Family Business Heroes 2021

Introduction

Anne Smart

In the face of what seemed to be a never-ending tide of bad news, we wanted to share something good.

Introduction

Ray Whitacre

BMO knows family businesses are the cornerstone of our economy and our communities.

Magid

"There was no playbook for this. We were writing the rules as we went."

Wall Family Enterprise

“We realized if we wanted to be part of the solution in libraries and schools, we had to bring the solutions."

W.S. Darley

"This isn't the first pandemic our company has ever experienced."

BCD International

“We like to say that we’re in the business of protecting those who protect us.”

Carl Buddig & Company

"We didn't do this alone. It takes a village and we relied on our resources to give us information so we could make good decisions."

Gold Eagle

"COVID forced us to come up with ‘what if’ scenarios that provided new insights on what we can do as a company and as a family."

Medline

"We did what we could to keep supplying our customers who needed our products to save people's lives."

Edlong

"We were all hands on deck, and had each other’s backs to ensure everyone stayed afloat and succeeded."

Powers & Sons Construction

"Never in my lifetime has there been anything that has challenged us in this manner."

Home Run Inn

“We’ve been a family business for the last 74 years, and Chicago is our community. Of course we’re going to do our part to help those in need.”

Wahl Clipper Corp.

"Our values are what got us through. They're what allowed us to thrive in this environment because we have such committed people who really understand our business."

Baldwin Richardson Foods

"As a family business, we wear our values on our sleeves. We don’t just talk about integrity, authenticity, and honesty—we live it."