Southern Indiana Business September-October 2020 | Page 44

FIVE QUESTIONS 5 QUESTIONS In the Family Business Clayton Bliss continuing the family tradition by Daniel Suddeath Clayton Bliss is continuing the family tradition, as he serves as the manager of the Calumet Club along Spring Street in downtown New Albany. The vision for the building’s restoration began with his grandfather, the late Dick Bliss, and Clayton is continuing the legacy. But what’s it like working in a family business? Clayton took time to answer five questions for us. 1 Why did you choose to work in the family business? The family business has its perks, and after working in other industries specifically the service industry, there is definitely an incentive to work with people that you are already close with. When you don’t work with your family, you don’t have as much interaction day to day, you don’t get to see them as much. When working with the family business, you’re upholding a legacy that started many years ago, and taking an oath to continue that legacy, and provide improvements so that it survives and can serve the future of the same family. 2 Why is it important to support family owned businesses? Family owned businesses are the same businesses that support local schools, have children in those schools, support local sports, theatre, and community activities. Family owned businesses, specifically small 44 September / October 2020