Revisit EASA's 2022 Convention & Solutions Expo by buying access to recordings of the general sessions and education events streamed from EASA's website! These recordings provide almost 44 hours of training. Downloadable PDFs of slides and technical papers are included!

My business in Houston is now 25 years old. At this time I don't have any family members involved in it. And so this question has been on my mind lately:  Should I try to recruit family members?

I started my business in 1984 when my family and I were very young. Thinking back, I have no recollection of my expectations. I guess I thought I could support my young family better if I worked for myself. I'm sure I was also motivated by ego. It sounds cool to be a business owner. It really sounds cool when you are 27 years old.

I started the business with two other guys in the back room of a house with a total of $5,000 in capital. Looking back, I'm not sure how we made it. I know I could never do it again. Times have changed and the business niche we chose has evolved to the point that it would not be possible today - especially with such limited resources.

Long ago, I split with my original partners. My wife Liz and I have three daughters and a son, all of whom are grown. I'm not sure if any of them would ever want to work in the business, but I feel it's important to decide now if I ever want to pose that question to them and/or how I would react if they approach me on the subject first.