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.

Amanda Signorelli

Family businesses are extraordinarily difficult because of the constant entanglement between personal and professional. Boundaries are often eradicated and the only path to success is through a blackbelt in communication. Like all businesses it comes down to goals and intent. What kind of company do you want to build? A business that happens to be run by a family or a business that only employs family. Read more>>

ShaRhonda Hill-Heggie

I come from a very creative family. My mother is a pianist/vocalist. I have a brother who works for Crayola in the education department. As for family businesses, 2 of my siblings own businesses. They actually inspired me to pursue my entrepreneurial journey. To be successful it is important to have a strong team to support your vision for your business. Family makes up most of the team for both of their businesses. We collaborate whenever the opportunities are presented and support one another. Also family businesses allow the opportunity to create legacies and generational wealth. Read more>>

ShaRae Willden

I believe that family businesses are the true backbone of the American dream. So many businesses have started from a family business and become successful large companies that employ thousands to hundreds of thousands of people. Family businesses are, I believe, what America’s economy has been built on, and I strongly believe that they will continue to move America forward and keep our economy running. That said I also believe that family businesses have become a bit of a forgotten piece of the American dream that is slowly making a comeback. Read more>>

Evon Pollack

I come from a family of self starters and entrepreneurs. My father was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. He came to this country with little to nothing, for a better life for he and his siblings. He was a musician that toured all over the country spreading the joy that reggae music brings. Once he locked in a few successful hits, he took the proceeds and started Mobay Cafe in Wilmington, Delaware. Read more>>