Keeping it in THE FAMILY

Ever thought - ‘wow, wouldn’t it be great to run a business with my family? We could work the hours we want, build our dream empire from our living room, and be our own bosses.

Or does the idea fill you with absolute dread?

We spoke to three members of the Made in Devon scheme about their experiences and what advice they have for those embarking on - or already enjoyingthis brave and exciting journey. madeindevon.org.uk pick up a lot of everything else: customer orders, marketing, admin, health & safety, HR (we now have two employees) …the list is endless in a small business but the variety keeps it fun and fresh. would say though that the hardest part of us working together is both being in the same place at the same time when it’s out of school hours. When we’re invited to an evening event or want to exhibit at a trade show or food festival that involves an overnight stay, my first thought is always ‘Who will help with the kids.’ We are both very grateful to some key friends and family who step in to have our backs. That said, some of the events we’ve been lucky enough to attend together through work have been really special and a great excuse for a ‘date night.’ know it wouldn’t be for everyone, but if you are a couple that can work together, I really would recommend it. It’s like having the ultimate business partner because everything you’re working towards in each aspect of your life is aligned. www.madeindevon.org.uk

My husband Tim and co-founded BarBuoy Cocktails together in 2020. Since then, we’ve given up our day jobs and run the business together full time.

1. Do you have different roles within the business? How did you decide on those?

It’s always been pretty clear who does what and who has which skillset for each element of the business. Tim is technically the ‘BarBuoy’ with a background in the drinks industry and events. He created our cocktail menu and was very clear on the ingredients he wanted to use and how he wanted to mix them. He also has great attention to detail for the brand and its execution. But most importantly, underneath his creativity, he weirdly has a love of numbers and spreadsheets which is essential for cash flow.

2. What advice do you have for running a business with your partner/ family member?

It feels impossible to not talk about work when we’re at home. And it’s often essential for being prepared for the next day. I used to think we had to try and leave everything BarBuoy-related at the front door but now don’t actually think it matters to have the odd work chat in the kitchen. In fact, some of our best ideas have come from a conversation we’ve had at home or on the beach away from our desks. We’re also quite partial to an ‘end of the week’ Margarita together on a Friday evening and it’s a great moment to reflect on what went well and what didn’t. Thankfully there’s no danger of letting it take over everything though as we have two children with pretty busy social lives themselves so there are plenty of topics of conversation in the house that involve very different subjects to cocktails!

3. Would you recommend it?

4. Anything else?

If I was brutally honest, I’d like Tim’s appetite to be more like mine. When it comes to lunchtime, I always seem to get hungry first, so go and make something / buy something and I feel obliged to offer to get Tim something too (and he always accepts!). I think if he was a work colleague that didn’t live with I’d be more likely to leave him to sort himself out! He just seems to have an ability to go until 2 or 3pm without breaking whereas from midday onwards I’m on borrowed time before get hangry!

My husband John and I started Powderkeg Brewery in 2014 and have run it together ever since.

1. Do you have different roles within the business? How did you decide on those?

Very much so. John was already a brewer and in the industry — he wrote the business plan while was working freelance to support the family and looking after our two small children. So naturally he took on the brewing and the facilities management and is very much the business brain. I have juggled the branding, art direction, marketing and PR, as well as keeping accounts and doing some HR and customer management.

We tend to work together on strategy as it’s crucial to bounce things off each other.

2. What advice do you have for running a business with your partner/ family member?

It works for us because we are not argumentative people, we get along well. If you have a fiery relationship it’s probably not for you, as the business could suffer, and any staff would end up in the middle of it.

I enjoy the pride our kids take in the business – they love to wear the branded hoodies and are always telling their teachers they should be drinking Powderkeg!

3. Would you recommend it?

Yes and no. It’s amazing having a shared vision and creating that together. When we won our first couple of big awards it felt so exhilarating, after all that hard work. But when you add that on top of having a family together, it can be a real stretch to manage everything. It can be hard not to talk shop at home – because generally, you both find it really interesting. And being together all day, every day, means you don’t get that enjoyment from meeting at dinner to ask about each other’s day – you already know everything that happened!

That’s why at the beginning of the year I accepted a part-time Arts Manager role at Exmouth Town Council (the kind of job I was in before). The business had reached a point where we had a great team so could cut back my hours there, and it’s refreshing to have my other line of work back up again but still be involved in Powderkeg.

I guess the answer is that balance is key, and business and family needs change over time so you have to constantly adapt.

We are a very small family: Izach is the Glass Blower and Steve and I are his business partners and general dogsbodies! Shaka, Izach’s real dog is the face of the business and our mascot. We are a new business, just 10 months in operation.

1. Do you have different roles within the business? How did you decide on those?

Izach is the glass artist, so he has all the hard work of creating and making the blown glass and sculpted pieces. All the rest, the general admin, marketing, sales, invoicing etc., are my responsibility along with learning to be Izach’s studio assistant. Steve is the reliable postie - making regular trips to the post office! After many years in a big corporation, it was obvious for me to handle the business side, while Steve does all of the running around.

2. What advice do you have for running a business with your partner/ family member?

For Steve and I, it’s a real joy to be able to not only see Izach at work, but also to help out as much as possible. After spending several years in the US, it was Covid that brought Izach back to the UK and lockdown that spurred us into setting up the studio in the garden. So, for mum and dad, having our son home is great. For Izach I’m sure working with parents daily brings its own special frustrations! He’s the boss and isn’t shy in letting us know how he wants things run - the tables have truly turned when it comes to who’s telling who what to do!

We are all learning new skills, it’s the first time we have run our own business and definitely the first time to be a glass blower’s assistant for me - a world away from my former office job!

3. Would you recommend it?

After nearly a year, in the most difficult operating environment (cost of living crisis, fuel prices), we are still here and having fun. We are building a good reputation, are seeing repeat customers, and receiving positive feedback, which makes it all worthwhile. It’s hard work, but spending this extra time together is a bonus we didn’t expect when we spent so long apart in different countries.

4. Any other advice?

Building a new business is not a sprint - it’s a marathon with an obstacle course thrown in. It takes all of us to keep it going and to keep a positive frame of mind that we will be successful in the long run.

Members of Made in Devon are all independent, Devon-based businesses, so naturally, many are family-run. One of the huge benefits of being part of the scheme is that it provides peace of mind that things are being done right - and no doubt saves a few arguments around the breakfast / boardroom table. All applicants go through a valuable audit process which includes advice from a government-employed Trading Standards Officer to help a business ensure it is legally compliant. They can answer questions about everything from sector-specific legislation to customer complaints and insurance. Ongoing access to this advice is free, along with other benefits including promotional opportunities and membership of a network of like-minded businesses.

Made in Devon is part of the national Buy With Confidence scheme which gives consumers the reassurance they are buying from local, legal, and honest companies and gives businesses an accreditation that they are Trading Standards Approved.