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.

Chef Rocco Pezzano

I never planned on opening another restaurant. After years in the industry, I thought I had moved on. But then my son Marco came to me one day and said, “Let’s do it again.” He grew up in restaurants, in the kitchens I built, and he missed it. And if I’m honest, I missed it too—not just the cooking, but the people, the energy, the feeling of feeding a room full of people and knowing you gave them something special. Read more>>

Claudia Bustamente

During my time in college, when I was living in Honolulu and studying Entrepreneurship at Hawaii Pacific University, I was exposed to many different cultures living in that city. The extensive variety of restaurants and diners along with other small businesses offered something unique – a more personalized dining/shopping experience and a sense of being in a smaller, more intimate business setting. Read more>>

Kyle Kania

While I started Kksportscards at 21 years old, it has definitely grown into a family atmosphere in the office. I was lucky enough to have friends and family that wanted to support me and help from the very beginning. Due to the help they offered I was able to hire on family, friends from elementary school-college, guys I played baseball with, college roommates and even our neighborhood mailman! The ability to trust the people I have working for me has been a complete game changer and I am extremely grateful for that. This also creates a very close knit, family like feel while we work and gives everyone the ability to enjoy working together. When I have children I would love for them to enjoy sports cards and join the business but at the end of the day I want them to do whatever their passionate about. I whole heartedly agree with the saying “if you do what you love you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Read more>>

Sara Gorovits

For folks who may not have read about you before, can you please tell our readers about yourself, how you
got into your industry/business/discipline/craft, etc.? I’m a visual artist, and art has been part of my life since I can remember. Growing up, I was surrounded by creativity. My mom was a ballerina, and my grandfather was a visual artist and a theatrical costume and set designer. I spent a lot of time in my grandfather’s studio when I was young, constantly painting and experimenting, and over the years, I explored a variety of artistic forms – children’s book illustrations, costume design for theater, murals for nightclubs, and commissioned artwork. Read more>>

Callan Paffrath Jamison

I am apart of a family business going back four generations. My great great grandfather started Paffrath Jewelers in 1926 as a watch maker and passed the business on to his son. He followed the trends of the time and slowly transitioned the business into a silverware and jewelry store as well as watch making. My grandfather then took over the business and fully transformed the business into a fine jewelry store specializing in diamonds and gemstones. He passed the business down to my father who continued with the specializing in diamonds and gemstones who then passed the business down to me. I am the first woman jeweler in my family and have found my niche in custom bridal and heirloom jewelry. Read more>>