and her father Rich Muller, entrepreneurship is more than business. It’s family legacy, shared purpose, and a rare partnership built on complementary skills. Together, the co-founders of Deep Isolation and Deep Fission are tackling one of the world’s toughest challenges: nuclear waste and clean energy.
What began as a casual idea swap has evolved into three successful ventures and multiple groundbreaking patents. As seen in Millionaire MNL, their journey reveals how family-run businesses can thrive when driven by shared vision, respect, and the willingness to let new ideas lead.
From OECD to nuclear innovation: A global path to entrepreneurship
Before diving into startups, Liz spent nearly a decade in France working with the OECD. But the pull of entrepreneurship — and the opportunity to build something with her father — brought her back to the U.S.
Rich, a physicist and inventor, brought decades of energy sector expertise. Liz added business acumen and operational leadership. “She became my boss, and my mentor,” Rich says. “And I couldn’t be prouder.”
While their first ventures didn’t take off, persistence paid off. Today, they lead Deep Isolation, focused on nuclear waste disposal, and Deep Fission, which aims to deploy small modular reactors buried deep underground.
Complementary strengths, shared respect
Liz handles the business strategy. Rich drives the technical innovations. This clear division of focus is central to their success.
“Rich can invent on demand, which is incredibly rare,” Liz says. “But my strength is recognizing the commercial potential and driving execution.”
Their brainstorming sessions blend technical problem-solving with family anecdotes. “It’s not 100% business, and that’s the magic,” Liz adds. “It keeps our minds open to out-of-the-box ideas.”
Rich’s advice for family business dynamics is simple: “Let your child lead. They’re no longer your student. They’re your partner.”
Building billion-dollar ideas from family conversations
One of their biggest breakthroughs, the Deep Borehole Reactor, emerged from a client question at Deep Isolation. Rich explored the technical feasibility; Liz identified the transformative business potential.
Together, they co-invented a technology that could lower nuclear power costs by up to 80%. Their collaboration reflects how their different skill sets create powerful synergies — invention meets market vision.
As seen in Millionaire MNL, their dynamic shows how family-run ventures can compete with industry giants when built on trust and complementary expertise.
Family, business, and balance under one roof
The Mullers don’t just work together — they live together. Their extended family shares a four-story house in Berkeley, California, redesigned to give everyone space and connection.
“Rich makes me coffee every morning,” Liz shares. “We see each other daily, but still struggle to carve out true quality time amidst the work.”
Sunday dinners are a family staple, though work topics inevitably sneak into conversations. Yet, this close-knit living arrangement fosters collaboration, flexibility, and intergenerational learning — values that are at the core of their businesses.
The secret to a lasting partnership
For the Mullers, their success formula is simple: equality, respect, and clear roles. Unlike traditional parent-child business dynamics, where a handover is expected, they operate as equals.
“We’re not following a succession plan where Rich retires,” Liz explains. “His passion for science keeps him energized. We’re building this together, week after week.”
Rich agrees: “Working with your adult child is one of life’s greatest joys. The key is knowing when to step back and let them shine.”
Their approach has led to industry recognition and meaningful progress on some of the energy sector’s most critical challenges.
Source: Business Insider
