For some, family businesses mean spending more quality time with their families, financial freedom and so much more while for others it feels like a prison sentence. There are so many pros and cons, positives and negatives and so we wanted to create a space for folks who have experiences with family businesses to discuss the pros and cons.

Joseph Garcia

Family businesses offer a unique blend of trust, legacy, and long-term vision that can be difficult to replicate in other organizational structures. When family members share a common purpose and commitment, decision-making can be more cohesive, and values tend to be deeply embedded in the company culture. There’s also a natural motivation to preserve and grow something that has generational significance.Would I want my children to join the business? Potentially, but not by default. Read more>>

Maximilian Shelton

There’s something uniquely special about being part of a family business. When you’re in sync with the people you love, chasing the same vision—it’s a rare kind of win. As a director, I’ve had the chance to collaborate with my sister for years. Sure, there are tough moments, but using those lows as fuel for growth makes the victories even more meaningful. Together, we’ve directed major music videos, led global commercial campaigns, and have been a part in creating both an award-winning short film and a feature-length documentary. Read more>>

Dan And Annie Klark

Working together is one of the things that makes us the most successful! Because we’ve built such a solid foundation as a married couple, it makes it easier for us to do business together as well. We are able to lean on each other for support when needed, and we are in constant communication about all things real estate and otherwise. It also gives us a unique perspective when it comes to working with clients to help them advance their own family’s goals – we’ve been through so much, both together and as individuals, that we are able to empathize with other families and individuals in a variety of life stages and financial positions. It’s a wonderful opportunity to use our experiences to help others as well! Read more>>

Racheal Cook

As someone who comes from a long line of entrepreneurs, I honestly don’t think I could have NOT become a small business owner. My great-grandparents owned a hosiery mill that made silk stockings in the 1930s-1940s (in fact, they shifted to making parachutes during WWII). My grandfather owned a small grocery store. My mom started her business in the 1980s as a soil consultant (prior to women even being able to get a business loan). And my dad has owned an insurance agency since 1985. Read more>>

Kelsi Harris

Adding a business into family dynamics expands the beauty that is being built and adds a challenge that not many will understand in our society. My husband and I now run two businesses together and figuring out how we operate together as co-owners versus husband and wife has allowed us to learn that we operate very differently in the world of business and we have to learn to use our strengths to our benefit. Often people not in the business world seem shocked that we both want to work together, work from home together, and still spend our free time together but there is no one you should be able to lean on more than your family both in life and business. Read more>>