There are over 5 million family businesses in the UK. From traditional firms passed down through generations, to a new wave of family businesses, recently founded by brothers and sisters, parents and children, husbands and wives. Today, we meet the family businesses to watch in 2022.
As a sibling run business ourselves, family values are at the heart of everything we do at The British Blanket Company. Over the last six years of growing our small business, my brother and I have built a special kind of trust that’s even deeper than we had before working together. We’re always there for each other, working as a team and creating a business we can be truly proud of.
Read on to meet six fellow UK family businesses we admire. We’ll ask how they founded a company together, the advantages of running a business with family members, and how they overcome challenges while keeping their relationship strong.
Bethan Arora and Kate Wyatt: sisters, and co-founders of Boxlocal
What does your business do, in just one sentence?
Boxlocal provides gift hampers filled with local artisan treats from Bristol and surrounding areas - we are local, sustainable and charitable.
Introduce yourselves and your roles in the business
Bethan and Kate, we are sisters and joint company directors of Boxlocal. Whilst a lot of our responsibilities are shared (sales etc.) we have our own areas of specialism. Kate is largely focussed on operations and procurement, and I (Bethan) focus on marketing and communications.
How did you come to run a business together?
Kate initially set up the business in 2018 with significant growth taking place during lockdown. Following a career break in 2020, I lent Kate a helping hand packing Christmas orders. We discovered we worked incredibly well together, and I fell in love with the company and the vision. In January 2021, we decided to go into business together 50/50 and, in early February, we set Boxlocal up as a Limited Company.
How is being family an advantage when it comes to running your business?
We know each other inside out and are very much on the same page with our ideas and vision, so often, decisions get made quickly. We don’t get bogged down in work politics, we just want the best for each other and the business. That definitely comes through with everything we do. We are lucky in that we are similar enough to be on the same page but also very different in terms of our skill sets so we use that to our advantage - we know not all sisters could work together!
How do you approach any business disagreements without your relationship getting in the way?
Sensitively! We might be sisters (and strong personalities!), but we are very professional when it comes to anything business-related. Disagreements are handled objectively, and we try to take any emotion out of it. Of course, work becomes intense at times, but the way we tend to approach it is to take time working separately with our heads down and then we are refreshed and ready to reconnect with new ideas!
What are your top tip for others thinking of running a business with a family member?
Set boundaries and try to define your roles. Then regularly review your roles - they will be continually evolving, and sometimes things don’t go to plan. Keep checking in with each other to see what is and what isn’t working.
The Luck, Watts and Grant families, owners of Aldwick Estate vineyard
What does your business do, in just one sentence?
We are a family run wedding and events venue that includes a vineyard and working farm.
Introduce yourselves and your roles in the business
From left to right in the picture: My youngest son, Oliver Luck, he’s a student but works on vineyard tours and in the venue when home. William Luck, my eldest son, has worked in the venue over the years and is currently looking to join the army. My mum, Mary Watts, lived at Aldwick for 50 years and has now retired. My brother-in-law, Howard Grant is our wine manager and vineyard tour guide. Carole Grant, my sister is head of catering. I’m next, Sandy Luck, managing director. Last but not least is my daughter Jess. She can often be found helping out in the vineyard or working in the venue when she’s home from college.
How did you come to run a business together?
I took over the business in 2011 after the sudden loss of my brother, Chris, who died in an accident. Prior to this, I had been working with him at Aldwick, but only part-time. It was a real shock to have to suddenly take up the reins. The venue wasn’t even complete at this time and the vineyard had not long been planted.
The first few years were a real struggle but with the support of a fantastic friends and family network, I have built the business around my strengths with event management being one of them. Carole and Howard returned from living in Spain to be part of this. The vineyard was a steep learning curve for us all, but it has gone from strength to strength. I am very proud to be able to serve our guests that visit our amazing range of wines.
How is being family an advantage when it comes to running your business?
There is a lot more understanding and flexibility and we all go that extra mile to ensure we exceed visitors’ expectations. Everyone is very invested, and this shows in the care and attention that is given to our clients. I am very proud to show off the Estate and what we have achieved, and this is reflected in the lovely feedback from visitors.
How do you approach any business disagreements without your relationship getting in the way?
I try and keep everyone’s job responsibilities clear. We have regular meetings to discuss work and try not to discuss business outside of the working day (which sometimes can be quite long). I can’t say we really have any disagreements; we tend to talk over ideas and projects together. Their opinion really matters so we are always chatting about things and how they might work better. As a family we have always been very close, and this comes through in our working relationship as well.
What are your top tip for others thinking of running a business with a family member?
You must be good friends first and foremost.
Katherine Midgley and Seamus Green: married couple, and co-founders of Midgley Green
What does your business do, in just one sentence?
We sell British-made homewares from small batch independent makers; pottery, woodwork and textiles.
Introduce yourselves and your roles in the business…
Katherine (mother and wife - boss and creative visionary) Seamus father and husband - photographer, social output and chief packer), Malachy (son - handful) and Bailey (crazy cocker spaniel).
How did you come to run a business together?
We met at Falmouth University where we were studying Fine Art. Our lifestyle was amazing, we were essentially working for ourselves creating our own work, getting to the studio first thing, and leaving last thing in the evening. Our own art practices didn’t come to much post university but the drive to work for ourselves was instilled within us. This led us to setting up Midgley Green, starting online whilst we grew the business and then taking the step to opening a shop front in Clevedon, North Somerset. We may not be creating our own work now, but it does feel like we’ve come full circle back to the lifestyle we enjoyed in Falmouth; self-employed, putting in the hours, enjoying living by the coast.
How is being family an advantage when it comes to running your business?
We can bounce any ideas off each other without being self-conscious or worried about what each of us may say. We have total trust in one another. This kind of trust can of course we found in other workplaces but because we are family, it feels a little deeper. We will support any idea or decision wholeheartedly once we’ve agreed.
How do you approach any business disagreements without your relationship getting in the way?
That is tough. Being a family business, you are signing up to the fact there isn’t really much of a divide between work and life. So, with that in mind, disagreements happen in work and life, it's a fact.
What are your top tip for others thinking of running a business with a family member?
Have a frank and honest conversation about what each of you are good at, know your potential roles before committing. You are not applying for a role with a business, you are the business, so each of you will have to perform varied and different jobs to keep the wheels turning.
Marie Lavabre and Sophie Lavabre-Barrow: mother and daughter, and co-founders of KINN
What does your business do, in just one sentence…
We make certified vegan, natural, sustainable and eco-friendly cleaning and laundry care.
Introduce yourselves and your roles in the business…
We’re a mother and daughter team and co-founders of the business, Marie (Mother) is the CEO and Sophie (Daughter) is the CMO (chief marketing officer).
How did you come to run a business together?
When Sophie was at University, she kept on mentioning how cool the organic and vegan food scene was becoming, but how strange it was that while we cared so much about what we ate and put on our skin, the cleaning products we used and filled our homes with were so far behind. We come from a family of French lavender farmers, so making natural remedies was in our DNA. It took a lot of persuading but eventually, Marie agreed to take the idea seriously and we began working on KINN together, launching in 2017.
How is being family an advantage when it comes to running your business?
It certainly helps, because whilst your approach and experience might be different you are ultimately working towards the same goal as a family. This helps to resolve disagreements quickly but also gives room for more heated debate and discussion you might not have with a colleague.
How do you approach any business disagreements without your relationship getting in the way?
This was certainly more difficult in the beginning as it can be quite hard to shift the mother/daughter paradigm. But, as with anything, you learn over time how to compartmentalise the business from the relationship. I think having a “workspace” and “home space” that is separate from one another helps to create a healthy boundary, where you can be colleagues and family.
Your top tip for others thinking of running a business with a family member…
I would say to go for it, but also have an honest and upfront discussion about your expectations in the relationship and workwise. Make sure you also discuss your strengths and weaknesses, but also any areas you’d be keen to learn and grow in, so you don’t step on anyone’s toes or surprise anyone either!
Luke and Bethany Mildenhall-Ward: brother and sister, and co-founders of Board
What does your business do, in just one sentence…
Board is a board gaming restaurant, where families and friends can come to play hundreds of board games and enjoy our menu of food and drink while they’re there!
Introduce yourselves and your roles in the business…
We’re Luke and Bethany Mildenhall-Ward. We’re siblings and co-founders of Board. Luke looks after the customer side of things, marketing and the overall vision. Beth takes care of operations and our employees.
How did you come to run a business together?
I (Luke) had just come back from living in Toronto for three years where I’d come across a similar venue. It was really fun, and I thought the idea would work here, so suggested to Beth we bring it to the UK. We started as a pop-up shop in Exeter in 2015 and the idea was a hit. We were able to crowdfund and re-open permanently in 2016.
How is being family an advantage when it comes to running your business?
As brother and sister it’s very easy to be honest and straightforward about any problems or concerns in business. We’re also naturally on the same page about our vision for the company and which direction to take.
How do you approach any business disagreements without your relationship getting in the way?
It’s not always easy to disagree in an appropriate manner as siblings! But, as we’ve grown professionally and gone on to employ a staff of 14, we’ve learned to do it in a way that’s best for the business.
What are your top tip for others thinking of running a business with a family member?
It’s important to have written agreements and understandings of who is responsible for what in the business. Just because you are family it doesn’t mean you should skip the legal documents for running a business together. The last thing any family would want is to fall out over silly business reasons, yet it’s something we have unfortunately heard happen before.
Kerr Dunlop and Flo Broughton: father and daughter, and co-founders of Choc on Choc
What does your business do, in just one sentence…
We handmake the ordinary into amazing Belgian chocolate designs.
Introduce yourselves and your roles in the business…
I’m Flo Broughton, Chief Chocolate Lady. I look after marketing, sales, and ideas generation. My Father, Kerr Dunlop, is Chief Inventor, creating all the amazing chocolate moulds that we have.
How did you come to run a business together?
We started in 2003. I’d just finished university and Kerr had sold a previous business. We love chocolate and Dad had experimented creating some moulds and filling them with chocolates. It was never a plan to become what we have, we just love what we do. The passion and design are what’s grown the business.
How is being family an advantage when it comes to running your business?
We work very well together and can communicate quickly, without the need for endless meetings and jargon to get things done. We just get each other. We can also resolve any disagreements quicker with a quick rant… and then a hug and a cup of tea together!
How do you approach any business disagreements without your relationship getting in the way?
Generally, we don’t have business disagreements, more “where is this” and “why haven’t you done that” moments.
I run the business side, from staff, to sales, and numbers. I struggle with numbers and failed maths miserably at school, but numbers matter so much that I make myself understand them. I’ve realised that you can really do anything, but it must be purposeful.
Dad has run businesses before, so he has let me just crack on. Plus, it is exhausting and when you’re 78. The designs and moulds are like a hobby to him, until I come into the room!
What are your top tip for others thinking of running a business with a family member?
Know when and where not to talk about work. Dad and I forget this all too often, because we don’t see it as work. So, set boundaries and try very hard to separate the office from the supper table.
