Cigar manufacturers as a family business..

[joncaputo]

I notice more and more that many of the most well known cigar manufacturers (as well as some of the small ones) are family owned and run businesses. I personally think this great. I would love the opportunity to work with my children in a family business when they get older. I often wonder though why some businesses are more likely to be family owned and ran than others - in particular the cigar business. Many advantages to working with family - but some distinct challenges as well

what do you guys think?

[jitzy]

I would think that's cause when the kids are younger they grow up around the business. Plus I would say some cultureral issues come into play

[hayward_tenney]

Seems to me that family-run operations are far likelier to occur in industries that are a.) "botique" in nature, and b.)steeped in generations of tradition.

Compare to the wine industry, as an example.

My 2¢

[CHBIV]

I think Hayward hit the nail on the head, since it is such a precise and "traditional" business not one you can really go to school for or learn quickly it is bound to stay in the family since they grow up around it and are constantly learning the tricks of the trade. Also the boutique aspect applies to not just cigars and wine but lots of small boutique stores and business you will find are family owned and operated.

[Cigary]

Not to mention the "trust" factor. If you can't trust your family in a business enterprise who can you trust? My wife and I travel all over and the wineries in Italy were a perfect example of family business and trust,,,they go back hundreds of years and the history they create within their family is rich. What better way to leave a legacy.

[tx_tuff]

Tradition. I think that is the key with the Cigar Busniess. Most of the family busniess' have been in the family forever and kind of handed down. Also like what was said above, making cigars is not something you really go to school for.

But there can be exceptions to the rule. Sam of Nub comes to mind here.

[leafandale]

Jitzy has it with the "cultural" aspects. The spanish culture seems to value a long extended family more so than we do here in the US. We have gotten away from that. It is not uncommon for grandparents to live with the rest of the family when they get older. In America we just put them in retirement homes.