Adam Raised a Cain

As long as we are on Springsteen, a reminder not to do this. I am sure you won’t.

But recently, there was an article in the Wall Street Journal (“A Young Generation Goes to Work for Mom and Dad Inc.” dated April 14, 2025) that talked about how many children of private business owners are going to work in their parent’s business. The article talks about how this trend is likely to accelerate as the kids find-out that the opportunities in and the conditions of today’s workplace ain’t what they might have imagined. This trend will also accelerate as business owners age and want to spend a little more time on the Ms. Mae and less time on Mr. Management.

What a blessing to have your own business and be able to invite your son, daughter and other family members to be a part of it. But it comes with a unique and sometimes difficult set of challenges:

1) Assessing your collective family skills and capabilities

2) Figuring out a way to teach them what they need to know

3) Assessing whether they can lead / run the business

4) Picking who does what when there are multiple family members involved and keeping it one, big happy family

5) Helping your family member(s) deal with the difficult task of being looked upon cynically by their colleagues as the “silver spoon” employee.

And the biggest question of all is (cue Weinberg drum solo): CAN YOU HANDLE IT? There are about 4,896 questions and issues enveloped in that one question and the best advice I can give is to plan ahead and seek wisdom. From spouses, friends, business, partners, etc. Difficulty factor aside, it is well worth trying to figure out if you want to give your kids one of the best gifts you can give them, your legacy.

Show a Little Faith