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Family-Run Small Businesses

The Heartbeat of America

Family Businesses Continuing in the tradition of Mother's Day and Father's Day, the U.S. Chamber will join our fellow Americans in honoring mothers and fathers and their vital role in our society. Many of these individuals also play a key part in driving our economy as owners and leaders of family-run small businesses, one of our economy's most important and celebrated industries. To submit a Family Business story, click here.

Featured

Wilson County News

Owner: Elaine Kolodziej

Location: Floresville, TX

Elaine Kolodziej began publishing the Wilson County News when its owner Peter J. Russo died Dec. 29, 1984. At that time, it was a little shopper with no assets, hidden debts, and no apparent future. Against all odds -- and her family's wishes -- Elaine pursued her vision of a "real" newspaper.

More Family-Run Small Business Stories

- Murphy Warehouse Company
  
  Owner: Murphy Family, Richard Murphy, Jr. as President and CEO
  
  Location: Minnesota
  
  Founded in 1904, Murphy Warehouse Company is a family-owned, full-service supply chain logistics company based in Minneapolis. Currently under their fourth-generation of family leadership, Murphy Warehouse is an exemplary corporate citizen to the broader community. Read More
- ARCpoint Labs Sacramento
  
  Owner: Jeff and Carol Hastings
  
  Location: Sacramento, CA
  
  Refugees from Corporate America, Carol and Jeff have been serial entrepreneurs since 1993. They started their latest venture in 2007. ARCpoint Labs helps employers provide drug-free workplaces. Read More
- Historic Marcy Store & Diner
  
  Owner: Cynthia Myers
  
  Location: Ohio
  
  There has been a store on this corner since the 1800's. Then it was the center of town for Marcy, OH. Although the present building was built in the 60's, Marcy continues to be a focal point in the community. Read More
- Hamilton Air Conditioning, Electric, and Plumbing, Inc.
  
  Owner: Thea Hamilton-Wiley
  
  Location: Texas
  
  Established in 1963, we are in our 49th year of providing Contract, Residential, Commercial, and 24-hour Plumbing, Electrical, and Air Conditioning services to the entire Rio Grande Valley of Texas. We provide commercial and residential service work in all three areas. Read More
- Fastframe
  
  Owner: Howard Rose
  
  Location: Virginia
  
  My wife Nancy has been the owner of Fastframe custom framing in Stafford county now for 11 years. Read More
- Hager's Farm Market
  
  Owner: Sandra Gaffey
  
  Location: Massachusetts
  
  They are a 5th generation family farm nestled in the foothills of the Berkshires, offering maple products (from their 13,000 taps), cheese, their own meat, produce, and much more. They bought the local farm stand, expanded it and offer other local products. Read More
- Val Vista Automotive
  
  Owner: Bo Friend
  
  Location: Arizona
  
  I began in business with my father in 1976. My father retired in 1986 and died a few years later. I have been at the same location in Mesa AZ since 1988. Read More
- Mixon Fruit Farms
  
  Owner: Janet Mixon
  
  Location: Florida
  
  Mixon Fruit Farms is a 73 year old family owned business. Dean Mixon is a third generation farmer and he and his wife Janet are the present owners. Read More
- Sumnu Marketing
  
  Owner: Shaundell Newsome
  
  Location: Nevada
  
  Sumnu Marketing is a family owned small business marketing firm with Shaundell Newsome, Tiara Newsome and Thomas Glover as owners and stakeholders in the company. Read More
- Taylor Dealerships
  
  Owner: Emily Huestis
  
  Location: Ohio
  
  We are a family owned and operated car dealership thats been in business for over 60 years; three generations of taylors have worked (and are currently) working at the dealership. Read More
- Fuller Enterprise-Krazy Candles
  
  Owner: Maria Fuller
  
  Location: Altoona WI
  
  We started making candles out of our home as a hobby and began giving gifts out to friends and family. We decided to try and run a small business making candles, tart melts, odor eliminators and more. That is when we decided to add a little flair by offering free gifts, give aways, rewards club to get our business really going. Read More
- Proteus On-Demand Facilities
  
  Owner: Ashley Wilson
  
  Location: Austell, GA
  
  Established in 2003, Proteus On-Demand Facilities, LLC provides temporary structural solutions to accommodate space limitations in the Premium Events, Emergency Response, and Semi-permanent industries. Located near Atlanta, Georgia, Proteus On-Demand is a family-owned and operated business which serves large corporations all over the world. Read More
- Palm Pavilion
  
  Owner: The Hamilton Family
  
  Location: Clearwater Beach, FL
  
  The landmark Palm Pavilion on the north part of the island was established 86 years ago (1926), not long after the bridge was built to Clearwater Beach. It wasn't until 1964, after lousy winter weather and years of repeated approaches that the owner acquiesced to Howard Hamilton, selling him the snack bar. Read More
- Seven B's V
  
  Owner: Jean Benn
  
  Location: Narragansett, RI
  
  The Seven B's V, is an 80 foot yacht, customized for small and large groups that like to fish in comfort, or for Private Charter. Family owned and operated. Capt. Russ Benn is a 45 year veteran of the waters around Point Judith and a 3rd, generation "Benn" to have his captain's license. Read More
- Lowitt Alarms & Security Systems. Inc.
  
  Owner: Peter Lowitt
  
  Location: Syosset, NY
  
  Lowitt Alarms & Security Systems is the major alarm company on Long Island. It services thousands of homes, restaurants, and corporations on Long Island and nationwide - all while being started from scratch only a few decades ago. Read More
- Wyatt Technology Corporation
  
  Owner: The Wyatt Family
  
  Location: Santa Barbara, CA
  
  Wyatt Technology was founded in 1982 by Philip Wyatt on the strength of a $50,000 Small Business Innovative Research Grant (SBIR). Joined by his oldest son Geof, in 1983, and later by his son Cliff in the mid-1990's, Wyatt Technology has become the world leader in laser-based instruments for biotechnology and pharmaceutical applications of proteins, polymers and nano-particles in solution.
  Read More
- The Dance Factory
  
  Owner: Erin Reilly
  
  Location: Attleboro, MA
  
  In 2004 I opened The Dance Factory in Attleboro Massachusetts, which I own and run with the love and support of my family. The Dance Factory is an asset to the city of Attleboro. We help the development of self esteem and self confidence in people of all ages. Read More
- Murphy Warehouse Company
  
  Owner: Richard T. Murphy
  
  Location: Minneapolis, MN
  
  Founded in 1904, Murphy Warehouse Company is a family-owned, full-service supply chain logistics company based in Minneapolis. Currently under their fourth-generation of family leadership, Murphy Warehouse is an exemplary corporate citizen to the broader community. Read More
- Creative Sewing By Sindy
  
  Owner: Sindy and Don Burgess
  
  Location: Gastonia, NC
  
  Over twenty in years interior design experience in window treatments and bedding,cushions, ect. Design and installations. all work is done in our work shop in our home. And on location. Up to multi-millon dollar homes along with commercial and industrial. No job too big or small! If you can dream it we can do it! Read More
- Lariat Lanes
  
  Owner: Brandi James
  
  Location: Minnesota
  
  Lariat Lanes has been a family owned and operated 12 lane bowling alley in Richfield, MN since 1958. The Powers family who have owned the company since the mid 80's have been wonderful to work for. Read More
- MRC Plumbing & Heating LLC
  
  Owner: Michael Rowzee
  
  Location: Virginia
  
  We started MRC because we felt there was a need in our community for a plumbing business that could offer quality plumbing but at a resonable rate. Read More
- Hannaher's
  
  Owner: Paul Hannaher
  
  Location: North Dakota
  
  Hannaher's is an office environment solutions company located in Fargo, North Dakota. Hannaher's was founded in 1959 by Thomas P. Hannaher after he bought the business from it's founder who started the business in 1939. Read More
- MZM Farm, LLP
  
  Owner: Stephen Zauner
  
  Location: Washington
  
  Having started out of necessity in 2003, the MZM Farm has raised chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, goats, beef cattle, etc. and has sold only to LOCAL stores fronts, farmers markets. Read More
- Venergy Group
  
  Owner: Barbara Goransson
  
  Location: Florida
  
  Venergy Group has been a true life saver! As the economy made a turn for the worst in 2008 a new company was started and focused on the core values that I was raised on and more importantly believed in hiring good people for it to be a successful organization. Read More