 Many women enjoy carving out their own niche in today’s workplace. While many women can’t wait to follow their own paths, some have followed in their mother’s footsteps—or stood at their mother's side—instead. Interestingly, what four mother-daughter teams have learned about working with each other can also apply to the business relationships women have with Fate or fabulousness?
A business partnership was not always the original plan from the beginning:
• Au Lit Fine Linens: Joanna Goodman always wanted to write. But when she helped her mother, Peggy Byron, launch her store in Toronto, she fell in love “with the creative side of the business”—and was able to get her novels published in her spare time.
• Coco Napoleon: Kathryn and Marion Walker both had different original career paths, but share the same love for animals. It was Kathryn who suggested that she and her mother go into the business of creating high quality clothing for pets.
• Feel At Home Interior Redesign: Sandi and Andraya Gerrard always loved to work together. When Sandi started her business she incorporated her daughter’s artistic abilities into services that she could offer clients.
• Pinks and Blues: Sharon Couto and her daughters Audrey McClelland and Jane Porricelli “never did NOT want to work together”—but after Sharon and Audrey published a book on preconception health, it eventually led to the formation of their company.
Who’s the boss?
Joanna Goodman has an energetic “let’s do it now” personality, which is a direct contrast to Peggy Byron, who likes to absorb, ponder and be meticulous. Neither mother nor daughter can agree on who makes the rules in their partnership, as both designed collections, went on purchasing trips and brainstormed solutions for taking their family-run shop “to new heights.”
Kathryn Walker likes to be organized, keeping lists or storing things in containers, whereas Marion keeps her ideas in her head. Yet they also make business decisions together, emphasizing the importance of communication and trust, and a good working relationship. “You have to like being around the other person,” says Kathryn, as she and her mom are together 24 hours a day, both thinking along the same lines in their pet-centric business.
Sandi Gerrard is in charge of planning consultations and organizing the supplies, but when it comes to painting a mural on the job site, Andraya is in charge. Sometimes Sandi tidies up things a bit too much, which disturbs Andraya’s “creative process” at times. Yet by learning from each other, in both business and on a personal level, they are able to achieve their goals.
And in the Pinks and Blues team, it’s Audrey who schedules and organizes things. “The main challenges have been time-related,” says Jane Porricelli, as all three women have constant ideas flowing, each bringing different skills to the business, such as: Sharon’s editing and financial skills; Audrey’s scheduling and writing abilities; and Jane’s communication and research skills. They all get help from dad/husband Barry, who, according to Jane, “always has a solution…to help us overcome whatever time challenge we are facing.”
Secrets behind their successes
“The most important thing I’ve learned is the passion,” says Joanna, for it was mother Peggy who taught her everything she knew about business—from making beds to “building an empire with nothing more than passion and determination.” Peggy, in turn, says she learned to delegate a bit from her daughter, stating that “I learn something new from her every day!”
The Walkers relied on gut instinct to help get their company name out there, having gone through trial and error and even hiring a business advisor to help guide them. “We have learned to be very resourceful with how to promote ourselves,” says Marion. They learned to “be flexible and listen to the advice of others,” and to evaluate every decision made in order to proceed. Kathryn also learned much from her mother about patterns, fabrics, and designing while in the business.
Sandi Gerrard has always believed that it’s important to maintain your sense of humour in any situation. And she also tries to “keep the business issues separate from the personal relationship—especially in front of the client.” Andraya, in turn, taught Sandi how “to slow down and appreciate the little things,” while Andraya says that “Mom has taught me to be professional and to promote myself…to always believe in myself and think big.”
According to Jane, it’s important to “take your passion and turn it into your work.” Each member on the team, no matter what the size, needs to contribute her skills; have respect for other’s ideas and needs; and be flexible. Audrey believes that you must “100% love what you’re doing and who you’re working with.” And Sharon says that her daughters “are able to bring humour and laughter to any situation.”
So who knows best?
In all four teams, both mothers and daughters contributed ideas and solutions, and learned new things from each other. In the end, they all “know best”—and women planning to launch a venture, build better business relationships or even partner up with a family member can benefit from their advice.
For more information on the companies mentioned in this article, please visit:
Au Lit Fine Linens at www.aulitfinelinens.com
Coco Napoleon at www.coconapoleon.com
Feel At Home Interior Redesign at www.sandiathome.com
Pinks and Blues at www.pinksandblues.com
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