Over the past 5 years , we have also created the Residential National Convention , an annual event for the RAL industry . We launched the RAL National Association , Family Legacy Homes , the AL Network , and more ! We ’ re launching new businesses each year . I love this industry because it solves so many problems for people that need help caring for their parents and grandparents .
It ’ s been such a pleasure working with my family and especially my dad , Gene . He is an amazing inspiration and leader . He has inspired us to bring to life his vision of positively impacting 1 million people through Residential Assisted Living . All along the way he ’ s imparting life lessons and wisdom that he ’ s learned . We ’ re all growing together , and I couldn ’ t be happier or more inspired than I am working together as a family .
In the future , I plan to incorporate my own family into this . I ’ m excited to bring my own kids into our Residential Assisted Living homes and show them the impact we ’ re having on seniors and their families . I hope my children can see the good work we ’ re doing in the RAL industry and feel inspired to keep the tradition and legacy going . I want to pass on to my kids what my dad passed to me , giving them a legup in the world and feeling good about helping others through RAL !”
Emmanuel , my son , leads the sales division at the AL Family group of companies . He says , “ When I started working with the company , it was just my dad and a few other people . I remember asking him what I could do to help . Three months prior to that , my father gave me Robert Kiyosaki ’ s Rich Dad Poor Dad . I read that book in what felt like 20 minutes . After I read it , I witnessed Robert Kiyosaki asking my dad all about what HE was doing . Robert wanted to learn more about the RAL model . That blew my mind ! When I saw that I jumped in .
ProTips For Working Together in a Business as a Family
Here ’ s some lessons I ’ ve learned to help you to grow closer as a family when you ’ re working together in business .
Each family member is unique … embrace it .
Utilizing a “ personality profile ” can be a great objective tool to help identify each person ’ s unique skills and talents . We use the Predictive Index tool for hiring and to make sure everyone is in the right seat on the bus .
Communication is critical to your family ’ s health
We use the Entrepreneurial Operating System ( EOS ) system to help us with business organization and communication . It ’ s been an invaluable system for us as we ’ ve grown by over 400 % over the past 7 years .
The Family that Plays Together Stays Together
I ’ ve been asked “ what ’ s the best investment you ’ ve ever made ?” My answer is always the same , family vacations . Investing the time and money was one of the best investments I ’ ve ever made . Those “ 18 summers ” go fast when you ’ re an entrepreneur . You can make an impact far beyond that if you invest the time and attention along the way .
FFF – Forced Family Fun
Do you remember when you responded “ because I said so ” when the kids were impatiently asking you that ? Or those times when you were providing a great experience for your kids but they weren ’ t appreciating it as much as you thought they would or should ? Well , I do !
We created a term for that , FFF . Forced Family Fun .
Today , we enjoy our FFF even more because everyone gets to pick an activity . Between Christmas and New Year , we make a list of “ fun ” activities that we can do together as a family . Each member gets to “ pick ” an activity , and we do them as a family .
In the past , we ’ ve done a lot of fun things like , group massages , yoga , game night , bowling , wine and art , movies , kickball , pickleball , driving range , reflexology , salt baths , cryotherapy , frisbee golf , snowmobiling , skiing , sledding , ice skating , scooter races and contests of every kind . We ' re passing on the traditions from one generation to the next . Try it this year , and see what kind of fun things you come up with for your own FFF .
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