Family-owned businesses are a major part of Washington's economy. In fact, recent data indicates that roughly one in three businesses in Washington is both small and family owned.
Bing in a family business sounds romantic, but what happens when the people you work with are also the people you grew up with? When the everyday decisions you make at work, can affect not only the bottom line, but the future of the family?
Join us for a candid panel discussion featuring successful family-business owners as they share the realities of building, growing and sustaining a business with family at the table.
We'll explore the unique advantages and challenges of the family-business path, including:
• Does shared history create greater trust and commitment?
• Do family businesses approach decision-making differently?
• How to navigate family relationships when business interests collide?
• Is it easier, or harder, to attract and retain talented employees?
• How do you separate family issues from business issues?
• What are the insights to be able pass the business to the next generation?
There are unique rewards, and unique challenges to being in business with the people you love.
Hear firsthand what works, what doesn't, and what family-business owners wish they had known before they started.
Join us October 22nd, for a fun, candid and fascinating conversation about family, business and what it takes to keep both moving forward.
Meet our Panelists:
Robert Wallace - Chairman - Wallace Properties Bob Wallace is Chairman of Wallace Properties, Inc., which he founded in 1977. He remains actively involved in commercial real estate investment, development, management and brokerage. Throughout his career, Bob has served as chairman of numerous prominent regional organizations, including the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Meydenbauer Center and Major League Baseball PFD (T-Mobile Park). In 2013, Bob and his wife, Joan, were inducted into the NAIOP Hall of Fame. A Seattle Pacific University graduate, Bob has also served on the boards of Premera Blue Cross, Puget Sound Bank, the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce and Bloodworks Northwest.
Linda Schoner - Owner - Schoner Interiors
Linda Schoener is the owner of Schoener Interiors, a full-service interior design firm and furniture showroom founded in 1976. What began as an upholstery workshop inspired by Linda's background in fashion design has grown into a thriving family business with locations in Lynnwood, Bellevue and Kirkland. With more than 50 years of experience, Linda has led projects ranging from residential and commercial spaces to luxury yachts, new construction and international specialty work. Her philosophy is simple: design built to last. Linda brings more than five decades of entrepreneurial experience, creative vision and family-business wisdom to the CEOtoCEO panel.
Brad Brotherton - Owner - Brotherton Cadillac Buick GMC Brad Brotherton is a fourth-generation car dealer and proud WSU graduate. Born in Walla Walla and raised in Seattle, he learned the family business from the ground up before joining his father full-time and purchasing the dealership in 2005. He expanded the business to include Buick and GMC alongside Cadillac and opened an additional Cadillac store in Shoreline in 2019. A past president of WSADA and Buick Dealer of the Year, Brad has also helped raise more than $10 million for Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. Today, his sons, both WSU graduates, have joined the dealership, representing the fifth generation.
