Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

For years, I resisted hiring family members to work in my various businesses, because I`d heard the horror stories about working with your family.

Well last year, I finally gave in and hired my sister to do my books, and I couldn`t be happier. She`s a conscientious and hard worker and we get along beautifully.

What about you? Do you or have you ever worked with members of your family? How did it work out?

Dale King

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It does depend on the family and family member.

I personally would not hire a family member as employee - if I were considering hiring employees.  It would drive me crazy to work that closely with a family member on a daily basis.

Still, my sister and I worked very well together for over a decade while she used my services as a graphic designer and art director for her public relations and advertising firm.  The main reason for the success was that we didn`t do business in any other manner than that of a usual vendor and client.

I know many families that work well together in family businesses. I know other situations that are constantly a nightmare for all involved.

I (somewhat) jokingly always tell other graphic designers that they should charge double when working with family or friends - they will most likely earn every cent in the process of executing a project.

- J.



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Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!

I hired my wife`s cousin as my office manager 3 years ago. It`s working out great. I feel that if your relatives are hard workers, they are the best to hire. We all know which people in our family are slackers, avoid those.You know you can trust the one`s with their heads on straight, and that goes a long way! Just make sure you treat them just like everyone else when it comes to reviews, trainings, and raises....

I tried to hire my sister for child care.

She can apparently show up to Starbucks reliably for $2 less an hour, but can`t seem to make it to work over here!

Teens!

I always wondered if I could work with my husband. We`re really different. I might have to just launch a company for him and then hand it over though ... easier than having to be with him 24 hours a day!!!

I help run my husband`s company and it can be quite difficult at times. We do things very differently. He is good at what he does talent wise (he has a landscape design/build firm), but business wise he doesn`t seem to put so much effort in the "not so fun" stuff. I have to always remind him that there are things that must be not only accomplished but ontime, otherwise it can cause a big headache, i usually have to fix. On the other hand, he is better at sales than I am (because i hate taking money from folks...) and he is also much better at designing and building an outdoor oasis......!! My attempts in design are one of those things that when you design and implement....you think " wow i did great", and 2 days later...i am like, what was I thinking. Definately not good at designing for my house, my clothes etc....Hey my sister is good at that, maybe that is something I would consider hiring a family member for. As for my business`s , I would keep most family out of it. My sister in law is interested in being one of my assistants and she would get to work from home and I trust that she would do a geat job. We all know how "family" goes, so for my family, i would say NOWAY! My husband`s family (besides sil) does not really use a computer nor are the most business savvy, so nay on them too. Gosh and would any of them want to work with me???? That is the real question.

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Our Goal Is Your Success!
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Oh yeah, that too.

I`m a slavedriver!

Funny Nicole...it is just that syndrome...thinking that everyone will do things the way you would do that...i definately have to remember that there is only 1 me.... different but me:)

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Our Goal Is Your Success!
Founder Girls with Goals