What It Really Takes to Run Multiple Businesses: Lessons from Our Family

The Power of a Good First Impression

One thing we all agreed on is how crucial first impressions are. Kim has this quirky habit of checking for fingerprints on doors whenever she walks into any business. Her mom drilled it into her, and now she does it without thinking. It’s such a small thing, but it speaks volumes. A clean, well-kept place tells customers you care about the details, and it makes them want to come back. It’s those tiny touches that can set you apart from the competition.

Fostering Employee Engagement

We also chatted a lot about employee engagement and the power of a positive attitude. Shirley pointed out how a simple smile from an employee can set the tone for the whole customer experience. Tom jumped in to emphasize that greeting customers warmly is more important than getting everything perfect. At the end of the day, happy employees make for happy customers. No matter how great your systems are, it’s the human connection that keeps people coming back.

Innovative Practices and Equipment

Kim has this cool habit of visiting other businesses to see what they’re doing right. She loves checking out the newest gadgets or efficient processes other places have rolled out. You can always learn something new, and bringing those insights back to your own business can be a game-changer. Whether it’s upgrading equipment or trying out a new workflow, there’s always room for improvement.

Efficient Operations and Regular Monitoring

Tom and I are big believers in staying hands-on with our businesses. Tom likes to walk through the resort, keeping an eye out for anything that needs fixing or improving. I love checking out our security camera feeds to see what’s happening in real-time. Regularly walking the floor and observing operations helps us catch issues early and keep everything running smoothly. It’s all about being proactive and staying engaged.

Encouraging Ownership Among Staff

One of the best parts of managing multiple businesses is celebrating our team’s successes and sharing best practices. Kim loves to sit in the lobby at Dairy Queen and watch the team in action, looking for why some teams work so well together. Sharing these successful strategies with other stores helps everyone improve. When employees feel like their hard work is noticed and appreciated, it creates a positive work environment and boosts overall performance.

Balancing Family and Business

Mixing family with business isn’t always easy, but it sure is rewarding. We’ve found that open communication and mutual respect go a long way. Each family member brings something unique to the table, which helps us cover all our bases. It’s all about supporting each other and celebrating our wins together, even when things get tough.

Blending family with business comes with its own set of challenges and joys. From maintaining operational excellence through keen observation to learning from competitors and implementing new strategies, we strive to balance both personal and professional lives. By celebrating successes and continually striving for improvement, we keep the dream alive.

For more insights and discussions, listen to the full episode on mixingfamilyandbusiness.com. If you have any topics you’d like us to cover or thoughts to share, email me at [email protected]. Until next time, keep striving for that balance between family and business!