A Seat at the Table

Welcome to A Seat at the Table, Trials and Triumphs of Family Business, hosted by Natalie Mariani Kling, a 4th generation family business owner. This program is a creation of The Capital Region Family Business Center, a non-profit agency whose purpose is to help family businesses grow and prosper.One thing about being a part of a family business, is that it’s unique. Family businesses often began very simply, with a person who had an idea. Rarely were these people educated in business or finance, they usually didn’t have big investors, sometimes, they didn’t even speak English. But they saw an opportunity that could support their family, and so they started.Once these family businesses grow and are handed to 2nd, 3rd, 4th generations, there are not only the complexities of any growing business, but also the dynamics of family and relationships and navigating things like, which family member will be CEO, should this year's profits be reinvested or distributed? Differences in opinions can complicate Sunday night dinners, estate planning, who wants to keep running this business, preserving a legacy, entitlement, privilege, imposter syndrome…but there can also be magic.In a time where we want to KNOW the people behind a brand, and where authenticity and trust play a big part in our purchases as consumers, having a family that runs and operates a business over generations can create a very special culture where its success is built on relationships from vendors to employees to customers.On this podcast, expect real conversations with real family business members about what it’s like to be in a family business, run a family business, and the trials and triumphs of taking it into the next generation.

Episode 38: Craftsmanship, Connection and Community Keep Balanced Body the Leader in Pilates Equipment.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. This episode I'm speaking with Roz Van Auker, wife of Ken Van Auker and one of the founders of Balanced Body. The story begins with an unexpected twist of fate and the touch of skilled craftsmanship. Imagine Ken with hands expertly shaping the first Pilates machine, with Roz, his wife, orchestrating logistics while nurturing a young family. This episode invites you to witness the evolution of a humble family bu...

11-13
45:02

Episode 37: How Co-Owners, Allie and Andrew Taylor, Navigate the Personal and Professional Relationship Within Orange Kiwi.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. In this episode your host Natalie Kling sits down with Andrew and Allie Taylor—spouses, co-CEOs, and founders behind Conveyance Solutions (ERP implementations for industrial distributors) and Orange Kiwi (family-business consulting). They unpack Andrew’s shift from sole CEO to sharing the reins with Allie—what it cost in control and “relational equity,” and what it unlocked in scale and systems. You’ll hear the...

10-30
49:00

Episode 36: How Bozzuto Insurance Continues to Build a Family Legacy.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. What if you could transform a fledgling family venture into a thriving business legacy? Join us for an engaging conversation with the Bozzuto brothers—Tony, Allen, and Bryan—as they recount their individual and collective journeys in growing Bozzuto Insurance from their father’s solo endeavor into a successful brokerage. Tony, the CEO, Allen, the Chief Business Development Officer, and Bryan, the CFO, share the...

08-07
54:25

Episode 35: With Dignity and Respect - The Impact of the Padilla Family on the Bail Bonds Profession

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Picture this: a family business spanning three generations, rooted in the heart of Sacramento, where empathy and integrity have been the guiding lights since 1979. That's the Padilla family for you, as we sit down with three generations of service to our community. Greg, Topo, and Brandon Padilla unravel the rich tapestry of their bail bond legacy. Topo sheds light on a misunderstood profession, correcting the ...

07-12
01:00:26

Episode 34: Encore Episode - Faith, Family, and Ice Cream: The Legacy of Leatherby's Family Creamery

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Family Business Tour + Ice Cream Social Leatherby’s Family Creamery, 2455 Iron Point Road, Folsom 95630 Wednesday, July 23 | 3:00–5:00 PM Space is limited, so be sure to sign up soon and bring the whole family! Visit the website to register HERE. Join your host, Natalie Mariani-Kling, for an inspiring journey as she recounts the remarkable transformation of Dave Leatherby Sr. and his wife Sally, who tra...

06-20
01:07:11

Episode 33: Resilience & Innovation - Burger Rehabilitation's 46 Years in Healthcare.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Imagine growing up in a family business where your weekends were spent in a rehab clinic, with the promise of "one more minute" being more a mom’s mantra than a reality. This episode brings you into the heartwarming and often hilarious world of the Burger family, the minds behind Burger Rehabilitation Systems. Carol Burger, the pioneering founder, joins us with her sons, Sean and Eric, to share their inspiring ...

03-06
58:09

Episode 32: Succession Sidelined. River Vista Farms' Melissa Yerxa Ortiz Shares Her Difficult Decision to Leave the Family Business.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Can family loyalty coexist with personal fulfillment in a family business? What happens when the family legacy is upended by a choice to leave? And when that choice is made by a woman or daughter vs a son? Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Melissa Ortiz of River Vista Farms as we unravel the emotional complexities of returning to family-run enterprises. Through candid storytelling, we examine the challe...

01-02
01:09:58

Episode 31: Denio's Farmers Market. Remarkable Resilience Through Generations.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Growing up, I spent countless weekends with my family at local markets, surrounded by vibrant sights and sounds, which makes today's guest story resonate deeply. Tracie and Eric Denio take us on a nostalgic journey through the history of Denio's Farmer's Market and Swap Meet, a venture started by their remarkable grandparents, Jim and Marilee Denio. From auctioning quirky items like used dentures in the 1960s t...

12-12
57:51

Episode 30: Mulvaney's B&L Builds Community with Love and Food.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Can a restaurant truly be a catalyst for change and community connection? Join us as we sit down with Patrick Mulvaney, co-founder of Mulvaney's B&L, to uncover the powerful intersections of food, love, and societal transformation. Patrick shares his inspirational journey of turning an old firehouse into a beloved dining destination, and how the spirit of "It's a Wonderful Life" fuels their mission to creat...

11-21
54:53

Episode 29: The Family Tradition... Bishops Farm. An Encore Episode.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. In 1973, Wayne’s parents, Bill and Sandy Bishop planted the first pumpkins and invited local schools to come visit the farm. Soon after that Sandy and her friends started baking pies in her kitchen to sell to guests when they came to visit. Since then the Bishop’s built a full scale bakery where they still bake scratch made pumpkin pie from pumpkins grown on the farm along with other delicious treats. Ove...

10-03
49:10

Episode 28: BFBA's Multi Generational Leadership is Built on a Legacy of People First.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Join us for an insightful conversation with Dave Boyce, Nate Boyce, and Ben Brown as we touch upon the importance of generational transitions, and share a few laughs along the way. Our discussion begins with a recounting of Dave and his younger brother Craig's imaginative adventures, setting a light-hearted tone for our chat. Discover the fascinating story behind the formation of Sacramento's largest regional...

09-06
59:04

Episode 27: Faith, Family, and Ice Cream: The Legacy of Leatherby's Family Creamery

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Join your host, Natalie Mariani-Kling, for an inspiring journey as she recounts the remarkable transformation of Dave Leatherby Sr. and his wife Sally, who transitioned from a small farming town in Iowa to a life of profound faith and generosity on the West Coast. She'll explore how Dave Sr.'s career with Safeway, and his mentorship under Bert Bride, led to a life-altering experience through the reading of Cath...

08-01
01:06:27

Episode 26: Continuing the NorCal Beverage Family Legacy Beyond the Sale.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. What does it take to transform a small family business into a major player in the beverage industry? Discover the incredible legacy of NorCal Beverage, beginning with Shannon Deary-Bell's grandfather, who turned his Coca-Cola salesmanship into the entrepreneurial foundation of Hires Bottling in 1937. You'll hear the story of Shannon's father and uncle, who made the courageous decision to sell their profitable s...

07-04
53:47

Episode 25: Lawson Mechanical's 3 Generations of Grit and Growth.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Can you imagine hopping freight trains across the country to build a business empire during one of the toughest times in American history? Join your host, Natalie Mariani-Kling, as she welcomes David Lawson, President of Lawson Mechanical, who recounts the extraordinary story of his grandfather, transforming from a resilient South Dakota youth into the founder of Sacramento's leading mechanical cons...

06-06
51:53

Episode 24: Cementing the Legacy. How Clark Pacific's Unique Leadership Has Built a Resilient and Sustaining Enterprise.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Today's episode displays a wonderful tale of a company's heart and soul as Don Clark, the second-generation co-leader of the family-operated Clark Pacific, takes us behind the scenes of a business that has stood the test of time. Here's your opportunity to learn from a legacy of innovation and resilient leadership as we follow the company's transformation from its early days as a manufacturer of prefab co...

05-02
39:29

Episode 23: Potatoes to Petite Sirah: Multigenerational Resilience Yields the Greatest Harvest for Bogle Family Vineyards.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Join us on this fascinating journey through the history and heart of Bogle Family Vineyards, as our guest Jody Bogle takes us back to her family's roots in the Sacramento River Delta. Discover how six generations of farming evolved into a renowned winemaking legacy, beginning with a serendipitous pivot from potatoes to Petite Sirah and Chenin Blanc grapes. Jody recounts the Bogle family's resilience through the...

04-04
56:04

Episode 22: Mikuni Sushi - From Japanese Village to American Abundance, Taro Arai Dreams BIG.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Growing up with the backdrop of a small Japanese village, Taro's yearning for freedom and acceptance was a seed that would eventually blossom into an American dream. Alongside his son Koki, Taro shares how he saved enough money from a paper route to fly his whole family to America as a teenager. He talks about how his father had a dream they should open a restaurant and how a chance encounter with a Japanese bu...

03-07
01:02:04

Episode 21: Elite Service Experts Setback to Success. How Siblings Turned Family Trauma to Triumph

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. Discover the incredible transformation of Roy and Ryan Hill, the sibling duo behind Elite Service Experts, as they share their tale of turning a period of near hopelessness into a flourishing family legacy. Their father's daring decision to purchase his former employer's equipment and transition to serving an established customer base set the groundwork for what would become a testament to entrepreneurial resil...

02-01
44:41

Episode 20: Mark Haney's Growth Factory and The Backyard Advantage

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. One would not suspect a young newspaper carrier to redefine the process from sidewalk or porch drop to in-home delivery, as it was self defined. Now would one expect that to turn into his first positive business exit. But that's what you'll hear on today's episode with Mark Haney. Inspiring, educational and not without the highs and lows of taking the family business into a creative growth cycle onl...

01-05
59:45

Episode 19: The "Hive". Built With So Much More Than Honey.

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. What a wonderful story this episodes displays of a family that has come together in the interest of not only continuing a legacy but also for sharing a passion of the very thing that kept them together. Honey. Josh and Shoshana Zeldner have a unique story to tell about how their interest in continuing the education about honey that their father started with his wife, their mother Amina, was brought ...

12-07
54:57

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