GoFaxer Blog

There’s a huge draw for many young business people to start their own startup. We live in a digital age where email, email fax, and the Internet make starting a business as easy as buying a computer.

But with that easiness, comes a temptation to use your parents as mentors during the process. This can be a tempting proposition if your father or mother has a lot of successful experience in the business world. Having their knowledge in your organization can be a huge asset.

There’s a fascinating article at BusinessWeek.com by Eileen P. Gunn about this issue. She suggests:

“Today’s young adults are comfortable having their parents as mentors, coaches, and advocates throughout their lives. As for their parents, Lloyd Shefsky, co-director of the Center for Family Enterprises at the Kellogg School of Management, points to all the folks reinventing themselves in their 50s and 60s.”

The disadvantages are the same as working in a business with any family member. It’s so hard to extricate yourself from what can be a complicated relationship. if there’s any dysfunction in your family, it’s going to seep into your business.  And sometimes a perfectly good relationship can become strained when the pressures of day-to-day business hit.

Ultimately it depends on the individuals involved. If this is the right path for you, go for it. Your parent’s experience can be a boon.