All in th Family

If I had followed either of my parents’ career paths I would today be in the auto parts business (Dad) or working as a nurse (Mom). Instead, I decided to follow my own path and I became a writer. And of that I am glad because I have little interest in knowing anything about cars and I can’t stand needles. That tells me I would not have been much too successful in either of their chosen fields.

But following the career of a parent is not unusual in the glass industry. Actually, it’s quite common. Many glass shops and businesses are family owned and operated, passed down from father to son, father to son, father to … daughter? Yes daughter. A lot more businesses are now being passed on to daughters and these women are managing glass shops and contract-glazing firms.

I was lucky enough to spend time this past week talking to a few of these women who serve as president/CEO of contract glazing companies started by their fathers – Letitia Haley Barker from Haley-Greer in Dallas and Robyn McGinnis from Sierra Glass & Mirror in Las Vegas. I am not going to say anything else about them now, because you will be able to read more about them in an upcoming issue of USG. Patience, patience, patience, please.

Let’s talk more about the family business instead. There are so many out there and I’ve had the opportunity to visit and learn about a lot of them over the years. I think there’s something you find in a family business that you don’t necessarily find in a big corporation. Is it that people care more about the business? Do all the employees become part of the family, making them want to be a part of the business? For all you family businesses out there, what is it for you? What do you think are the distinguishing qualities of a family-owned glass business? Post your replies or send me an email.
Have a great weekend!