Family Ties: Family Businesses within the Hospitality Industry

They say the hotel business is one big happy family. That rings true both figuratively and literally. Here at Samuelson Furniture, we proudly carry a family tradition spanning four generations and 82 years.  While the distinction of being a generational business is uncommon today, we know others in the industry who have accomplished this.  A strong sense of identity in combination with hard work, integrity and commitment to the ideals set before them are just some of the components necessary to endure the challenges presented in the world of our business today.

A multi generational business achieves a particular kind of ethic by virtue of the ongoing relationships from within.  There is a feeling that the caring and mutual respect is palpable to those we touch on the outside.  It is the satisfaction of conveying this unique character to our valued customers. 

Michael Chalfin, executive vice president and fourth generation at Samuelson states, “family values are an important part of what we communicate on a daily basis.  Giving thought to what you do and how you do it makes all the difference while simply treating people the way you would want to be treated yourself.  That is how we have done things for four generations.” 

JACLO, a leader in decorative plumbing fixtures and sister company of DURST Corporation, is an excellent example of a business sustained through many generations.  DURST, the parent company, began back in 1901 when the current company’s CEO Larry Brodey’s maternal great grandfather began selling merchandise out of a pushcart on the streets of Brooklyn. Since their humble beginnings, the company now offers more than 80,000 plumbing related products in 26 finishes.

“We feel like everyone has worked here at one point,” says CEO Brodey, whose daughter Morgan joined the company representing the fifth-generation full time several years ago, though in some ways, she’s always been involved.

“As a little child, she was putting washers into bags for DURST, and today even her 92-year-old grandmother does the same thing at her home to “keep her hands moving.”

Said Brodey: “Family First.  We not only treat our employees like family, we consider them family.  We are all a team, no matter your last name.  Our business has prospered because of the trust, teamwork, and collaboration amongst our employees.  We join in each other’s life cycle events, happy or sad. We work together, we grow together, our lives are all intertwined.”

Nourison, a leading global floor covering company producing extensive collections of area rugs, broadloom carpet and home accessories, began in earnest back in 1980. It is now employing its third generation of family. Four second generation brothers work together with three of their adult children.  Jonathan Peykar, VP of Hospitality, feels very fortunate to work with his extended family.