It Runs In The Family

Jim De’Ath grew up with the great outdoors central to his childhood. Now it’s at the heart of his entire family and its business: Valley and Peak.

Becoming the 2nd generation to work within the business, Jim’s sights are set on carrying a torch that’ll last for many generations to come…

The way that the family has influenced the business is just as fascinating as the inverse, seeing the family dynamic evolve with the brand - we learn more about the fabulous family behind Valley and Peak on this week’s ‘It Runs In The Family’!

This episode covers:

• How outdoor activity in Jim’s childhood fed into his business journey
• Navigating huge life events alongside business demands
• How working with family alters your dynamics and time together
• The invaluable benefits of having trust in those leading around you

From our family business to yours: Happy Valentine’s Day! What better day for us to celebrate all that we love about the people behind the show’s family business guests, and beyond.

This week, the Willingham family takes centre stage as we look back on our unbelievable roster of guests, and share our adoration for the traits that they’ve exhibited which you just won’t find outside of the wonderful world of family business!

This episode covers:

• How 2024 has kicked off, and what family businesses can expect from the year ahead
• Common touching points for most family businesses
• The innate connection between kin within a family firm
• Our appreciation for the candid honesty from all the guests that have joined us to date
• Opportunities that family businesses create for their own next generations

Since its inception in 1980, the humble Glaswegian beginnings of Pagazzi Lighting have bloomed into a leading lighting retailer, with the delightful Pagan family at the helm.

Founded by Alan and Laura Pagan, they’re now joined in the business by daughter Rebecca - it’s the mother-daughter duo joining us on the podcast this week to share the charming stories, back-to-the-wall moments and family spirit that lights their way…

This episode covers:

• The story behind Pagazzi’s bold, naive beginnings
• How the family dynamic works with work-life balance & handling disagreements
• Their feeling of responsibility for team members, and the extra drive that gives you
• The importance of non-family members in the team’s growth
• Pagazzi’s admirable ambitions to continue expanding further south

When Mark Hamblin’s parents rented a single van out throughout the weekdays, little did they know they were laying the simple groundwork for a thriving vehicle hire business.

U-Drive’s fleet might be strong, with over four thousand vehicles, but it’s the strength and convictions of the Hamblin family members within the business that one simply can’t help but admire.

Mark and Lauren, father and daughter, join us live in the studio this week for a charming episode of It Runs In The Family.

This episode covers:

• How the 42 year old business grew its huge, 4,000+ vehicle fleet
• Standout moments with the family throughout U-Drive’s illustrious history
• How Lauren formed her connection with the business at a particularly early age
• Putting the family’s needs ahead of the business

Pembrokeshire is a stunning stretch of Welsh coastline whose beauty should sell itself, but it’s Coastal Cottages’ community-building that builds the experience around it.

Join us on It Runs In The Family to hear how Matthew and Sophie Evans channel their complementary talents in building a charming holiday cottage agency, all whilst founding one of Wales’ biggest sporting exports on the side…

This episode covers:

• The story behind how the duo came to run Coastal Cottages
• How they hold onto their wonderful staff 
• Why they’re sometimes described as a ‘dating agency for holiday homeowners and holidaymakers’
• Bringing more family into the business
• How they’re bringing attention to the gorgeous area of Pembrokeshire

The story behind Joe & Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn begins with a penchant for holiday gifts from the USA, and its latest chapter sees an iconic brand sharing natural flavours like no other.

Among 4 family Co-Founders is Adam Sopher, whose role now as CEO sees him reside over a business proud to have secured investment and seen its products in Selfridges.

We catch up with Adam on this week’s ‘It Runs In The Family’ to discover their delightful story.

This episode covers:

• The business’ swift inception with the family’s appearance at a food show in 2010
• How securing investment felt like validation of what they’d achieved so far
• Shared family leadership evolving into a more structured approach
• The combined skill sets of the family creating something special

Catipilla just celebrated their 6th birthday, and the business’ adorable inception draws upon NASA experience and an unbeatable father-son combination.

Designing furniture fit for our feline family is a job purrfectly suited to this week’s special guest, Andy Sutton, who takes us through the humble beginnings of every cat’s favourite furniture brand.

This episode covers:

• Andy’s journey as a NASA engineer, before his entrepreneurial career
• How the family dynamic plays into their decision making process
• The charming story behind the business’ humble beginnings
• Moments of pride on their journey to international acclaim

A 5 year old Christina Veal wanted ice cream, a simple request that set the wheels in motion on a 40 year legacy in the form of New Forest Ice Cream.

Christina and her sister, Niki Jenman, now head up the business whose charm is tangible in every tasty scoop. These siblings have such undeniable chemistry, and it’s a joy that they shared it with us in this delicious episode of It Runs In The Family!

This episode covers:

• How the brand has evolved since its charming inception in 1983
• Standout moments with the family in the business
• Carving out time for each other
• The unparalleled role of quality tester for some of the wildest flavours
• Maintaining the business’ size alongside its lovely family culture

Greenhouses may not be an essential product, but that makes the charm and connection of family values a non-negotiable for the marvellous Alitex.

With celebrity clients from Sheeran to Sting and an indomitable presence at Chelsea Flower Show, it’s no wonder that Tom and Nelly Hall have such pride in their brand.

We join the duo on location this week, sheltering from the elements in one of their very own greenhouses, for a uniquely enlightening episode of It Runs In The Family.

This episode covers:

• The impostor syndrome of being connected to the business through your family relationship
• Sharing complementary skills and combined values
• How family life has influenced Tom’s approach to business ownership
• Famous names on their roster, including David Beckham’s unforgettable visit to Alitex’s HQ

Some businesses’ products you simply can’t, or shouldn’t, live without - Lyfeguard sets out to make everyone’s lives simpler in a way that few other businesses ever can…

In the aftermath of a torrid experience handling two late friends’ estates, Gary Steward and son Fraser Co-Founded a company with care and heart at its core. 

Join us to hear their story, how they separate business from family life, and why for them being a family business is a double edged sword of sorts…

This episode covers:

• Separating business and family lives
• Combining complementary skills between family members and team members
• The emotional pain that Lyfeguard directly aims to alleviate
• Fraser’s experiences in Parliament

Forget all you know of a farm shop - Nick and Ash Sinfield have created an iconic location in the business they’ve Co-Founded together: Teals.

The couple have created a remarkable blend of commerce and hospitality with a food market, restaurant, and range of wellness classes to name a selection of factors that make Teals stand out.

We’re joined by Nick and Ash to share how their family dynamic changed when they became Co-Founders, the value of values, and how to keep the business from becoming all-consuming.

This episode covers:

• Teals’ opening three years ago, and bumpy first few years
• The difference between working together and founding a business together
• Creating a team dynamic where they enable their team, not inhibit them
• Their responsibility as a budding B Corp to-be
• Maintaining a healthy dynamic when the business becomes overwhelming

Sri Lankan food culture brings people together and always lays a space at the table, and that family feel channels into The Coconut Tree’s 9 fantastic locations.

Rashintha Rodrigo’s emotional connection with the business has evolved over its 9 years in rather an interesting way - we catch up with him on It Runs In The Family about the chain’s success, and charming ambitions.

This episode covers:

• The strength gained from having multiple Co-Founders
• Their ‘lay an extra spot at the table’ ethos funnelling into the business
• How The Coconut Tree expanded their reach to 9 restaurants in 7 years
• An evolving emotional connection with the business over time

Glenmuir’s 130 year legacy stands it in great stead, but Managing Director Mikhel Ruia’s constant innovation and tempered approach keeps them moving ever-forwards.

We have the rare opportunity to speak with another business within the same family group as last episode’s Sock Shop; both being part of the Ruia Group and interestingly sharing an evidently effective family ethos…

This episode covers:

• Receiving business mentorship from within your entrepreneurial family
• Mikhel’s pursuit of breaking the ‘3rd gen, rags-to-riches-to-rags’ trope
• Growing up in a culture of commitment and work ethic
• The impressive digitisation that Mikhel has brought to the business
• Finding extraordinary improvements in the ordinary
• How to have an awareness and tact when handling tense topics

‘Feel good from the feet up’ - one simple phrase underpins the decades-long history of the Sockshop brand, and its direction is guided by the keen intuition of Alok Ruia.

As Director of the brand, which lies within the Ruia Group, there’s a fascinating dynamic between his business and those of his brothers, and a philosophy evident throughout the group.

Discover Alok’s journey into the family business, the blend of strategy with opportunity recognition, and how Annie Lennox changed the way the world sees socks…

This episode covers:

• The complication of family dynamics in business spaces
• Unique culture and autonomy being paramount
• The fascinating story behind Sockshop’s revolutionary Heat Holders
• Surprising cultural impacts that have come from celebrity socks

Audrey Githa Goldberg was a health and skincare pioneer, writing two books heralded as ‘bibles’ in their field. That legacy lives on and flourishes through Care of the Skin.

The mother & daughter-run business takes its name from one of these books, and both Lucy & Hannah Bennett continue to bring this industry-leading history to life. Hear more from this outgoing duo as they join us on episode 66 of ‘It Runs In The Family’.

This episode covers:

• The origins of Care of the Skin, harking from a timeless book
• Challenges arising from being mother & daughter at all times
• Exciting future plans to grow the business
• Celebrity clients valuing their integrity and discretion

There’s no shortage of hotels offering 5-star experiences, but without the familial touch that’s present in Maisons Pariente’s resorts, they pail in comparison.

Launching all three hotels in the same year is challenging enough, let alone having one recognised as the pinnacle of French hospitality in Travel + Leisure’s awards.

We dive into the family’s charming approach to hospitality with Co-Founder & Artistic Director, Kimberley Cohen, in a rather continental episode of It Runs In The Family.

This episode covers:

• Kimberley’s shift from the fashion world in LA to hospitality with her family
• The ambitious opening of their 3 hotels all in the same year
• How their familial touch garnered them awards & global acclaim
• Knowing when to be heard or be quiet, and setting aside your ego

The appeal of Wookey Hole Caves extends far beyond the titular attraction, and that’s thanks to the unrelenting love and ambition of its current custodians.

Sarah Ramsay and her daughter Ellen found themselves suddenly helming a beloved legacy, and have brought together their collective creativity to bring the caves to life.

It was a delight to speak with Sarah & Ellen on It Runs In The Family, where their passion is a heartwarming spectacle that tops off their incredible story.

This episode covers:

• How the family handled the loss of Sarah’s father from Covid
• Being the guardian of a historic brand
• The recent rebranding of Wookey Hole to refresh their legacy
• Moments of alignment and pride with the rest of the family

Creating a world-first product is already an admirable feat, but to do so with Audrey Hepburn as your collaborator is almost unimaginable.

Philip Kingsley created the ‘Elasticizer’ for his eponymous brand, and his passion for haircare & trichology feeds so clearly into his daughter, Brand President Anabel Kingsley.

Join us on ‘It Runs In The Family’ for a sublime exhibition of values and morals passed through generations, with some star-studded stories along the way…

This episode covers:

• A company built on pure values of ethics and honesty
• Taking the reins suddenly upon Anabel’s father’s passing
• Whether her dad’s legacy is consciously followed or simply instinctual
• How working with Audrey Hepburn led to the creation of a world-first product
• Pride in what came before and ambition in what’s to come

A universally loved product for all generations is a remarkable starting point for a business to go global, and an exciting reality for the Eriksson brothers behind Boxbollen.

Jacob & Victor have developed a ‘PlayTech’ product earning celebrity endorsements from Khloe Kardashian, Steven Gerrard and Snoop Dogg, building out an infectious, TikTok-able appeal.

The product’s fun factor is matched by the dynamic shared by this Co-Founding duo, who join us for a delightful episode of It Runs In The Family.

This episode covers:

• The catalyst moment that launched Jacob & Victor’s brand
• An offence & defence approach between the two
• Going global with little-to-no tailored marketing
• Developing a product with universal appeal
• The impact of several incredible celebrity endorsements
• Layers of strength and trust built on working with family

As one of three Co-Founders, Emma Brooks deals not only with a sibling in business, but a spouse too - a unique blueprint to say the least!

Emma is Managing Director of iampro alongside husband Ben, Head of Production, and sister Charlie, whose face you might recognise from over one thousand episodes of EastEnders!

We’re joined by Ben & Emma in this week’s podcast to share how their platform trains acting talent, how to keep work talk out of the home, and the importance of boundaries between Co-Founders.

This episode covers:

• Finding fulfilment in mentoring and guidance for talented young people
• Upholding the business outlook with sibling and spouse dynamics at play
• The relationship between the three Co-Founders with Charlie Brook’s TV commitments on EastEnders
• Strategies to leave work at the door
• Setting boundaries to protect your family relationship