Why our family business flourishes

It can be dicey, the family business thing. The drama. The arguments. The sometimes, tragic and permanent damage. We’ve heard, but we haven’t experienced it. Sure, we’ve had our trials, but overall, it’s been a joy to have a father/son business.

We are here as witnesses to how a family-run business can be fun and financially successful. WoodHaven was created by me, the dad, more than 30 years ago; 16 years ago, my son Ryan joined me as an employee (he was 17 years old). Ten years ago, he became co-owner.

Other than being around him more often and having him as a partner, my favorite part of owning this business with him is watching him grow as a person.

One of the reasons we work so well together is we share common values — it’s made it easy to continue to hold the quality bar high as we take care of our customers. He didn’t have to step up to the plate or align himself with the commitment to integrity I have, but I’m so glad he did.

It’s not perfect, but it’s an amazing journey to share with my son. We always work out whatever challenges are placed before us. He works harder in many ways than I do these days. We’re not in the official stages of passing the torch, but I can see it on the distant edges of the horizon. I wish I could clone three of him.

The memories we’ve been able to share by being in business as father and son are ones we cherish. Our hats are off to those family-run business teams. The culture created in successful ones allows employees to feel part of the family — and customers often become friends as many of ours have.

We don’t take what we do and have for granted. Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! Special props to dads and sons and daughters making their family business flourish.