EPISODE 144
The Truth About Growing up in a Family Business
Microsode
Growing up in a family business shapes entrepreneurial mindset, work ethic, and leadership style.
Rachel Gogos imbibed this essence of entrepreneurship and work ethic from an early age.
With Greek immigrant parents running their own restaurants, she experienced firsthand the hustle and dedication required for success. From playing behind the counter as a child to working various roles in her teens, Rachel learned the ropes of business operations and customer service directly.
The family business instilled in her a strong sense of culture and community, emphasizing the importance of treating employees like family.
This familial atmosphere cultivated resilience and adaptability, essential traits for navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Drawing parallels between her family business and her own ventures, Rachel underscores the significance of exceptional customer service and a people-centric approach. Inspired by her father’s ethos, she prioritizes humility, empathy, and a hands-on leadership style in her business endeavors.
Quotes
“I remember going to the restaurant when I was just old enough to walk. And it was just part of our family tradition that every Sunday after church, we would go to the restaurant for breakfast. And I thought it was a lot of fun to play behind the counter and, you know, do all the things that happen at a restaurant.”
“Being the owner’s daughter also made it even more demanding, I would say, because the expectations were really, really high around work ethic. So there was never a second to sit down.”
“Our web agency is very customer service driven, all about white glove service, high touch. And that definitely comes from my days in the restaurant world, because your best marketing is a customer who’s going to say, ‘You got to try this restaurant!’ Right?”
“He [my father] has always taken care of his employees like family. Like he’s treated them like family, whether they needed to borrow money, they were in a different sort of difficult situation in their personal lives. He’s always been just kind of a father figure to many and, you know, protective of his team. And I think that creates a sense of loyalty, um, from the team. And I also think the customers felt it.”
“My parents always talked about the work day and the business and what needed to change or, you know, what went on that day. I remember feeling a little frustrated that our dinner conversation morphed to always being about work.”
“I think there’s very much a mindset when one opens a business. They have to believe with their whole body that what they’re creating is going to be successful. And what they need to do is pivot. If something isn’t working, you’ve got to pivot, but it doesn’t mean throw in the towel.”
“When you work in a family business, there is a legacy plan that often, not always, but often is in place just because you know there is a next generation to leave something to.”
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