Business is a Family Affair

Father’s Day is a great reminder that for Stormy Kromer, business is a family affair. You see, my sister and I have the privilege of working with our Dad – it’s kind of like every day is Father’s Day. For those that don’t know, Stormy Kromer is a part of Jacquart Fabric Products (JFP) – a sewing factory started back in 1958 by my grandfather, Robert Jacquart, Sr., right here in beautiful Ironwood, Michigan. Today, Bob Jacquart, Jr. is our CEO, and my sister KJ and I manage various aspects of the business.

Gina and KJ running a sidewalk sale at the original factory.

For KJ and I, business and family have always been deeply intertwined. We learned early on what it means to be an entrepreneur and my Dad took every opportunity to expose us to the business.

Whether it was spending an evening with him delivering a finished product to a customer (with the promise of ice cream if we shook the customer’s hand, looked them in the eye and asked, “How are you today?”), combining a summer vacation with a quick stop to a supplier’s office, or learning how to make change at the cash register on Saturday mornings, business was ever present for the Jacquart daughers.

Gina at the doorway of the original JFP storefront.

It worked out pretty well for Dad, as he now has his two daughters working with him every day, and preparing to take over the business when he’s ready to retire. (Although, who I am kidding, he’s never going to really retire.)

We’re living proof that you can combine family and business – and when you do, you actually make both the family and the business even better.

Bob Jacquart with his daughters Kari “KJ” Jacquart and Gina Jacquart Thorsen.

Happy Father’s Day Dad. KJ and I are proud to call you both our CEO and our father.