The variety of family-owned businesses in New Jersey is as extensive as that of businesses in general. They range in size from mom-and-pop shops to vast companies with global reach. Families own small retailers, giant food producers, mid-size contractors, national professional services firms and neighborhood pizza joints. In short, family-owned businesses are as vital to the economy as any other segment. And in many towns and regions, those businesses are the cornerstones of their communities.
In this edition, NJBIZ celebrates all of those businesses. Some are relatively new, having been established in the wake of the pandemic, when many ambitious and talented entrepreneurs took advantage of the disruption to set out on their own. Others date back decades, run by successive generations who sought growth and preserved the ethos that led their grandparents or great-grandparents to take the leap.
The companies highlighted below may not be the most profitable in their towns or in their industries. They may not employ the most people. And they may take different approaches to running those businesses and involving family and non-family members.
But all have some characteristics in common. They all face similar challenges – supply chain disruptions, higher costs, recruiting and retention – the by now familiar litany of headwinds that every owner or executive must overcome. And all have had at least some measure of success.
They have established themselves – and perhaps differentiated themselves – as going concerns and are looking forward to growth in the future. After all, a husband-and-wife team running a small food shop might expand that store into an international organization with a household name.
So, this list is a mix of businesses with long histories of success and those just starting out. But all are helping to drive the state’s economic growth.
Enjoy reading through the profiles and take note of the wide range of folks leading these companies. Many have immigrant roots. Others are long-time New Jerseyans. But, again, they all share the traits of any successful business leader: talent, intelligence, energy and resourcefulness. Let us know what you think of the choices reflected in the list. And if you run a business you think should be on the list – or know of one – let us know that as well.
– Jeffrey Kanige, NJBIZ editor
