Family Business Profiles

Positive and inspiring stories about family businesses...

Our new Family Business Profiles section is inspired partly because you can rarely pick up a newspaper or business magazine without reading another “gloom and doom” article about family-owned businesses. The media loves to publish stories about family businesses that are self-destructing and family relationships that have run amok. The juicier the better, it seems.

After we read these stories, we wonder how families can get themselves into such difficult and sometimes irreversible circumstances. Then we take a deep breath and try to convince ourselves that nothing like that will ever happen to our family business. But it’s too late. The seed has been planted, and we are discouraged by the stories of failure.

On the other hand, success stories are likely to generate a much more positive response. Stories about families that have weathered storms and prospered can give us inspiration, encouragement and insight into our own situations. Family businesses have always been quick to seize a new idea or concept and adapt it for our own.

With that in mind, we have decided to add a new feature to our web site and e-zine, Understanding Family Business . Here are the stories of real family businesses whose experiences will provide readers with insights and examples of some of the family business strategies that worked for them.

For this series to be all it can be, we would like your help. If you are a family-owned business and would like your story profiled in Understanding Family Business, please let us know by using our Family Business Profile Questionnaire contact form. The questionnaire asks about your business and is the background basis for our family business histories writer, Phillip Bellury, to contact you for a 10-15 minute interview. Once a first draft of the profile is completed, a copy will be sent to you for final editing and to make sure your story is accurate.

It’s that easy for you to be part of our Family Business Profiles here and in our e-zine. Your family business profile may be an inspiration to other family businesses, and the free publicity could also be helpful to your business.

If you are a professional service provider and would like to nominate one of your client's Family Business Profile, let us know using the same Family Business Profile Questionnaire form and we will be happy to recognize their success.

Don Schwerzler

Worcester Wreath Company
Worcester Wreath Company shows us the value of seeing opportunity in crisis and the advantage of acting on a good idea when it comes along.

Oreck Corporation
Oreck Corporation's headquarters and Mississippi plant were devastated by the 2005 hurricane Katrina. But family spirit was the catalyst that let them resume full operations in a phenomenal ten days. Read their fascinating story.

Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc.
Rumpke Consolidated Companies, Inc. - over 2000 employees, 75 family members active - has mastered turning negative perceptions into positive opportunities. Learn how a high degree of integrity is key to their success.

The ABANS Group
The ABANS Group of Sri Lanka uses quick reflexes and a sense of commitment to capitalize on opportunity out of crisis. Now they are strengthening by becoming more customer and strategy driven.

Hobart Cabinet Company
Marty Hobart, President of Hobart Cabinet Company, is still inspired by the genius and entrepreneurial spirit of his great-grandfather, but he is just as proud of the difference Hobart family members and companies have made in their respective communities.

PlastiComm Industries
PlastiComm Industries' family and business philosophy is all about quality and putting customers first. Learn about the sons' outside experience and its benefits for succession, family and clients.

Caribbean Shipping Services
Caribbean Shipping Services became an Inc. Magazine fastest-growing inner city business by discovering and servicing a niche. Learn how keeping an eye on the future is a secret to their success.

Cooper Music
Cooper Music's fourth generation owners are about to celebrate 100 years in business. Learn how they balance maintaining a legacy while embracing change.

Ornelas Enterprises
Ornelas Enterprises has grown into a profitable, fast-growing, family owned contract electronic manufacturing company.

Alexandra Scott
Alexandra Scott was one incredible little girl. We profile her because she showed so much of what families and family business are all about.

Wegner Auto Company
Wegner Auto Company relies on leadership and innovation to adapt, survive and prosper - and they've been doing it for 98 years.

Security Signs
Security Signs' Keljos of Portland OR have solid family and working relationships and share a strong work ethic.

Baxa Corporation
Baxa Corporation's Brian Baldwin and his sons are a family business success story. Their individual expertise and the roles they play in the company are a perfect fit and create the ideal family business synergy.

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Understanding Family Business e-zine.

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