family business | Kaira Rouda

4 09, 2009

Real You: Another type of labor day

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T00:20:23+00:00September 4, 2009|family business, family members, kids, Uncategorized|Comments Off on Real You: Another type of labor day

My youngest son, Dylan, is an actor and he just booked his first professional job out in LA. The reason it's relevant to Labor Day? The show is a Discovery Health series, in its fourth season, called "I Didn't Know I Was Pregnant". Really. Each episode features two real-life stories of women who didn't know they were having a baby until they went into labor. After having four kids myself, I am astonished by their stories, and apparently, so are all of the viewers who tune in! Dylan's character is the stepson of the woman who didn't know she was pregnant. He had an amazing time shooting both on location in Los Angeles and in the studio. The cast and crew of the production are great. And what did I learn, aside from the fact that there are a lot of women who are pregnant [...]

21 04, 2009

Entering the Business World Knowing Your Passion

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T01:49:24+00:00April 21, 2009|career, college students, culture, family business, first job, passions, personal brand, work|Comments Off on Entering the Business World Knowing Your Passion

This past week I was approached by a graduating college senior, and she had an excellent question. “While my first choice is to find a job on my own, my family owns a business and they’d love for me to join them. Given the current state of the economy, should I consider joining the family business my best option?” And after talking with her, I started to realize that is about the time when students are planning to set foot into the “real world” and are unsure about what’s next and which direction they should go. So to answer her question and to try and calm the fears of other students in her position, I say… Don’t alter your passions. Do you really want to join the family business? Is it part of your passion? Or are you altering your passion for security? Will it [...]

20 02, 2009

Time to enter the family business?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:07:58+00:00February 20, 2009|business relationships, career, family business, passions, real estate|Comments Off on Time to enter the family business?

The question of whether or not to join a family business is a tough one. You have been given an opportunity, that’s for sure, but it is smart to carefully evaluate the situation before you jump in. I recommend asking yourself the following: Are you personally passionate about this business? If you’re not, it may not be right for you. Do you have experience in the field? If not, are you willing to learn, and do you think you have what it takes to be successful? What does the future hold? Will you be an equal decision-maker, and will you be able to grow with the company? And perhaps most important, will joining the family business be at all awkward? You may feel like you have to justify your existence to outsiders down the road. Some folks deal with that better than others. As you [...]

13 11, 2008

Family Business: How to succeed!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:13:11+00:00November 13, 2008|business partnership, family business, family members, responsibilities, work experience|Comments Off on Family Business: How to succeed!

Going into business with your family can be daunting, but not if you do it right! First, because this is your real brand, make it clear that you are the ultimate decision-maker in the group. Then, make sure each family member is qualified for the job, and define clear roles and responsibilities. If they’re not yet qualified, they can get some valuable work experience elsewhere before they join your team. Both my husband and I worked at other companies before starting work at Real Living. This is so important because family members are always being judged based on their relationship with the business owner—you! They’ll need that built-in credibility before they become a member of your team. Once you’ve determined that they’re qualified, don’t allow them any special favors that would cause bad feelings among other team members. At the same time, don’t fall into [...]

25 07, 2008

Should you join the family biz right out of college?

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T13:29:15+00:00July 25, 2008|business, college, dreams, family business, passions, Real You Incorporated, Rouda, speaker, women in business|Comments Off on Should you join the family biz right out of college?

Joining the family business might seem like the easy route after college, but there are several things to consider. You must first decide, simply and emphatically, if this business is your passion. Sure, you’ve grown up with the business, but is working in the family business part of your dream? Be absolutely honest about your answer because it’s your life—and you can’t live that life pursuing someone else’s dreams. If you make the decision to join the fam, do so only after obtaining the necessary training and know-how. Make sure you’re qualified and prepared for the task. This is important so that others have a positive perception of your role in the business—and they take you seriously. For other tips on finding your passion see Real Fact Two in Real You Incorporated.