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.

Ali Malmkar

Family businesses can be tricky but I wouldn’t want to be in business with anyone else. My brother and I started Brewcado Coffee as a simple hobby and then decided to take the coffee roasting industry by storm. As anyone can imagine we have our ups and downs but luckily we have the understanding and respect for each other to take the time to listen. Listening to one another is one of the most important factors in running a business with your family. Read more>>

Rachel Leedom

My business was born through my experiences working with my mom’s PR agency. Both my parents have had their own businesses my entire life, so in my household, entrepreneurship was the norm. My mom is a publicist for authors and thought leaders, and my dad a web designer and digital marketing expert. I feel very fortunate that they were both so generous with their skillsets, teaching me about their industries from a young age. Read more>>

Megan Vu

In the 15 years of experience I have working and hiring both family and non-family members into our wedding photography business, I believe it’s not the nature that makes us work, but the nurture. Read more>>

Nicole Miller

I get asked this question a lot because I do have a lot of my family that works for Sew Sweet Minky Designs. I love working with family! When I work with family, it is easier for me to set and hold proper expectations because I already have a relationship with them. With that comes that I also already know how to talk with them and have productive conversations. I also feel that I can be more direct with them. Read more>>

Ben Neumann

The main reason I quit my job teaching martial arts and fighting to go full time with my home bakery (I renovated my garage into a licensed bakery) was so I could spend more time with my daughter. My wife and I just adopted a baby girl this year and I am now able to have her with me in the bakery on the days my wife is at work. Read more>>