Cece and Caitlin Bechelli
Happy Feet Dance Studio
Why did you decide to go into business together?
I opened the school 41 years ago and when Caitlin graduated from college, we saw a unique opportunity to work together, combining my longtime expertise with Caitlin’s fresh ideas and new energy.
Caitlin, what have you learned from working with your mom?
I have learned that loving what you do is the key to happiness.
Cece, what have you learned from working with your daughter?
I’ve learned that collaboration with Caitlin on choreographic and administrative projects makes our job twice as fun.
What’s the best thing your mom brings to the business?
Cece has created a wonderful community. Her attention to detail and tender loving care for our students and their families is inspiring.
What’s the best thing your daughter brings to the business?
Caitlin’s positive energy and innovative ideas impact our students’ lives both in and out of the studio.
Mama and Lisa Suthipipat
Kitti’s Place Restaurant
Why did you decide to go into business together?
We decided to open the restaurant together because of our love for food and our love for each other, my dad Kitti included.
Lisa, what have you learned from working with your mom?
Cooking skills and dedication, and to never give up when times get tough.
Payao (“Mama”), what have you learned from working with your daughter?
I’ve learned new ways of approaching the business, flexibility is the key. I don’t cook the old-fashioned, traditional Thai but more of a fusion because we have very sophisticated customers.
What’s the best thing your mom brings to the business?
The best thing my mom brings to the business is her strength. She is my role model. She does what she loves, which is cooking and she never gets tired. Most of the time she has more energy than I do.
What’s the best thing your daughter brings to the business?
The best thing Lisa brings to the business is her patience and positive attitude. She treats every day as a new day.
Nicole and Christine Skibola
Cosmic View (medicinal tinctures and products)
Why did you decide to go into business together?
We had the perfect combination of skills to build and execute a brand vision and the scientific knowledge and know-how to formulate great products that people love.
Nicole, what have you learned from working with your mom?
The importance of building a business in this industry with someone you trust implicitly; the power of making medicinal products with the utmost respect and intention.
Christine, what have you learned from working with your daughter?
How well we complement one another, bringing our diverse skills together in making the highest-quality and beautifully branded products.
What’s the best thing your mom brings to the business?
She incorporates science in such a meaningful way into everything we do, from sourcing ingredients to educating the end consumer. What’s the best thing your daughter brings to the business? Her artistic flair, genius and demand for the highest quality.
Shannon, Robin and Erin Lail
Lail Vineyards
Why did you decide to go into business together?
A shared love for legacy and innovation that we could bring to our family tradition of making wine since 1879.
Erin and Shannon, what have you learned from working with your mom?
Respect for our heritage guides every decision we make, especially with our Blueprint wines.
Robin, what have you learned from working with your daughters?
From Erin I learned to break from custom and stay fresh. Shannon captured our soul on social media with her unique voice.
What’s the best thing your mom brings to the business?
Passion and tenacity. Her love of wine is authentic and infectious. Every vintage has that signature of excellence and affection.
What’s the best thing your daughters bring to the business?
Pride in legacy and vision for the future. Their children are the sixth generation of our winemaking family.
Leilani and Melinda Neal
Marin Conservatory of Dance
Why did you decide to go into business together?
Having danced in the same professional ballet company, we have experienced working together in demanding and rigorous environments; it was a natural progression for us to transition into running a business together. We also bring very different generational perspectives, which makes us versatile.
Leilani, what have you learned from working with your mom?
Since we’ve been working together, I’ve developed a stronger work ethic, sharpened my teaching skills and developed more patience.
Melinda, what have you learned from working with your daughter?
I have learned from her how to enjoy my hectic workdays a bit more. She’s also taught me the importance of social media.
What’s the best thing your mom brings to the business?
She believes in all of her students and the greatness they carry inside of them. She then finds a way to bring it out.
What’s the best thing your daughter brings to the business?
Her connection to the current trends, her fantastic warm personality and funny sense of humor.
This article originally appeared in Marin Magazine’s print edition with the headline: “In the Family”.
