Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Justin Harris. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Justin , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, what do you think about family businesses? Would you want your children or other family members to one day join your business?

I have a deep appreciation for family businesses. When managed effectively, family businesses can be incredibly successful and offer a unique sense of continuity and legacy. The key to making a family business thrive lies in having a unified vision that everyone is committed to, regardless of how that vision evolves over time. It’s also crucial to establish a well-defined succession plan early on, which outlines how both ownership and leadership will be passed down. Equally important is fostering open communication, so that all family members are aligned and any issues can be addressed proactively. The challenges I’ve seen in family businesses often come down is the tension between individual career aspirations and the needs of the business. Not every family member may want to stay in the business, or they might have different professional goals. Sometimes there’s also tension because people assume family members are automatically the best fit to lead, when in fact, they might not have the right skill set or desire to take on the responsibility. Additionally, I’ve seen some businesses struggle due to a lack of clear roles and responsibilities, which can blur the lines between professional and personal dynamics. As for my own children, I would have no problem with them joining the business—if they truly wanted to. But I believe it’s important for them to forge their own path first, to see what resonates with them, and only then consider whether the family business is where they want to invest their energy. The last thing you want is to bring someone into the business who’s not fully committed or doesn’t share the same vision. I think it’s vital to avoid any underlying tension or conflicting goals, because those kinds of issues can undermine the whole business. For a family business to thrive, there needs to be alignment, transparency, and an ongoing commitment to communication. When these elements are in place, family businesses have incredible potential to not just survive, but to flourish across generations.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always been surrounded by the construction trades through family and friends, and after years in management within the food service packaging industry, I decided to follow my entrepreneurial dreams. I pursued education in building science and founded Charming Home Inspections in 2021.

At Charming Home Inspections, we offer thorough, unbiased home inspections for buyers, sellers, and homeowners maintaining their properties. We focus on evaluating the overall condition of a home, from its major systems to its components, helping clients identify potential issues before making important decisions.

What sets us apart is our personal touch. We treat every client like family, ensuring they feel heard, supported, and confident in their decisions. We’re most proud of being a part of people’s home-buying journeys and helping them make informed choices that protect their future.

At the end of the day, our goal is simple: to provide clear, honest inspections that give our clients peace of mind.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was the tendency to entertain every opinion, no matter how trivial or off-base it might seem, while also being overly critical of others’ perspectives. Over time, I realized that while every opinion can offer value, it’s just as important to filter out what truly serves your goals and values. I learned that you can extract useful insights from almost anyone, but what matters most is being discerning about which lessons are worth absorbing and which are best left behind. In essence, it’s not about shutting others out, but about honing the skill to identify what truly adds value to your own journey.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

When it comes to managing a team and maintaining high morale, I believe the foundation starts with genuinely understanding the people you’re leading. Taking the time to get to know them—how they perceive things, what motivates them, and what challenges they face—gives you a much deeper understanding of their needs and how to support them effectively.

In my experience, the biggest morale killer isn’t necessarily compensation or benefits—though those are important—but rather treating people like they’re just cogs in a machine.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.charminghomeinspectionsllc.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charminghomeinspectionsllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CharmingHomeInspectionsLLC
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharmingHomeInspectionsLLC