Family IN Business

Zack Richner is ambitious, daring, and thoughtful, just like his grandparents who founded Richner Communications and his father who currently leads the family business. Within the story of family entrepreneurship, Zack Richner leverages his family’s assets to create Arrandale Ventures, an innovative startup that creates a new business model for traditional local media. What does Richner’s leadership story tell us about finding your niche within your family business? Listen to Richner’s entrepreneurial journey as he learns about the family business, works for the Obama Campaign and leads the Hurricane Sandy Task Force, and spearheads The Local Journalism Sustainability Act, federal legislation aimed at ensuring the health of the local news industry and civic engagement. Learn what entrepreneurialism and innovation mean for families in a challenging marketplace with the Family IN Entrepreneurship Model.

As the third-generation family business leader, Ariel Bacal faced overwhelming obstacles in his footwear manufacturing and retail business in Colombia and Venezuela: an onslaught of cheaper products, a plunge in currency exchange, and ever mounting pressures from the fashion footwear industry. After countless pivots and desperate measures, it became clear that the only option left was to close the family business. Hear Ariel Bacal candidly share his business story: how he decided it was the right time to close the family enterprise and the lessons he learned through failure. And why, only four years later, he resumed his entrepreneurial journey with BLANX, an innovative online shoe company. In this episode, we explore the element of timing in the Family IN Entrepreneurship Model as well as how the stories we tell about ourselves shape our understanding of events and our identity.

Who starts a new family business with a mortgage and kids in college? Entrepreneur Kalpana Waiker of Inspired Indian Cooking, with the support of her husband Sachin Waiker. Listen to the Waiker’s story of familial support systems, pursuing passions, and making strategic goals that fit their expectations of life outside of work. How does Waiker create, scale and finance a business that meets her entrepreneurial and her personal goals? In this episode, the Waiker’s story highlights how family is at the heart of the Family IN Entrepreneurship model and brings to light a new kind of narrative for startups.

Though Kartik Wahi's father started a successful OEM business, Wahi wasn't ready to work for the family business. In this episode, Wahi takes us on his entrepreneurial journey from his days at Kellogg School of Management to discovering the opportunities in solar and the founding and growth of the social enterprise Claro Energy.  Listen to Wahi discover, through trial and error, the wisdom that his father had tried impressed upon him: focus on cash flow, create value for all stakeholders, and try to internalize the wisdom of your elders.

When Ian Rosen decided to return to the family business in 2018, Harry Rosen Inc., Canada’s leading luxury men's clothing retailer, was only doing 2-4 percent of their business online. In the months before COVID-19 hit, Rosen and his team were creating a thoughtful plan on how to stay relevant in the e-commerce space. When stay-at-home orders shuttered all of Harry Rosen’s retail stores, the launch of their digital platform became trial-by-fire. How did Harry Rosen Inc. stay relevant to the changing marketplace and to the founder’s family? How did the founder’s legacy become a steadfast value of a successful company? Listen to the grandson of the founder, Ian Rosen share his leadership story as he reflects on what changes and what stays the same over the generations in business.

Anderson Tanoto saw the potential for his family business, Royal Golden Eagle (RGE), to become a leader in sustainability. Through his journey in transitioning the company into more sustainable practices, Tanoto learned that failure, perseverance, and equity are key ingredients to creating meaningful change.

It was a routine activity that led to a life-threatening accident, a coma, and multiple cranial surgeries. Adam Farver, Chairman of the Board and fourth generation of his family enterprise, Pella Corporation, found himself eavesdropping on doctors who doubted his full recovery. Faced with frightening questions about his future, Adam took stock of his life before the accident, consulting his late great-grandfather and grandmother’s wisdom: what would he do now? Listen as Adam tells the story of his realizations, recovery, and resetting his purpose. We are also joined by experts Dave Whorton and Jennifer Pendergast discussing how family enterprises can—and should—intentionally find their purpose to steel themselves from crisis.

Along with their younger sister Melissa Steiner, Stephanie Jackson and Kimberly Paxton-Hagner are co-owners of their multigenerational family enterprise, Kwik Lok. If you’ve ever bought bread, tortillas, or apples in a bag, you’ve already used their product! Their grandfather, Floyd Paxton, invented the plastic closure tab that keeps food fresh and tracks the supply of many of our favorite foods. The sisters’ road to family enterprise leadership started as a total surprise: their grandfather and father never intended for women in their family to take over the business. But their father’s sudden passing left a leadership gap, and the Paxton sisters had to ask themselves: What do we do? How will we do it? And why should we do it? Listen as our guests discuss their trepidation and inspiration finding their purpose within their family enterprise, in roles they never thought they’d take on. We are also joined by experts Rob Lachenauer and Jennifer Pendergast, who offer thoughts on organizational change, defining purpose, and winning employee buy-in.

As the brainchild of Kent Johnson’s great-grandparents, Highlights for Children has been an explicitly purpose-driven company from its inception. A passion for serving, honoring, developing, and educating children informs every decision made in this family business. Purpose is so ingrained at Highlights for Children that the in-house newsletter is called “The Purpose,” and the company even has a Chief Purpose Officer! But when building up the importance of purpose, how do leaders make sure they and their organization actually walk the walk? How does a commitment to living your values impact your choices at difficult crossroads? Listen as Kent describes steps he and his family enterprise have taken to ensure they serve their purpose in meaningful ways, even in the face of controversy. Experts Brooke Vuckovic and Jennifer Pendergast add insights on what it means to lead well in sticky situations.

Enrico Leta expected to continue to lead and work in his family enterprise, a highly successful regional chain of high end supermarkets started by his Italian immigrant grandfather. But he did not expect that the second generation—Enrico’s father, aunts, and uncles—would decide the best future for their family business rested on leaving the third generation to find their own ventures. Dazed and untethered, Enrico set off to find a new career path and purpose. His story inadvertently illustrates for us what guest expert Dave Evans refers to as “designing your life” with curiosity, community, experimentation, and storytelling. Join us to learn how Enrico navigated a season of uncertainty and how he found success with his “best doable option.” In addition to Dave Evans, we are also joined by guest expert Jennifer Pendergast, who discusses trans-generational entrepreneurship and the “entrepreneur gene.”

Enrico Leta expected to continue to lead and work in his family enterprise, a highly successful regional chain of high end supermarkets started by his Italian immigrant grandfather. But he did not expect that the second generation—Enrico’s father, aunts, and uncles—would decide the best future for their family business rested on leaving the third generation to find their own ventures. Dazed and untethered, Enrico set off to find a new career path and purpose. His story inadvertently illustrates for us what guest expert Dave Evans refers to as “designing your life” with curiosity, community, experimentation, and storytelling. Join us to learn how Enrico navigated a season of uncertainty and how he found success with his “best doable option.” In addition to Dave Evans, we are also joined by guest expert Jennifer Pendergast, who discusses trans-generational entrepreneurship and the “entrepreneur gene.”

Enrico Leta expected to continue to lead and work in his family enterprise, a highly successful regional chain of high end supermarkets started by his Italian immigrant grandfather. But he did not expect that the second generation—Enrico’s father, aunts, and uncles—would decide the best future for their family business rested on leaving the third generation to find their own ventures. Dazed and untethered, Enrico set off to find a new career path and purpose. His story inadvertently illustrates for us what guest expert Dave Evans refers to as “designing your life” with curiosity, community, experimentation, and storytelling. Join us to learn how Enrico navigated a season of uncertainty and how he found success with his “best doable option.” In addition to Dave Evans, we are also joined by guest expert Jennifer Pendergast, who discusses trans-generational entrepreneurship and the “entrepreneur gene.”

Meghan Juday is among the fourth generation of leaders in her family enterprise, IDEAL INDUSTRIES, an electrical and electronic manufacturing company. Currently the Chairman of the Board, she has faced challenges on a wide spectrum from the isolation of being a lone female Chairman to mitigating the shortage of trades professionals. She has proactively tackled these problems and more while contemplating the legacy of her leadership and of her family enterprise. Listen as Meghan discusses stewardship, “emotional returns,” and the negative aspects of legacy. Guest experts Jennifer Pendergast and Dave Whorton also lend their takes on sustainability, purpose, and the long view.

Meghan Juday is among the fourth generation of leaders in her family enterprise, IDEAL INDUSTRIES, an electrical and electronic manufacturing company. Currently the Chairman of the Board, she has faced challenges on a wide spectrum from the isolation of being a lone female Chairman to mitigating the shortage of trades professionals. She has proactively tackled these problems and more while contemplating the legacy of her leadership and of her family enterprise. Listen as Meghan discusses stewardship, “emotional returns,” and the negative aspects of legacy. Guest experts Jennifer Pendergast and Dave Whorton also lend their takes on sustainability, purpose, and the long view.

Meghan Juday is among the fourth generation of leaders in her family enterprise, IDEAL INDUSTRIES, an electrical and electronic manufacturing company. Currently the Chairman of the Board, she has faced challenges on a wide spectrum from the isolation of being a lone female Chairman to mitigating the shortage of trades professionals. She has proactively tackled these problems and more while contemplating the legacy of her leadership and of her family enterprise. Listen as Meghan discusses stewardship, “emotional returns,” and the negative aspects of legacy. Guest experts Jennifer Pendergast and Dave Whorton also lend their takes on sustainability, purpose, and the long view.

Herschend Family Entertainment has a trademark: “Creating Memories Worth Repeating.” As the largest family-owned themed-entertainment company in the United States, you might think running the business is all fun and games. But as Chris Herschend explains, working cooperatively and productively with family can be difficult. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Chris, his siblings, and his cousins have been able to define a shared family purpose: to live, love, and serve together. Listen as he shares his lessons learned—and points to what we are “wired to do.” We are also joined by expert Jennifer Pendergast with thoughts on the relationship between individual freedom and shared purpose.

Herschend Family Entertainment has a trademark: “Creating Memories Worth Repeating.” As the largest family-owned themed-entertainment company in the United States, you might think running the business is all fun and games. But as Chris Herschend explains, working cooperatively and productively with family can be difficult. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Chris, his siblings, and his cousins have been able to define a shared family purpose: to live, love, and serve together. Listen as he shares his lessons learned—and points to what we are “wired to do.” We are also joined by expert Jennifer Pendergast with thoughts on the relationship between individual freedom and shared purpose.

Herschend Family Entertainment has a trademark: “Creating Memories Worth Repeating.” As the largest family-owned themed-entertainment company in the United States, you might think running the business is all fun and games. But as Chris Herschend explains, working cooperatively and productively with family can be difficult. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Chris, his siblings, and his cousins have been able to define a shared family purpose: to live, love, and serve together. Listen as he shares his lessons learned—and points to what we are “wired to do.” We are also joined by expert Jennifer Pendergast with thoughts on the relationship between individual freedom and shared purpose.

Leaders from five different industries share how Professor Emeritus John Ward influenced them and their family enterprises during their time at Kellogg and beyond. These five different impacts provide lessons that all family business leaders can leverage.

Leaders from five different industries share how Professor Emeritus John Ward influenced them and their family enterprises during their time at Kellogg and beyond. These five different impacts provide lessons that all family business leaders can leverage.

Leaders from five different industries share how Professor Emeritus John Ward influenced them and their family enterprises during their time at Kellogg and beyond. These five different impacts provide lessons that all family business leaders can leverage.

Which is better, securing financial stability or building something in the world? For those with the entrepreneurial gene, the answer is always ‘building something.’ Good thing Andreas Kuster inherited this gene when he needed to revitalize Europe’s oldest cookie manufacturing company, Jakob's Basler Leckerly.

Which is better, securing financial stability or building something in the world? For those with the entrepreneurial gene, the answer is always ‘building something.’ Good thing Andreas Kuster inherited this gene when he needed to revitalize Europe’s oldest cookie manufacturing company, Jakob's Basler Leckerly.

Which is better, securing financial stability or building something in the world? For those with the entrepreneurial gene, the answer is always ‘building something.’ Good thing Andreas Kuster inherited this gene when he needed to revitalize Europe’s oldest cookie manufacturing company, Jakob's Basler Leckerly.

Anne Eiting Klamar had not been groomed to succeed her father in the family business. In fact, she embarked on an entirely different career. But when it turned out she needed to run the family business, she stepped into her father’s shoes. And she quickly found out they didn’t fit her.

Anne Eiting Klamar had not been groomed to succeed her father in the family business. In fact, she embarked on an entirely different career. But when it turned out she needed to run the family business, she stepped into her father’s shoes. And she quickly found out they didn’t fit her.

Anne Eiting Klamar had not been groomed to succeed her father in the family business. In fact, she embarked on an entirely different career. But when it turned out she needed to run the family business, she stepped into her father’s shoes. And she quickly found out they didn’t fit her.

Through SEED Beauty, the Nelson family has disrupted both the traditional cosmetics company model and the notion of what it means to be a family in business.

Through SEED Beauty, the Nelson family has disrupted both the traditional cosmetics company model and the notion of what it means to be a family in business.

Through SEED Beauty, the Nelson family has disrupted both the traditional cosmetics company model and the notion of what it means to be a family in business.

Through SEED Beauty, the Nelson family has disrupted both the traditional cosmetics company model and the notion of what it means to be a family in business.

It’s extremely rare for a fifth-generation family business to still be in the same industry they started out in. So, how did an 88-year-old family business Schurz Communications leave the traditional communications industry without leaving any of their family members behind? They have to pivot, but as they did so, how did they make sure none of the family members get left behind? Todd Schurz of Schurz Communications describes his family’s successful transition to a new industry.

It’s extremely rare for a fifth-generation family business to still be in the same industry they started out in. So, how did an 88-year-old family business Schurz Communications leave the traditional communications industry without leaving any of their family members behind? They have to pivot, but as they did so, how did they make sure none of the family members get left behind? Todd Schurz of Schurz Communications describes his family’s successful transition to a new industry.

It’s extremely rare for a fifth-generation family business to still be in the same industry they started out in. So, how did an 88-year-old family business Schurz Communications leave the traditional communications industry without leaving any of their family members behind? They have to pivot, but as they did so, how did they make sure none of the family members get left behind? Todd Schurz of Schurz Communications describes his family’s successful transition to a new industry.

No matter how often we hear the phrase “unprecedented times” in reference to the coronavirus, fourth-generation family business Pella Corporation knows that they have seen times like these before. Chairman Adam Farver has dozens of examples of difficult situations and market downturns. Family businesses will lead the way through this not-unprecedented crisis.

No matter how often we hear the phrase “unprecedented times” in reference to the coronavirus, fourth-generation family business Pella Corporation knows that they have seen times like these before. Chairman Adam Farver has dozens of examples of difficult situations and market downturns. Family businesses will lead the way through this not-unprecedented crisis.

No matter how often we hear the phrase “unprecedented times” in reference to the coronavirus, fourth-generation family business Pella Corporation knows that they have seen times like these before. Chairman Adam Farver has dozens of examples of difficult situations and market downturns. Family businesses will lead the way through this not-unprecedented crisis.

Reviewers described Radio Flyer as “Americana on four wheels,” but just because it was beloved didn’t mean it would last forever. Soon after joining his multi-generational family owned business, Robert Pasin learned the company was in trouble. Though the company hadn’t changed, consumer preferences had. How could they gain a competitive advantage without losing everything that made Radio Flyer an iconic part of Americans’ childhood memories?

Reviewers described Radio Flyer as “Americana on four wheels,” but just because it was beloved didn’t mean it would last forever. Soon after joining his multi-generational family owned business, Robert Pasin learned the company was in trouble. Though the company hadn’t changed, consumer preferences had. How could they gain a competitive advantage without losing everything that made Radio Flyer an iconic part of Americans’ childhood memories?

Reviewers described Radio Flyer as “Americana on four wheels,” but just because it was beloved didn’t mean it would last forever. Soon after joining his multi-generational family owned business, Robert Pasin learned the company was in trouble. Though the company hadn’t changed, consumer preferences had. How could they gain a competitive advantage without losing everything that made Radio Flyer an iconic part of Americans’ childhood memories?

Coming June 14 2020 from Kellogg's Center for Family Enterprises and Esther Choy at Leadership Story Lab, Family IN Business features stories of leaders, their families, and the family enterprises they transformed. Storytelling is a great way to learn and be inspired. The stories you will hear from Family IN Business are the ones you can relate to, they might be battles you’re already fighting. These stories contain practical wisdom so that you don’t have to learn everything alone or the hard way.