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Go Figure

Published April 16, 2020 |

Recent studies show family business women in North America are still waiting for the chance to take a seat at the head of the table.In a 2014 Ernst & Young survey of 525 of largest global fam...

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Strategic responses to COVID-19 upheaval

Published April 13, 2020 Peter Begalla |

As family firms have responded to the economic upheaval caused by the spread of COVID-19 to the United States, we’ve observed the following principles in operation:• Transparency. Business leaders...

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COVID-19 requires changes in plans for business and family

Published April 13, 2020 Barbara Spector |

Family businesses have adjusted their business and family governance practices to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic.Bush Brothers & Company, the Knoxville, Tenn., maker of BUSH’S BEST brand canned ...

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Highlights helps parents during pandemic

Published April 6, 2020 Barbara Spector |

As the coronavirus spread throughout the United States, schools nationwide were closed. Suddenly and unexpectedly, millions of parents became homeschoolers. Highlights for Children Inc., the venerable...

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Third-generation CEO grapples with a ‘double whammy’

Published April 6, 2020 Barbara Spector |

Mull Drilling Company, an independent oil and gas company based in Wichita, Kan., has been hit by “a double whammy,” says third-generation CEO Jennifer Mull Neuhaus.COVID-19 has lowered demand for...

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Helping you navigate through this crisis

Published March 30, 2020 |

As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world with devastating effects, first and foremost, we are focusing on the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees, families, customers and communities...

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Media laud family firms' COVID-19 responses

Published March 30, 2020 |

Family-controlled and family-owned companies’ responses to the COVID-19 pandemic are receiving media attention.Tim Boyle, president and CEO of publicly traded, family-controlled Columbia Sportswear,...

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Survival strategies to navigate your family business through the pandemic

Published March 30, 2020 George A. Isaac |

Family businesses are the backbone of our U.S. economy. Yet many are in serious jeopardy due to the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic. Most businesses are now experiencing significant revenue decreas...

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Family-owned store chain donates supplies to hospitals

Published March 30, 2020 Margaret Steen |

As the COVID-19 pandemic grew, nationwide retailer Harbor Freight Tools removed protective gear that could be used by medical professionals from its shelves and distribution centers. Then the company,...

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Values-based COVID-19 employee communications

Published March 24, 2020 |

During the first three weeks of March, Paul Darley, third-generation president, CEO and chairman of W.S. Darley & Co., kept a watchful eye on the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.The company, fo...

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At the Dawn of a New Century

Published March 23, 2020 April Hall | Feature Article

The Jones family is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Dawn Foods this year, but they weren’t always bakers. The family entered the business in 1935, when patriarch Marlin Jones joined Dawn Donut ...

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Gender parity in family business: How long till we get there?

Published March 23, 2020 Barbara Spector | Feature Article

When Charlotte Lamp was growing up in the 1950s and ’60s, no female family members worked in her family’s business, Port Blakely. The company, which is based in the Pacific Northwest and has been ...

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A fresh start

Published March 23, 2020 Barbara Spector | Feature Article

If you’ve ever bought bread from a grocery store, you’ve probably noticed the plastic clip that closes the packaging. You may not realize that a family business — Kwik Lok Corporation, founded i...

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Does your board of directors have an old boys'/girls' club problem?

Published March 23, 2020 William B. Goodspeed | Advisers

The board selection process in family companies at times can appear rigged to perpetuate incumbent directors. Is this a good or a bad phenomenon? That depends on many factors.Imagine the frustration o...

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On the distaff side

Published March 23, 2020 Barbara Spector | Departments

In March, the United States celebrates Women’s History Month with exhibits, scholarship and events at the Smithsonian Institution, the Library of Congress, the National Archives and other federal in...

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Powerful in pink

Published March 23, 2020 Caro U, Rock | Departments

In recognition of the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in America, Family Business is dedicating this issue to strong female leaders. I count my grandmother among them. In fact, Grandma Selma, ...

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March/April 2020 Family Matters

Published March 23, 2020 | Departments

Robert Matthews (Matt) Beall III has been named CEO of Bradenton, Fla.-based retailer Beall’s Inc.Beall is the great-grandson of Robert Matthews Beall Sr., who founded the company in 1915. As a stud...

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Dueling Perspectives: Kathy Munson and Jill Jensen

Published March 23, 2020 Barbara Spector | Departments

Crescent Electric Supply of East Dubuque, Ill., was founded in 1919 by Titus B. Schmid. The Schmid family is now in its fifth generation. At the time of the company’s centennial celebration last yea...

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At the Helm: Patricia Walllwork

Published March 23, 2020 Patricia Olsen | Departments

Generation of family ownership: Third.Revenue: More than $135 million.Number of employees: Over 500.Years with the company: 16.First job at this company: In high school, I worked in the plant washing ...

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Celebration Corner: Zoeller Company's 80th anniversary

Published March 23, 2020 Barbara Spector | Departments

The Business: August “Pop” Zoeller started designing and building pedestal sump pumps in the basement of his Louisville, Ky., home in 1939. The business operated from there until 1949, when he mov...

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