It Runs In The Family
Hello! We're Liz & Leila Willingham and welcome to "It Runs In The Family". We're the mother and daughter duo working within the public relations and communications agency, Liz Lean PR. Running a business is hard - really hard. Every business has its challenges and it's own ups and downs - but in a family business, this is often exaggerated by the willingness to speak your mind. But it also has some huge advantages that the corporate cultures just can't compete with. In this podcast, featuring a different family business guest in each episode, we're going to be digging into the stories, values and traditions of other family and multi-generational businesses. We'll explore their history, learnings and how they've developed through the generations and the unique advantages they've had over their competitors. We discover where human relationship migrates into business; the ups, downs, twists, turns and landmark moments that seal the fate of these fascinating organisations. You’ll get to hear some brilliant life stories too; some to make you laugh and others that’ll warm your heart. Many of our clients are family businesses who we've worked very closely with over a number of years - we've heard brilliant stories that reveal true values and fun operating as a family business. We want you to feel inspired by stories of others, find their honesty relatable and reach out to us with your own experiences. If you have any questions for future guests, have a story of your own or have any feedback please do feel free to get in touch on our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrunsinthefamilypodcast/
- Update frequency
- every 14 days
- Average duration
- 54 minutes
- Episodes
- 121
- Years Active
- 2021 - 2025
Capturing Children’s Creativity Across the Generations with Le Toy Van’s Steve and Marie Le Van #99
As parents, working in such a family-oriented field is bound to blur lines between work and home - such a line is one that the Le Van family walk effortlessly…
Steve Le Van is the 2nd generation leade…
The Farmhouse Family Behind Award-Winning Dairy with Graham’s Family Dairy’s Dr Robert Graham and Carol Graham #98
Dr Robert Graham’s story begins in a farmhouse, being born just one year after the inception of the business he’d go on to live and breathe.
Graham’s Family Dairy is over 70 years strong, and farming …
The Art of Perfecting PR & Reputation in Family Business with LLPR’s Liz and Leila Willingham #97
We were delighted to speak about growing family businesses through PR and reputation at the Northern Ireland Family Business Forum - wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall for that?
Luckily, this e…
The Heart Behind Headhunting with Nurole’s Susie, Ned and Oliver Cummings #96
Susie Cumming’s first venture into headhunting unveiled an awareness of the greatness that could be achieved when the whole family combines their skills…
Combining her entrepreneurialism with the crea…
Why You Should Build a Purpose-Driven, Selfless Business with Millwood’s Co-Owner, Matt Wood #95
Millwood is the only, and therefore the #1 B Corp in its field. For most, that’d be the dream, but Co-Owner Matt Wood wishes for the opposite…
That might sound counterintuitive, but for a business lea…
The Family Flavour Behind The Avenue Cookery School’s Life-Changing Classes with Diana Horsford, Richard Horsford & Sophie Shalgi #94
The Avenue Cookery School has left its imprint on countless aspiring chefs, thanks in no small part to the full force of the Horsford family behind it.
Diana was joined by her children Richard and Sop…
Building on the Legacy of a Century-Old Brand with Company Director of Stackers, Chloe Pestell #93
4 generations have seen a clock business with royalty among its customers become an iconic household name, and it’s Chloe Pestell at the helm of the 102 year old brand.
Stackers was born of parent com…
Finding Power in Purpose with Humanness’ Co-Founders, Quinn Stainfield-Bruce and Duncan Bruce #92
There is no traditional dynamic between the Co-Founders of Humanness, but the way the father-son duo thrive together is an extraordinary story.
With a strive for purpose and contentment at their core,…
Improving on Perfection Between Every Generation with Sustainit Solutions’ CEO, Pip Stockford #91
Sustainit Solutions exists thanks to the forward-thinking nature of its Founder - no wonder its 2nd gen CEO is just as cognizant of the family firm’s future…
Pip Stockford is this week’s special guest…
The Complicated Art of Succession Planning with Frettens Solicitors’ Matthew Fretten #90
Nothing can test a family bond quite like being in business together, a gauntlet run by the two generations who’ve helmed Frettens Solicitors.
Matthew Fretten is a Managing Partner whose path saw him …
Love in Every Bottle: The Care in Crafting a Family Firm with G&I Spirits Group’s Simon & Gina Duke #89
If you could bottle up the ingredients to entrepreneurship, it’d be best sold in the loving, careful hands of Simon & Gina Duke…
The mentality passed down through the Duke family is so key to the succ…
The Family Toy Firm Playing the Long Game with Casdon’s MD, Phil Cassidy #88
Dyson, DeLonghi, Kenwood - while the adults play with the real thing, Casdon’s decades-long mission has been inspiring joy through iconic toys.
Role-play is such an inspiring part of kids’ childhoods,…
How to Build a Brand to Stand the Test of Time with Wagstaff Watches’ Peter Foster #87
Wagstaff Watches’ Founder was many things; a countryman, farmer, and to the custodians over 100 years later, a passionate and inspiring watchmaker.
Albert Wagstaff’s legacy is one which remains in saf…
World-Renowned Wine from Second-Gen Siblings: The Story Behind Ridgeview Wine Estate with Simon & Tamara Roberts #86
When you take charge of your parents’ business, validation comes in many forms - few are quite as strong as winning ‘International Winemaker of the Year’, the first English wine to do so…
Despite the …
The Powerful Pivot Behind the UK’s First Female-Led BCorp Caterers with Ali and Emily Warburton, Co-Founders of Pow Foods #85
2020 put the events space in jeopardy; One pivot, and Pow Food found its feet in style.
Ali & Emily Warburton’s business story starts with a mission to revolutionise workplace food, and has evolved in…
From Family Recipe to Household Name: The Fascinating Story Behind Banhoek Chilli Oil with Co-Founders, Ken Kinsey-Quick and Adi Meintjes #84
Around 70% of businesses start off at home, and from humble beginnings in Adi Meintjes’ kitchen, the deliciously captivating Banhoek Chilli Oil was born.
He and his brother-in-law, Ken Kinsey-Quick, h…
Uncovered: The Family DNA From Our 3 Quickfire Questions #83
Every episode of our podcast has posed the same three questions, hoping to track trends across businesses - after 82 episodes, it’s about time we took a look back…
In a very special episode of It Runs…
Putting a Future Focus on Property Development with Co-Founders of Q New Homes, Michael & Damien Wynne #82
In an industry that builds for the present, it takes the care of kinship to build for the future - such is the strategy for Michael and Damien Wynne.
These brothers have always been destined to work t…
Creating Trust in Premium Properties for 25 Years with Tailor Made Estate Agency’s Robert and Adrian Dunford #81
Despite the world of estate agency evolving dramatically the Tailor Made approach remains true 25 years on from its inception.
Now led primarily by 2nd generation siblings Robert and Adrian, it’s a bu…
The Adventurous Hearts Behind Valley and Peak with Sales and Marketing Director, Jim De’Ath #80
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 busine…