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.

Laura Gravino

My husband, Ian Taylor and I have been lucky enough to work together, building our business Ian Taylor Trekking, over the past 16 years. It is a unique experience, getting to work alongside your partner, developing your passions into a business. Read more>>

Hailee Thoen

We are a family owned business and absolutely love it. When we first threw out the idea of starting a business together, we wanted to build something that we love and would have together long term. We all come to the table with different strengths, and we’re able to comfortably communicate what those are and how we can best approach each client’s needs. Because we’re family, it’s easier to share thoughts without feeling nervous or weird about anything. We love being together and doing something that we have a passion for–bringing clients’ visions to life. Throughout the years, we’ve really gotten into a good groove of who is best at which of the multiple “hats” we wear in business, and it’s been so fun to do it all together and bounce ideas and dreams off of one another. Read more>>

Carol And Marilyn Owens And Klein

As a mother and daughter small business, we get asked quite often about how we get along. And honestly, we truly are best friends. Something Marilyn always hoped and prayed for was being able to have the relationship with her daughter that she didn’t have with her own mother and we are blessed to have that. We started our soy candle business out of a need to supplement our income as two widows and there was never any question about ‘would this hurt our relationship’. Being family made it easy and that aspect has touched and encouraged many of our customers. Read more>>

Rachel & Justin Patten

Our family is quite close and now that our children are older, they can help with a lot of the work when we need them. We love how they are willing to jump in when needed and how they have such a direct understanding of how our business supports our lives. Justin and I were both inner-city elementary school teachers while the kids were young. They saw us work hard and believe in what we were doing, but unfortunately could never make ends meet. They saw us have to give up one passion for another and learn how to start a business from scratch using our strengths, natural talents, and work ethic. So we are proud to have our kids watch this journey and we are not too proud to ask them for help when work gets overwhelming because we want them to understand how hard it is and also how important it is to be able to ask for help when you need it. Both of our kids are incredible artists and I think they could potentially be interested in working for our company in the future. Read more>>

Courtney Huizenga

Family Business is the heart of America! I grew up with entrepreneurs & around lots of small, family businesses! From my grandmother being a flower farmer, to my grandpa running an excavating company, to my parents running their business! It’s such blessing to learn the value of a dollar at a young age & to be taught to work hard. I am thankful for kids will have the opportunity to grow up living on a farm- to learn all these wonderful skills & valuable life lessons! They will see that running your own business is not a walk in the park- it’s extremely hard- but at the end of day it’s something you created & poured your heart into! Read more>>