Lessons Learned Running a Family Business

Having a family business is not unique. But what is unique for us, is how and why we do what we do. I come from generations of entrepreneurs and have watched my father build a business cleaning offices to provide for us. He also proved that ideas can become a reality that make a living.

As Vernon Jordan says, “You are where you are today because you stand on somebody’s shoulders. And wherever you are heading, you cannot get there by yourself. If you stand on the shoulders of others, you have a reciprocal responsibility to live your life so that others may stand on your shoulders.”

Through my father, I’ve learned what it takes to honor the commitment and sacrifices past generations have made so we can all have a better life. This history, and how it has shaped our work today makes up the foundation of A Team. I want my children and future generations impacted by the change we create now, to be able to stand on my shoulders. 

We are learning a lot about what it means to operate a family business, and I wanted to share our learnings with anyone who’s curious about working with their family or starting a business of their own with the people they care most about. 

Sharing Morals

We already share family morals and values that stem from our faith, lessons we have learned, and the principles we hold each other to. My husband Dean and I have raised our children to never forget where they come from, respect their elders, value differences, and to always speak their truth. What’s been neat is to see how this shows up in our work. We hold ourselves accountable to not judge people for where they are in their journeys of growth and understanding, for we have all started somewhere and with different access to resources. In striving for personal and collective growth, we hold our clients and our peers accountable the same way we hold ourselves accountable to learning from failure and committing to being better. Standing steadfast in our shared commitments has created a strong foundation and identity which A Team now represents.

Being Honest About Expectations

Having candid communication and boundaries are so important for healthy working relationships and maintaining mutual respect. It’s even more important when you work with family, and your priority is the health of your relationships with each other. It’s important to plan for how this translates to teamwork. As a family and a family business we choose to be transparent about finances, compensation, strategy (are we trying to scale, or deepen what we already do?), and what growth collectively looks like.

Being Intentional about Money

It’s about creating generational wealth. When we say this it doesn't mean we want to get richer for the sake of being richer. We want to make money so we can reinvest in our communities, and set up our kids and future generations to experience and take on anything they aspire to. This province and country have been shaped by segregation, oppression, and inequity - it has seeped into our laws, policies, and practices that contribute to the structural oppression of our Black communities. We have for too long been faced with survival instincts to rise out of poverty. A Black family business is a powerful pulling together of resources, wisdom, and perseverance - a combined family effort to shape an abundant life for ourselves - a life that honours our birthright. I know it is my responsibility to lead with integrity and to build this lasting legacy for my children.

Choosing collaboration over competition

One might assume that the challenge with launching any new business is being viewed as a potential competitor in your industry. However, we agree with Helen Keller in that “until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained.” It takes all of us who care. We believe that competing with ‘traditional competitors’ in our field may only stifle the shared vision we all have of a better future. We overcame the limiting belief of competition by operating as a collaborative consultancy, engaging and bringing in partners and subject matter experts to have the greatest impact possible.

My hope is that some of this has resonated with you, or has inspired you to consider what your legacy means to you. The greatest use of life is to spend it on something that will outlast it. If you have insights to share that have worked for you, or lessons learned from operating in a family business, please comment or share, I’d love to keep learning!!

Angela