Family ownership is often considered amongst the most sustainable ownership models. And yet, despite their many strengths, research shows that family-owned companies can struggle to find the right moment to innovate and “think out of the box”. WIFB met with expert Marijo Bos to ask her opinion on how family […]
Being a Working Mother in the Family Business
Interview with Rawan Issa, Issa Holding, Lebanon You have been with the family business for quite a while. How did you join the company and how has your career developed so far? I joined the family business in late 2006, in Dubai, and started by opening up a branch for […]
Transforming Family Relationships: How to Bury the Weapons and Show Appreciation
Maintaining good relationships between family members is no easy task and yet it is one of the most important ingredients to the success of a family firm. Family members who are in business together have to assume multiple roles (family, ownership, and management), and, therefore must pay close attention to […]
People and Pencils – The Mission of Caran d’Ache
Interview with Carole Hübscher, Chairwoman of Caran d’Ache Established in 1915, Caran d’Ache is one of the leading writing instrument and luxury stationery suppliers in the world. For nearly a century, the family-owned business has been at the forefront of innovation in its industry and has uniquely offered its international customer base […]
Philanthropy and the Family Business
Interview with Ana Maria Matallana-Boggio Ana Maria Matallana loves her country and lovingly spends half her time finding solutions to the social challenges faced by Colombians every day; even if she lives thousand of miles away. Aside from supporting her husband, involved in running a multi-generational family business, she is dedicated […]
Mercedes Salazar – Jewellery with Love
Mercedes Salazar is one of those women that seem to make it all work with relative ease: Career, marriage, and children are radiantly healthy examples of how this remarkable woman coordinates her life. We interviewed Mercedes to find out how she balances work, life, and love and produces jewelry that […]
Women Managing Family Governance
An Interview with Dania Besher What is your role in the Family Business? I am an Architect by profession and have always worked as a freelance Architect. This gave me the chance to take on many projects for the family. Since 2010, I have also been very focused on the Governance […]
All The Things You Thought You Knew
Core Concepts in Family Enterprise It’s hard to believe that although family enterprises go back for forever, the field itself is less than 30 years old! And the related professions are even younger. Still…there’s been considerable knowledge created thanks to scholars, advisors, consultants and enterprise members around the world. And… […]
On Family Business and Mentorship
Trinidad and Tobago brings to mind long beaches and clear, blue water. Patricia Ghany, CFO at Esau Oilfield Supply Company, and second-generation family business member, knows, however, that behind its natural beauty the island faces a range of challenges. More than a decade ago Patricia started observing that the role […]
The Significant Other – The Untapped Potential in the Family Business
Being married to someone who is part of a family business is not always easy. The fact is that family business members bring their problems and worries home and tend to try and find solace in their partners when things get complicated. Being at the receiving end of this relationship […]
Chari Cycles: How a Start Up Founded by Two Sisters is Funding Bicycles for Refugee Children
Rania and Zaina Kanaan spent a number of years studying abroad and working in various industries, before finding their calling in the dynamic world of entrepreneurship in their native Middle East. After co-founding an e-marketplace called Ananasa.com that helps thousands of artists from the MENA region sell their handmade crafts […]