Fatherly Advice on Nurturing a Passion for Your Work and the Importance of Leading by Example
Franchising has created the ultimate family business for countless people. Throughout the industry, you can find several generations working together in many capacities: as franchisees, franchisors, franchise consultants, and franchise vendors.
In honor of Father’s Day, we talked to several franchise pros who have sparked the entrepreneurial bug in their children. They have led by example and, in turn, have received the greatest gift a father in this industry could receive: a child who shares their passion for franchising and entrepreneurship.
We start with franchise legend and Edible founder Tariq Farid. He began his own entrepreneurial journey at age 17, when he used a $5,000 loan from his parents and family friends to purchase a local flower shop. After a successful run, he parlayed that experience and launched the first Edible Arrangements® store in 1999. Since then, he has grown the business into a booming franchise system with more than 1,200 stores worldwide.
Tariq’s daughter Somia Farid Silber (above) started working alongside her father in the Edible stores at a very young age. She now holds a leadership position as Vice President of eCommerce for the brand. With a sense of awe, Tariq has watched Somia develop and elevate the business beyond anything he could have imagined.
Tariq Farid, Founder & CEO of Edible®
It is through leading by example that we cement our legacies.
Tariq Farid
What have you taught your children about entrepreneurship?
My kids have learned about entrepreneurship in the best way possible, and that is by living it. I firmly believe that the entrepreneurial spirit really isn’t something you can teach but rather something ingrained in you through action and aspiration. My children have grown up watching me open, operate, and grow my businesses, and they’ve supported me at every stage of the process. As they’ve grown, my children have paved their own paths for honing their entrepreneurial skills through education and various professional endeavors, but having a front-row seat to watch me navigate entrepreneurship myself is a unique, hands-on learning experience that so many other entrepreneurs and I are grateful to have shared with our families.
Why is leading by example so important?
My grandfather once told me that it is the duty of our elders to teach us in four years what generations before us learned in 40 years, and that accelerated learning requires action from all parties. It is through leading by example that we cement our legacies, and the desire to leave a legacy that sets our families up for success is what drives so many of us to pursue entrepreneurship in the first place. Because my kids watched me run my businesses at every level – from the storefronts, to the corporate office, to the early days of each new business I’ve launched – they have a solid foundation to follow and build on with their own experiences.
Watching Somia bring Edible to a level I never envisioned is the epitome of success for me.
Tariq Farid
What does working with your daughter mean to you?
When Somia first joined our Edible team in a full-time leadership position, I was filled with pride at the fact that I played a role in raising such an exceptional business professional. Over time, that pride has transitioned into a sense of awe at how much she’s elevated the business beyond anything I could have taught her. Watching Somia bring Edible to a level I never envisioned is the epitome of success for me. I started this company as a family business, and as much as it’s grown and transformed over the years, there’s still a continuity there behind which my own daughter is a driving force. I couldn’t imagine a better reward for all of our hard work, or a better legacy for my family.
Geoff Seiber, CEO at FranFund
It is every parent’s dream at some time in their life to work with their kid.
Geoff Seiber
What have you taught your children about entrepreneurship?
Our son Tim has grown up living the life of an entrepreneur. Tim has observed various enterprises, business opportunities, and investments, and as he got older, began to understand the value of being in business by yourself. One thing is clear; entrepreneurship requires a lot of work at all hours of the day and night.
Why is leading by example so important?
Tim has always been around the businesses I was involved in, even before they were my own business. He has seen firsthand the challenges and how those challenges were handled and benefited often from the rewards.
What does working with your son mean to you?
It is every parent’s dream at some time in their life to work with their kid. Working with your son makes many things more special, especially when they are a combined effort. Another tremendous personal reward is seeing your son’s accomplishments. That is important to me and probably to every parent. As Tim makes his own way, those successes are even more special.
Mark Pasma, CEO, Co-Founder at Franchising101.com
IFPG Franchise Consultants.
There is absolutely nothing like building something great for your family.
Mark Pasma
What have you taught your child(ren) about entrepreneurship?
- Honesty and integrity come first. Doing the right thing even when no one is watching or listening is the foundation of life.
- Treating people right, researching and analyzing all available information before making a life-changing decision, and having “connections” are all great things, but at the end of the day, you must work hard. Being a successful business owner and entrepreneur takes an incredibly strong work ethic. If you’re not willing to put in the work, you will never reap the rewards.
- Not everyone is born an entrepreneur, and that’s okay. But in order to be successful in business, you need to have an entrepreneurial drive.
- Many people don’t see or understand the stress and after-hours work that entrepreneurs put in. But the freedom and flexibility that are associated with being an entrepreneur far outweigh the stress and extra work.
- Entrepreneurism opens the door to an incredible world of opportunity. Meaning, you’re never stuck in one career path. Teachers, teach. Doctors, treat. Engineers, calculate. Entrepreneurs can do whatever they are inspired to do and can explore business ventures across many industries.
- Entrepreneurs understand that risk isn’t a bad thing. It’s a necessary obstacle to overcome to accomplish dreams and aspirations. And boy, is it worth it!
- There is absolutely nothing like building something great for your family. Whether that is more work flexibility so you’re able to have more time together as a family, or building wealth to make life easier for your family, or providing jobs for kids, family, friends, etc. Entrepreneurship gives you many opportunities to give back to those around you and in your community.
Why is leading by example so important?
The old saying, “more is caught than taught” is very true. Whether they realize it or not, kids mimic the actions of their parents. One of the reasons there is conflict in a home is due to parents doing one thing but telling their kids to do something different. This level of hypocrisy is a huge turn-off to kids. If you tell your kids to be honest, you better be. If you tell your kids to work hard, you better be working hard. If you tell them to treat people right, you need to set the standard and treat people right. Inconsistency destroys relationships. However, we are not perfect, we will make mistakes as parents. The best thing we can do is own our mistakes, admit them, and apologize. That’s leading by example.
What does working with your daughter mean to you?
Frankly, it’s a dream come true. I never knew how fun and rewarding it would be. It is an honor to work with her. Holly went to work for a publishing corporation following college. She enjoyed the travel and management experiences but knew working for someone else wasn’t her future. So, after three-plus years of corporate life, she decided to join our new fitness franchise and build it into a six-unit business. It hardly seems possible we have been working together for over ten years. Now, working together as franchise consultants and helping people change their lives through franchising is a great experience.
I told both my kids that maybe someday we could work together. However, they had to go into the workforce and find their own way for at least three years before working in the “family business.” My son, Jeff, decided to go into finance and became a commodities trader. He has a very successful trading business today. I’m very proud of him and his success. One of the greatest thrills of being a parent of adult-aged kids is learning from them. They live an entrepreneurial life and consistently teach me new ideas, technology, and business solutions. The teacher has become the student… once again.
Butch Mogavero, CEO of Boulder Designs Franchise and Border Magic Franchise
A good work ethic, vision, and passion for your business are some of the qualities I have shown my son.
Butch Mogavero
Red Boswell, President of the International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG)
People follow integrity, and you can’t have it if you say something but don’t live it out consistently.
Red Boswell
What have you taught your children about entrepreneurship?
It’s the only real path to freedom. Regardless of the degree you earn and the industry you choose, own something – don’t just trade time for dollars. Life is short. Make every day count. Do something in your career that leaves a positive impact.
Why is leading by example so important?
People, regardless of age, watch what you do much more than they listen to what you say. My definition of integrity is “complete authenticity.” People follow integrity, and you can’t have it if you say something but don’t live it out consistently.
Do you hope to instill the entrepreneurship bug in your children?
Definitely, but I also pray they learn from my mistakes. Their sense of adventure and creativity are awesome but I’m still working on their “boldness” and “financial acumen.” I’m also incredibly proud of my kids’ high degree of discipline, wisdom, and emotional maturity. Combining all of the above is a sure-fire path to a life of fulfillment, happiness, and success.