Charles and Michael Webster
Tell us more about how you started your band, Father & Son
Michael (son) and I (Charles/dad) have been playing music together for several years. We are one of several musical family permutations that include all the Webster kids and a musically inclined and talented mum. Music is a long-standing family tradition and allows us to express our father-son relationship. It’s provided a useful additional income source but remains a part-time venture.
I’m a vocalist and guitarist and Michael is an accomplished percussionist drummer taught by KZN Midlands legend Chris Melling, who has now emigrated. He grew up in a home where I’ve always been involved in music in some form, and where his older sisters were gigging with me from early on. His love of music is innate, and the progression from lessons to joining me for gigs was natural.
What roles do you each play in your band? Do your roles overlap or is it best to keep them separate?
For now, I have tended to find the gigs and do the negotiations. Michael is still studying, but as he moves into working life he will no doubt take an increasing role there.
What are the upsides of working together?
The amount of time we’ve spent playing music together informally and, obviously, our familial love for one another makes playing music for pay a far more rewarding and enjoyable enterprise, even if it’s a relatively small one.
Are there any downsides to working together? How do you navigate these challenges?
Family relationships have ups and downs which translate into relationship challenges in the musical contexts from time to time. But, we love playing music together. It’s something we can share, and the family bond makes the moments even more special.
What advice would you give other dad-and-son duos who want to go into business together?
Communicate, communicate, communicate. Don’t think that just because you’re doing business together you necessarily have a healthy business relationship. Mutual love and respect have to come from far deeper and more long-standing communication and relationship habits. But if those principles are there, doing business together can cement them and making money (especially when it’s done while having fun) becomes extra special.
Karren and Kelly Hodgkins
Tell us more about how you started Purple Mookiting
Purple Mookiting is a mum-and-daughter marketing duo. We have been operating in the KZN Midlands for 29 years. I (Karren/mom) have been in marketing for 44 years – 15 years in a corporate environment and the balance working with small-to-medium, privately-owned businesses. Kelly (daughter) grew up around the business. By high school, she knew this was the business for her.
Our different strengths complement each other and we have the nickname “KnK”. It’s true – you get the best of both of us! Our client profile strives to create a sense of family within their company culture, rather than a corporate environment. As a family business, we connect well with that.
What roles do you each play in your business? Do your roles overlap or is best to keep them separate?
For me (Karren), strategy and brand story creation are my passions. I also love to create the architecture and structure behind the brand to ensure the implementation has the most impact, best aligns with the vision for the brand, and eloquently communicates to the target market. I also enjoy copywriting. Kelly is passionate about marketing and particularly enjoys strategising, creative direction and social media.
What are the upsides of working together?
I grew up working with my mum. It is a privilege to share a passion with her and enjoy it together. We spend a lot of time together and because of that, we have a deeper relationship. We also know how to help each other and intuitively support one another. I have a partner I know I can be 100% vulnerable with which means I have a safe space to learn, experiment, fail and grow.
Are there any downsides to working together? How do you navigate these challenges?
Making sure we don’t keep working is the biggest one. We are always disciplined and boundary-orientated with each other – so saying “Are you still working?” or “Is this a working lunch or a break one” works well, as does “Just celebrate with me as a mum/daughter” if we don’t want to do a critical assessment of in-depth conversation.
What advice would you give other mom-and-daughter duos who want to go into business together?
Do it! Working together always gathers comments like “I could never work with my family member”. If it works for you, don’t listen to others.
Noel and Justin Otto
Tell us more about how you started Power Brahman
After 30 years in the retail industry, I (Noel/dad) wanted to follow my passion for farming cattle. Justin (son) had been working with me in the retail industry for three years when I got an offer from a listed company interested in purchasing my business. We now have a mixed farming operation with a Brahman Stud and commercial mixed herd and plant about 200 hectares of maize or soya. We also have a tourism aspect and are in the process of finishing our third cottage on the farm.
Justin and I have fished and hunted together since he was in nappies, so it was a natural progression that we wanted to share our passion for genetics and farming.
What roles do you each play in your business? Do your roles overlap or is best to keep them separate?
Justin is now in charge of the farm. We have a farming consultant, Emma Niland from Intelact Beef, who acts as a referee if there is friction between Justin and myself, assists us by listening to both sides and gives us an unbiased perspective.
What are the upsides of working together?
There is 100% trust and respect between us and we know that we are working towards the same goals with the same passion and integrity.
Are there any downsides to working together? How do you navigate any challenges that may arise?
There is a constant business environment and you have to value and respect family time. If there is unresolved conflict, it affects your business and personal relationships. For us, the game changer has been our independent consultant who understands the farming business and the dynamics of a family-run business.
What advice would you give other dad-and-son duos who want to go into business together?
Involve your children in all the decision-making. You are far more likely to reach your common goals if there has been input from both sides on how to achieve them. Right from day one, Justin has been a 10% shareholder in the business and my feeling is that it motivated him to know he has had “skin in the game” since inception. Once both parties honestly believe that it’s a huge privilege to work together and respect the boundaries and values of the family, it’s such an awesome place to be working in.
http://www.charleswebstermusic.co.za
http://www.purplemookiting.com
https://www.instagram.com/thefishermanscottage/
Photo – Michael: Namaste Photography
Photo – Charles: Kavo R Photography
Photo – Karren and Kelly: DESDOTDESIGNS