What’s it like to work with your nearest and dearest? Two of Cheshire’s successful business leaders give us the low-down “The hardest part about running a business is that it encroaches in every part of your life. We all live in the same grounds, so we talk about the business all the time. When you have a difference in opinion, it can be challenging. “If you’re thinking of starting a family business, my dad would say you need a hierarchy, with someone at the top, so that you have one person to make the final decision in a dispute. I’d add, set boundaries between work and home life.” Lucy Nelson, Sales and Marketing Director, Nelson Hotels “My dad started the business 60 years ago and my mum joined him 45 years ago. They worked very well as a husband-and-wife team. Dad is semi-retired – he’ll be 80 this year – but he is still the chairman and Mum is the managing director. “My brother, Andrew, and I joined the business soon after university. But even in my teens I worked for the company, it has always been a huge part of family life. I look after sales and marketing, my brother is on the operations side. My sister, Amy, lives away but helps with our spas. “Running a family business gives you have greater control – our staff say that because there’s always a member of the family around so you can get a decision made quickly. We also have greater flexibility because we’re our own bosses. We take a lot of pride in the guest experience because the business is an extension of ourselves. We try to add personal touches: for example, we’re dog people so we’ve even got menus for dogs at the properties. The Phesant InnHigher Burwardsley, Tattenhall CH3 9PF The Ice Cream FarmDrumlan Hall, Newton Ln, Tattenhall, CH3 9NE 27/36