Kim's Blog

A Family that Works Together…

Posted on May 5, 2010 at 07:06 AM

As our nation begins to look forward towards the recovery period, we will begin to assess the residual effects of this difficult time, both positive and negative.

I think we could all list some of the negatives because we have all experienced them in some way or another. Everyone knows someone who has been laid off or a family that is struggling. Each of us has a favorite retailer or restaurant that went out of business. For many of us, coupon clipping, once a casual pastime, has now become a necessity.

However, despite these many challenges, there is another more positive result that has come to my attention, too—a growing number of family-run startups. To a certain extent, it seems only natural. Imagine, for example, an uncle and his nephew sitting in the family room on Christmas Eve. A recent graduate, the nephew laments to his uncle about his inability to find a job. There is just nothing out there he says, nada. Then, the uncle confides that after 15 years at the same company, he has been laid off. A small severance package assures him some security for awhile, but he needs to figure out his next move. And suddenly, an idea is born. 

As many of you may know, Shakespeare Squared is a family business, too. Not only have I come to appreciate and value my employees like family members, but many of them are—my mother, two of my sister-in-laws, and my best friend from high school are all a part of the Shakespeare Squared team.

It may not always be easy, but it has truly been a remarkable and rewarding experience to work with people who you know that no matter what, they will always have your back. In good times and in bad, we are here for each other. And as I look ahead towards the recovery, I am grateful to be able to share these better times with all of them.