Three Lessons I've Learned from Running the Family Business

My upbringing instilled in me the values of hard work, accountability and the importance of earning your keep.?

When I took over as the president of Ahlum & Arbor in 2017, it was my chance to put those lessons I learned from my dad into practice.?

Getting Into the Family Business

Growing up in the company, I worked many weekends, summers and breaks to earn money and gain experience. However, I hadn't ever seriously considered joining the business. Despite founding Ahlum & Arbor, my dad never pushed me towards it; if anything, he steered me away from it and rarely discussed the possibility of me leading the business one day. Instead, he ingrained the value of hard work and perseverance.

Initially, I set my sights on the Coast Guard Academy to fly helicopters. After facing a setback due to color blindness, I redirected my path to mechanical and aeronautical engineering in West Virginia. After two years, I contemplated transferring to Arizona State or Ohio State. Influenced partly by my high school sweetheart still in Columbus, I eventually landed at Ohio State. Even during these transitions, I continued working weekends and summers at Ahlum & Arbor.

I still remember the moment, one summer, when a client questioned why I wasn't pursuing arboriculture full-time, causing me to reassess my goals. With guidance from my dad and family friend and mentor, Davis Sydnor, I switched majors to landscape horticulture, setting the stage for where I am today.

There are so many lessons I have learned throughout my time with the company.

Lesson One: Work Hard and Pay the Piper?

As a child, my dad had his own ways of teaching me the value of money and hard work. If I needed money on a Friday night, my dad would give me $20, but I’d have to earn it by working the next day on Saturday. This experience taught me that money doesn’t just appear; you have to earn it through effort and dedication.

I figured out what having a strong work ethic really meant, something I didn't fully get as a kid but now see as a big part of who I am.

Understanding the value of the dollar laid the groundwork for how to treat our employees. I acknowledge firsthand the effort and dedication required to make a living, and I carry that into interactions with my team. We work to foster a culture of appreciation for hard work, where employees are recognized and rewarded for their efforts.

Lesson Two: Quality Over Cost

My dad was very relaxed most of the time, but when it came to work, he expected perfection. He pushed team members to be their best selves and embrace growth opportunities that contribute to their success as well as the company as a whole.?

We’ve had team members become certified and appointed to respected positions as part of their growth and development. Our Consulting Arborist, Jose Fernandez, was appointed to the Ohio Chapter ISA board. In addition, one of our Consulting Arborists, Paul Hahn, obtained the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ). Over time, many of our employees have grown to start their own businesses, and several of our competitors today have roots that trace back to our company.

I'm proud that these lessons have impacted the company as a whole and that our employees are dedicated to their personal and professional growth. These achievements and so many others have moved our company forward.?

Lesson Three: Have a Support System Outside of Work

The third lesson I’ve learned is the importance of having a good support system outside of your work. My support system is my wife, Heather.?

I married my high school sweetheart, and she is my best friend and love. She has been there for me every step of the way. She asks the right questions and helps me see the bigger picture, including the one that matters most; our family. Running a family business can be intense, but their support inspires me to be my best in every role: husband, dad to two incredible kids and a leader.

My approach to life and business has been significantly shaped by the lessons I've learned along the way. Embrace the values of hard work, quality and having a strong support system, and I guarantee that you will succeed at whatever you decide to do.?