Multi-generational businesses face unique challenges, including spending days at work as well as at home with loved ones, possible pressure to follow in the family business, and striving to fill the shoes of the previous generation.
Snyder Funeral Homes is an example of a successful multi-generational venture. Established in 1922 by Ora O. Snyder, the family now boasts four generations of licensed funeral directors and 16 funeral homes.
Not all multi-generational firms push their offspring into the family business. Some realize how difficult certain vocations can be, noted Todd Snyder. Snyder’s two older brothers opted to follow their own paths; one has a career in law, the other in accounting.
“When I was in high school, and I told my parents I wanted to do this family thing, my mother wept,” said Snyder. “She said, ‘Oh, no, please don’t do this.’”
Snyder, who is a third generation funeral director, explained that his mother understood the emotional and time commitment involved in the business, and didn’t want that for him. He noted she was happy with his decision later in life, though.
Snyder’s children, Hannah and Gideon Snyder, grew up in the funeral home, as the family once lived in quarters in the same building as the business. The siblings opted to follow in the family’s footsteps. Hannah, 25, has been licensed for just over a year. Gideon, 23, is serving the apprenticeship required before licensing.
The business of funeral service is one that is often multi-generational. Hannah Snyder explained why. “People who are raised in the industry see it differently,” she said. “They don’t see the morbid side that everyone else might imagine, because there’s really not much of that. It’s really about serving people.”
Like many family businesses, even the children help out. Gideon Snyder noted he worked pulling weeds, mowing, and holding doors as a child. Hannah Snyder added that “working the door” was a favorite chore of hers because her father would take her out to “a very nice dinner” as a reward.
Todd Snyder noted that many multi-generational businesses fail due to family conflict. “Quite frankly, sometimes family dynamics and business are a challenge,” he said.
“There are times when family businesses can’t get past a lot of little burrs under the saddle,” he explained.
“I choose not to get irritated and frustrated, because though there may be those times of minor burrs under the saddle, the overriding emotion of grace and family bond of love is more important,” he said.
Todd Snyder added that a fundamental reason his family is four, soon to be five, generations deep in business is full confidence in the newer generation. He explained that the freedom of the newest generation to make decisions and express ideas is important.
“Many family businesses fail because the older generation has a noose around the second and third generation. Sometimes that noose is the purse strings, and sometimes it’s just the control,” he explained.
The confidence displayed in younger generations has allowed the Snyders to reinvent themselves and stay fresh, noted Todd Snyder. The company now operates in four divisions, with each division supervised by a Snyder.
Family traditions, even small ones, can help when working together, said Hannah Snyder. She and Gideon Snyder have a quirky custom of “beating each other to the punch” by attempting to be the first to punch the other in the shoulder each day. Hannah Snyder and her father hug every morning, and Todd Snyder calls his father every morning.
“We just have those little things that keep us connected and remind us that we are not just coworkers, we’re family,” said Hannah Snyder.
