It Runs In The Family

As parents, working in such a family-oriented field is bound to blur lines between work and home - such a line is one that the Le Van family walk effortlessly…

Steve Le Van is the 2nd generation leader of Le Toy Van, working in complementary harmony with wife and Creative Director, Marie. 

The charm of Le Toy Van’s products flows through the duo effortlessly, as they share the business’ 30 year history (and exciting future) in this week’s It Runs In The Family!

This episode covers:

• The evolution of Le Toy Van over decades, adapting to the new age of toys
• Complementary skills and dynamics between Steve and Marie, balancing numerical prowess with creativity
• Tradition vs innovation in the toy industry
• How Steve and Marie manage home life with work life and parenthood, while working in an industry so close to their hearts
• The enduring appeal and adaptability of classic toys like the doll's house, and how they can span generations

Le Toy Van: https://letoyvan.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/letoyvantoys/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/le-toy-van/
Steve Le Van: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-le-van/
Marie Le Van: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-le-van-0a355b89/

Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/
Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

Dr Robert Graham’s story begins in a farmhouse, being born just one year after the inception of the business he’d go on to live and breathe.

Graham’s Family Dairy is over 70 years strong, and farming runs firmly in the family’s lineage, so how did a humble Scottish brand find themselves launching products in Dubai?

It’s a staggering story, which we hear from Dr Robert and his daughter, Carol, in this week’s It Runs In The Family!

This episode covers:

• The Graham family's 5 generations in their industry, and the challenges of succession
• Staying innovative and making bold decisions to grow the business
• Balancing family life with the business
• Evolving with the times, while staying true to your roots
• Alignment in family firms actually being easier at scale than in a smaller business

Graham’s Family Dairy
https://www.grahamsfamilydairy.com/
https://www.instagram.com/grahamsthefamilydairy/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/grahams-the-family-dairy/

Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/
Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

We were delighted to speak about growing family businesses through PR and reputation at the Northern Ireland Family Business Forum - wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall for that?

Luckily, this episode of ‘It Runs In The Family’ is exactly that! We looked back on 26 years of experience and expertise, our journey to this point, what PR means in today’s changing world, and our top tips for how to take your family business reputation to the next level.

This episode covers:

• The early stages of Liz’s career and the spark that started Liz Lean PR
• Why you should celebrate your milestones, and adapt to change
• The definition of PR, and its role in family firms
• Core pillars for a valuable reputation
• Our top tips for using PR and comms to boost your reputation

Liz Lean PR: https://www.lizleanpr.co.uk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/liz-lean-pr/
https://www.instagram.com/lizleanpr/

Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/
Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

Susie Cumming’s first venture into headhunting unveiled an awareness of the greatness that could be achieved when the whole family combines their skills…

Combining her entrepreneurialism with the creativity and analysis of sons Ned and Oliver has brought such success to their business Nurole, now under 2nd generation leadership!

The skills, the dynamic and the trust between these three is fascinating to observe, so join us as we dive deep with this family on It Runs In The Family.

This episode covers:

• Susie’s awareness to surround herself with complementary skill sets
• How cognitive diversity and external perspectives strengthen a business
• Handling differences in opinion with family and non-family members
• The trust working with family, knowing there’s no hidden agendas

Nurole: https://www.nurole.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/nurole/
Susie Cummings: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susie-cummings-nurole/
Ned Cummings: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nedcummings/
Oliver Cummings: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-cummings/

Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/
Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

Millwood is the only, and therefore the #1 B Corp in its field. For most, that’d be the dream, but Co-Owner Matt Wood wishes for the opposite…

That might sound counterintuitive, but for a business leader whose drive is purpose and impact (as with so many family firms), it reflects a dream synonymous with his values.

The 31 year story behind this inspirational 2nd generation firm is not to be missed - catch Matt’s journey on this week’s episode of ‘It Runs In The Family’!

This episode covers:

• The role of family-like relationships with non-family members in the growth of Millwood
• Family alignment, and how to defuse conflict
• Setting up The WoodMor Foundation, and a desire to have purpose beyond financial success
• The value of boundaries in business, particularly working with family

Millwood: https://www.millwood.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/millwoodfiresafety/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/millwood-servicing-ltd/
The WoodMor Foundation: https://woodmor.org/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-woodmor-foundation-c-i-c/
Matt Wood: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-wood-6187385b/

Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/
Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

The Avenue Cookery School has left its imprint on countless aspiring chefs, thanks in no small part to the full force of the Horsford family behind it.

Diana was joined by her children Richard and Sophie, who have elevated the school to new heights, and for a family with such energy, it’s a joy to explore their equally enrapturing journey in this week’s ‘It Runs In The Family’!

This episode covers:

• How the business took shape, particularly once involving the next generation
• Handling conflict in an ambitious, energetic family
• Managing communication to stay aligned, as both a business and a family unit
• Deciding when to heed your gut instinct, and when to ignore it

The Avenue Cookery School: https://theavenuecookeryschool.com/
https://www.instagram.com/avenuecookery/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-avenue-cookery-school/
Diana Horsford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diana-horsford-a8727157/
Richard Horsford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-horsford-17a732b2/
Sophie Shalgi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-shalgi/

Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/
Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

4 generations have seen a clock business with royalty among its customers become an iconic household name, and it’s Chloe Pestell at the helm of the 102 year old brand.

Stackers was born of parent company LC Designs, and with so much of Chloe’s family involved, it’s a fascinating dynamic that we’re able to explore in this week’s episode of It Runs In The Family!

This episode covers:

• The company’s fascinating work with royalty
• Working with so many family members still in the mix
• Proving yourself worthy in your own family’s business
• Chloe’s biggest mark on the business so far

Stackers: https://stackers.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mystackers/
Chloe Pestell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chloe-pestell-3077324a/

Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/
Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

There is no traditional dynamic between the Co-Founders of Humanness, but the way the father-son duo thrive together is an extraordinary story.

With a strive for purpose and contentment at their core, Quinn Stainfield-Bruce and his father, Duncan Bruce, have a unique outlook on the family business world brimming with mantras that’ll change your perspective on life itself.

Sounds dramatic, but from a business with Humanness in its name, you’d expect nothing less…

This episode covers:

• Whether consciously or unconsciously, parents set their kids up to join the family firm
• The formula for purpose
• Quinn and Duncan’s response to the ‘corporate pandemic’
• Finding real happiness not in pleasure, but contentment
• The role of trust with non-family members in the family business

Humanness: https://wearehumanness.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearehumanness/
Duncan Bruce: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-d-bruce-0272975/
Quinn Stainfield-Bruce: https://www.linkedin.com/in/quinn-stainfield-bruce-1522454/

Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/
Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

Sustainit Solutions exists thanks to the forward-thinking nature of its Founder - no wonder its 2nd gen CEO is just as cognizant of the family firm’s future…

Pip Stockford is this week’s special guest, and as one of the first families to spot the need for sustainability in business, we learn what makes them tick!

Join us on ‘It Runs In The Family’ to discover how the Stockford family keeps their name alive through the business, the trick to succession planning, and why keeping finances out of the family might be the best decision you ever make…

This episode covers:

• The 2nd generation experience in taking over a business already well-refined
• Great succession planning as a necessity for a business’ long lifespan
• The highs and lows of working with parents and extended families
• How Pip’s mum inspired her as she grew up by being a powerhouse
• Pip’s uniquely sage advice for business owners handling the financial side

Sustainit: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sustainit-solutions/
https://www.sustainitsolutions.com/
Pip Stockford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pipstockford/

Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/
Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/

Nothing can test a family bond quite like being in business together, a gauntlet run by the two generations who’ve helmed Frettens Solicitors.

Matthew Fretten is a Managing Partner whose path saw him join his father’s firm (the manner of which is a point of contention between the pair…), and the business’ journey has been far from simply smooth sailing.

Resilience is a quality shared by so many family businesses, and as you’ll hear on this fascinating episode of It Runs In The Family, Frettens is no exception.

This episode covers:

• Frettens’ inception, based on simple values
• The weight of taking on what a previous generation has built
• The complicated reality of retiring from a family business
• Why open communication and understanding different perspectives is vital for succession planning

Frettens Solicitors: https://www.frettens.co.uk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/frettens-solicitors/
https://www.instagram.com/frettens/
Matthew Fretten: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-fretten-6952b7/

Liz Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/lizzielean/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-willingham-09273a3/
Leila Willingham: https://www.instagram.com/leilawillingham/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/leila-willingham-821530a1/