Seventy five years ago a young couple, soon to be a young family, launched a family business. Over the decades it took many forms, from sandwich shops to coin operated car washes to real estate development. Plus, of course, what we’d all call junkyards.
Today we call that small family business Goble Properties. And though that name only came into being about 40-years ago, it represents the ambitions of 75-years of hard work and investment. I run the company bearing that name today, but it has definitely been a family effort. Over the years my siblings, nieces, nephews, grandpa, aunts, uncles, children, and wife have all been involved. Also, of course, my parents.
Not many family businesses survive for long. Especially not after the founding generation. But for whatever reason – and there are many – Goble Properties has persevered.
Decades ago I read a book about how family businesses thrive. Outside of the obvious issues – good financial choices, timing, competency, etc. – there was a common denominator to almost all successful family business.
The secret? The family members of a successful family business had a shared set of values. This does not mean a shared faith or a shared vision. It was shared values about what was right, wrong, good, bad, fair, corrupt, etc.
I think this is true of our family business. We’ve had our disagreements, but rarely have those involved a disagreement about foundational values. Patience was a virtue as we talked things out. Trust was critical as we worked on problems together. Respect was just as important. The list goes on, but you get the idea.
We operated well together because undergirding our rationale for decisions was a shared set of values. I clearly remember the time in the junkyard my brother said to one of our employees, “Never trust anyone but your brother, and keep a sharp eye on him.” We all laughed — but there was a sense of truth. It could just has easily been “sister” or “father” or “mother”, but I was the one nearby so he mentioned his brother.
It seems silly, but that’s the kind of moment that makes you smile as a family member. I felt trusted — but watched, which is actually a great combination. Another time I remember saying that being able to sit with my family for dinner was more important than getting my way in a business decision. I’m not sure my family always believed that, but I sure tried! And they did too.
My father might never have been able to verbalize the importance of our shared values, but I bet he was aware of it and he certainly modeled it. My mother couldn’t then and wouldn’t now see her core values as central to our business, but she was undoubtedly a centering presence for all of us. In some ways we are just shadows of their respective strengths.
Well, thank you for allowing me to use this space to mark this season in our family. It’s been a joy and privilege to be part of Goble Properties. And far more importantly, I am thankful for my family.