Love and Work: Finding One's Place in the Family Firm

The critical issues facing young adults from family businesses involve balancing responsibility to family with their own career aspirations. The Love and Work case helps students recognize that there are many ways other than full time employment for participating in their family business. Rena-a young MBA student from a business family-discusses the deeply emotional issues she faced as she was deciding whether to return to the family firm or seek her own career outside. The case study is structured to allow students to study her conflict and dilemmas, and project their own family business career issues. The final case segment is designed to help students recognize the many forms of important participation that a family business can create, including governance, ownership, and advising. Students' understanding of Rena's emotional struggle and resolution is enhanced by the accompanying 15-minute video interview available through the dedicated case website.