Do you run or work for a family business? If so, we’d love to hear from you for our family business series. In this series, you’ll find insights, stories and a discussion of the pros and cons of family businesses.

Saundra Murray

I believe family owned businesses are the back bone to most industries. With family I feel as though there is or at least should be a sense of loyalty, knowing you’re building for the future generations to come encourages the long-term thinking needed for growth and success in your business. During hard times due to that strong personal bond most families tend to stick together and show that determination needed to continue running a successful business. In a family business I believe you tend to be more committed to the success of the business and more passionate about what the business stands for. Read more>>

Kundanika Adkuloo

Managing family businesses is the most challenging endeavor one can undertake but exciting at the same time. I started getting involved in our family businesses since the age of 13. The passion to run a business runs in my family since decades. My grandfather established a hotel in Kashmir in 1984, my dad initiated his leather factory in Delhi in 1993, my mom set up her educational institute and nursery in UAE in 2007, and that’s when I developed an interest for business as well. Read more>>

Chrysalyn Huff

Starting a business with my family was never something I didn’t think about. I love spending time with my kids and other family members so I wanted to build something that we could all do together and have a piece of. Each of my adult children have had a significant impact on our success. During the build out of our first location my husband Jeff was on the road traveling with a new role at his company. Ryne, our oldest was off for a semester before student teaching. So he worked with me to manage the entire build out. I wouldn’t have made it without him. Read more>>

Alexius S. Morris

Me and my husband, Michael, recently started a online clothing business together. The clothing business is his baby. He is the CEO and I act as the CBO (Chief Branding Officer, lol). I would be lying if I said working with my spouse was easy. Its far from it. The biggest challenge we’ve had is separating business from personal. Seeing them work in that capacity can be a challenge if you are normally in charge like I am. Read more>>

Shelby Koester

We are one of several that I know, and I am always amazed and inspired by the passion for creating that is involved in family businesses. Owning a small business is hard work and when you see more than one generation involved, you know that they are loving what they do. Read more>>

Nicole Bailey

Growing up, I did not witness either of my parents own a small business. However, my husband and myself are both business owners and have three children that had an early introduction into business affairs do to my inability to set and maintain boundaries. By not doing so, I found myself having to calm down irritated little ones that were hunger, tired, and just wanted to do what all children enjoy doing, having fun. After a few years, I realized that setting boundaries had to be a requirement in order for me and my family to remain mentally and physically healthy. Read more>>

Olivia Oldham

Live Local. Serve Local. My husband and I own and operate an orthodontic clinic called Oldham Family Orthodontics in Kyle, Texas. My husband is the orthodontist and I run the clinic. There are many other orthodontic clinics in the area, but what sets us apart is that we are truly a locally owned small business. We live 5 minutes from our clinic, and we are a husband and wife team. Our patients know that when they begin treatment with us, they are becoming part of our family. Read more>>

Courtney Burk

I grew up in the family restaurant that is still in operation (nice work, fam!) and has been for close to 40 years. My first job was refilling coffee and water when I was too young to work the register. I learned a lot about people through my experience in the industry and watched the dedication and hard work my family put into their business every day. And it comes as no surprise that I fell in love with the industry at a young age. Read more>>