No Ordinary Families

Family Ties, Family Matters, All in the Family, Family Guy, The Addam’s Family—all these American TV shows became successful by featuring family relationships and dynamics.

The same can be said for this issue’s featured companies and our cover story, Mike Donohoe.

This March/April, we showcase the Schmidt family of Schmidt’s Meat Market (Nicollet), the Hacker family of Hacker’s Tree Farm, Nursery, and Greenhouse (Sleepy Eye and New Ulm), and on our cover, Mike Donohoe, outgoing president of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) or Big “I”, a national organization representing 23,000 U.S. independent insurance agencies and their 300,000 employees. Donohoe, along with brother-in-law Jay Weir, co-owns James R. Weir Insurance Agency of Mankato and Edina.

Not always, but successful family-owned businesses often have synergies and a laser-like focus seldom witnessed in non-family businesses. Through blood and bonds, they can become better business people and better owners.

May you enjoy our latest magazine.

Sursum ad summum,

Daniel J. Vance
Editor