Depending on what sources you refer to, 80 percent to 90 percent of all businesses in the United States are family owned. I think that trend holds true locally and may even range toward the higher percentage. The fact that the majority of our business community consists of family-run ventures doesn’t mean that being in the family business is easy. In fact, many entrepreneurial families will be quick to tell you that working with family is rewarding, but can also be challenging. [Read more...]
Business as usual in family firms
April 9, 2013 By
Family-owned businesses are an integral part of the economy and require hard work and determination on the part of family members who run them. [Read more...]
Keeping it in the family: Many north country business owners passing the torch to their offspring
April 5, 2013 By
Scott and Kelly Skinner and their daughter, Katie Skinner Youngs, in an aisle at their store. Photo by Amanda Morrison/NNY Business.
Operating a family business can be challenging and rewarding, yet at times, stressful and frustrating.
In many cases, families have to develop some type of “system” that allows them to work together during the day and still be talking to each other at night.
Several north country family businesses have not only made it work, but have been pretty successful at it. [Read more...]
A proud tradition: Fourth generation takes reins at Croghan Meat Market
April 5, 2013 By
John M. Campany and daughter Blaine E. stand behind the meat counter at Croghan Meat Market. Ms. Campany is purchasing the market from her parents, becoming the fourth-generation family member to produce Croghan Bologna. Photo by Justin Sorensen/NNY Business.
One of the north country’s most tightly guarded recipes is now in the hands of a new generation of family at Croghan Meat Market.
Blaine E. Campany, whose great-grandfather, Elmer “Buddy” Campany, purchased the market and the original recipe for Croghan Bologna in 1919, recently took the reins as general manager at the century-old store in the heart of the village’s downtown.
Ms. Campany, 23, is buying the business from her parents, plant owners John M. and Charmaine V. Campany. The move comes at a historic time for the Lewis County favorite as 2013 also is the market’s 125th year in operation, the past 94 by the Campany family. [Read more...]
Bruce funeral homes to stay in family
February 3, 2013 By
Jill C. Bruce-Wiley bought Hart & Bruce Funeral Home, Watertown, and Bruce Funeral Home, Black River, from her father, who has retired. Photo by Amanda Morrison/Watertown Daily Times
John P. “Jack” Bruce, 66, retired in December as the owner of two funeral homes that have stood the test of time: Hart & Bruce Funeral Home, 117 N. Massey St., and Bruce Funeral Home, 131 Maple St., Black River. But the funeral homes still will be in hands he trusts. [Read more...]
A ‘detail-oriented’ drive to succeed: Lunman’s Furniture marks six decades of sales in South Jeff area
March 26, 2012 By Leave a Comment
David H. Lunman in one of the kitchen displays that he designed inside of Lunman's Furniture showroom in Adams. Mr. Lunman was one of the first kitchen designers to use a computer for design work. Photo by Amanda Morrison.
Lunman’s Furniture and Appliance Center, 70 N. Main St., Adams, is celebrating its 60th year in business in southern Jefferson County.
Jack Lunman opened his store in 1952 on N. Main Street. At that time he sold Zenith television sets and appliances. Mr. Lunman retired in 1984, which opened the door for his son, David H., to take over full-time store ownership.
A family affair
February 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Multi-generational businesses are storied successes in NNY
The late Mort Backus, second from left, founder of the Mort Backus & Sons Inc. auto dealership, with his four sons, John, Patrick, Paul and Michael, in the 1980s.
By Kyle R. Hayes
NNY Business
For many well-established north country businesses, family means more than the occasional Sunday dinner and birthday party. For family businesses that have been passed down from generation to generation, the relationships built between mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers result in success, overcoming hurdles and optimism for the future.
In examining the innumerable amount of businesses run by families in Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties, it’s evident that a successful operation run by a single family can overcome just about anything: Recessions, depressions, fires and even the occasional bad idea. However, there’s one thing that all of these businesses have in common, and that’s their not-so-secret way of competing with big box retailers that they call their competition.
What’s the key to a successful business, according to these clans? Living and working among their clientele, knowing their customers by name and measuring up to the values and traditions instilled by the many generations that preceded them.