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.

Benjamin Haberman

I grew up in one. I love family businesses My dad owned a landscaping business for 30 + years. Family businesses are great but I just wish more of them understood that need to prepare the company for exit regardless of being a “family business” or not. Every company should be building a business that runs its self and offers an excellent service ALL around, without the owner. If you turn 55 and realize you want to pass the business onto your kids because you want to retire…How does that look? Read more>>

Jamila Teasley

My thoughts concerning family owned businesses are that it creates legacies, generational wealth, and you are passing down a developed skill . Although, there are challenges that family businesses face it can be conquered with understanding ones weaknesses and strengths and asserting were one falls short to own a successful family business. Read more>>

Brandon Smithwick

Family is well… family! The uncontrollable variable here is you cannot choose the family you are born into; however, you CAN choose your family of choice when you go through life! I am very blessed to partner with both of my siblings on separate business ventures. My sister, Jessie Andrews owns a catering business in Lansing, MI called, A Catered Affaire’. My brother, David Johnson and I co-own a window glass and screen repair shop in Holt, MI. Both businesses allow me the opportunity to give unbiased advice as it relates to digital marketing strategy. Read more>>

Amber DuBoise-Shepherd

I come from a line of Native American artists in the arts of weaving, silversmithing, beadwork, and native fashion. I grew in a traditional Native American family and was taught various cultural traditions and was surrounded by various family members and their art forms. Read more>>

Maria Riofrio

A family business is a never-ending journey, one that is continually evolving. Having family working with you encourages you to succeed. We make sure our products are done properly and care so much about what we do and how much effort we put in. Read more>>

Lesley Mortimer Wallace

I think there is mixed views on family business, some see it as nepotism, I was embaressed about being the boss’s daughter for a long time…then a great friend once told me he saw it as second generation. It changed my whole view on the topic and now I sing it load and proud. I personally couldn’t of done any of this thing called life without the family aspect. Read more>>

Nakia Haughton

When I first started out both of my catering businesses in 2019, I was a one woman army. Cleaning up, taking orders, delivery driver, social media marketing and everything else. My business has grown overnight, and being a new mom back then I managed but it was so physically exhausting. I love to see families all pitching in to help m, when someone in the family is trying to create something to past down for generations to come. Read more>>

Amanda Peña Bustillos

We are 3 generations of family working together at Wild Birds Unlimited of Dripping and we absolutely love it.! It’s a dream come true to do what I love while spending time with my family. As a mom, I especially appreciate having the flexibility of a family business as we raise our children. Our customers have become extended family to us over the past 5 years and it’s really special that they love keeping up with our family and watching our children grow too. Read more>>

julio paredes

For the majority of immigrants who come to the United States looking for better opportunities, especially for those of us who have our roots in the Latin culture, success and prosperity are always accompanied by family unity. letiarepa from its name represents what we Venezuelans are, our typical food is the arepa and the name of my little daughter is leticia, so we seek to start a project that would make us reborn as thousands of Hispanics have done in this country, start from scratch, with the dream of bringing their children forward without ever forgetting their roots and the values that our parents taught us from home. Read more>>

Melissa Goehring

Signs616’s origin is rooted in family business and has found success by nurturing the small business & family focused mentality. Portable black signs with neon vinyl letters rented to other businesses and individuals is our bread and butter. We got started when my father purchased 10 signs and brought them to Michigan from Minnesota. Read more>>