Passing the Torch
Narrators Share Their Thoughts on Succession
Eight of the businesses included in this oral history project are multigenerational. Four of these businesses are third-generation businesses, and one, Angelus Funeral Home, has continued through four generations. This is a remarkable success rate, given that studies of business succession have shown that the majority of family businesses fail or are sold before the second generation assumes ownership. In fact, according to an article by George Stalk, Jr., and Henry Foley in the Harvard Business Review, a full seventy percent of family businesses do not last past the first generation ("Avoid the Traps That Can Destroy Family Businesses," Harvard Business Review, January-February 2012).
There are many reasons that a business might not be passed on to another generation. Those reasons include fluctuating consumer trends, changes in standard business operations, changes in the neighborhood itself, and lack of interest or preparedness on the part of the next generation. From these oral histories, we learn why these particular business owners chose to take over their family businesses and how they dealt with the challenges involved. Most mentioned growing up and working in the family business during childhood, although few felt pressured to take on that business in adulthood. Most had careers prior to their succession and, in some cases, earned significantly more than what they would make running the family business. All indicated that although they “grew up” in the business and knew certain aspects of the business well, they still needed additional training and education to be effective. They also spoke about the particulars of the transition, its effect on staff, and the process of upgrading the business to meet current trends. Finally, some expressed the desire for their business to continue on but felt unsure that the next generation would pick up the torch.
Three Generations of Bowers and Sons Cleaners
Joseph and Alice Smith (above) founded Westlake Cleaners, which they sold to their daughter and her husband, Horace and Alice Bowers, in 1950.
Horace Bowers with his daughter and current owner, Vivian Bowers, and his son Eric Bowers, 1970.
DavenportTorch B_2019-12-28_16-13-20.mp3
Hunter.Kim.Torch_3.3.27.mp3
Legaux.Denise.Torch.2.8.15.mp3Three Generations of Woods-Valentine Mortuary
Taylor Torch B_2019-12-28_15-58-55.mp3
Gregory Dulan of Dulan's on Crenshaw with his father, Adolf Dulan. Adolf Dulan started the family's interest in the food business in the nineteen seventies, transitioning an Orange Julius he owned into Hamburger City in 1977 and later owning Aunt Kizzy's Back Porch (1985) and Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen (1999).
Winsor Williams, Sr., owner of Antique Stove Heaven, with his son and possible successor, Winsor Williams, Jr.
Taylor.William_Torch.3.3.18.mp3
Tolliver.Lawrence-Torch.2.10.3.mp3Two generations of the 27th Street Bakery. Standing are current owners, Jeanette Bolden-Pickens and Denise Craven Paschal. Their mother, Alberta Craven (seated), purchased the bakery from their grandfather, Harry Patterson, in the nineteen eighties. Patterson originally opened a restaurant at the location in the mid-nineteen forties but transitioned it to a bakery in 1956.
