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.

Alex Zuniga

Family business are definitely a big part of the American Dream. Starting one has helped our family not only come together but has helped get us out of poverty. Read more>>

Alyssa Valenti

My grandparents owned and operated the first hybrid, theater & restaurant concept in the Tampa Bay area called, “Tampa Pitcher Show.” They opened their doors in 1982 and remained in business for over 30 years. The vast majority of my childhood was spent there. I witnessed them create an environment where locals came regularly for years to enjoy the latest blockbuster over dinner. I realized early on that they weren’t just in the business of selling movie tickets or homemade pizza’s, they were in the business of creating memorable experiences. Read more>>

Monica Miles

I grew up in a family owned business. Like me, most of my siblings are entrepreneurs now. I learned many things from my parents – some things I have duplicated and some I try to avoid with my own kids and employees alike. Some of the issues we have and how we make them work – -Keeping business and personal separate – If there is conflict at home or work it has to stay there and not affect the other area. Staff do not need to be involved or aware there is anything going on with the owners when they are there. Read more>>

Katrina Kubicina

My photography business didn’t start as a “family business” but it has truly grown into one! When I started photographing weddings 9 years ago I was a one woman show. My husband shared a passion for photography as well and after seeing the incredible photos he took from a trip we took to Paris I decided to start bringing him along to weddings with me. He borrowed a really old camera from his sister, and tagged along. Read more>>

Blake Sullivan

My brother and I have grown up in a family surrounded by business. My grandpa founded a hardwood flooring company called Sullivan Hardwood Flooring in Scottsville, KY where now three of my uncles and one of my cousins work. My grandma also worked a flower shop in her basement when my mom was younger and my mom was one of her assistants in the shop. Many people are cautious about entering business relationships with relatives because there have been plenty of stories of broken relationships that come from doing so. However, when my brother Kyle and I started videoing weddings in October of 2020 our relationship has done nothing but strengthen. Read more>>

Jamie Poe

I think family businesses are wonderful. I grew up with an Aunt and Uncle who started their apparel business 40+ years ago and still work 5 days a week together to this day. They are also still married! So I suppose I grew up with that proof of concept and am lucky to have a husband who’s up for the adventure. It takes a certain type of conditioning to be able to make it work, but the pros for us by far outweigh the cons. Read more>>

Ricardo Franco

I feel that family businesses are the fiber that make the American Flag . They build communities and they are what make America . Read more>>

Christian Ankrum

My brother Aaron and I have been attached at the hip since I was born. Growing up we played sports together, worked at camp together, went to the same college, and played music together. We played in a band (Grayshot) from Jr. High up until just before the pandemic. He had been producing our music and others, and also in that time we started making our own music videos. As he took on more corporate clients for audio snippets, commercials and audio books, those same customers needed video needs. We kicked off working together with a keynote video for a large health care company back in 2019. Read more>>

Anne & Kayla Valenzuela

A family business is exactly what we are. We’re sister-in-laws! I think it works only if you have the same mentality on how you want the business to be and at the same time, you each have different roles so that you’re not stepping on each other’s toes. Anne is the creative person and has the vision of the client’s theme/ideas. Kayla puts the vision to reality during setup. Read more>>