Generational Lessons on Building a Family Business

The core of Michael’s advice centered on the necessity of ego suppression. He and his brother Maurice, now 93, maintained a successful partnership in fashion and footwear by strictly delineating their roles. By focusing on separate areas of expertise rather than competing for dominance, they avoided the friction that often plagues co-founders. Nathan and Jacob adopted this model, recognizing that their distinct temperaments—Jacob’s visionary approach balanced by Nathan’s analytical planning—formed a complementary unit similar to their grandfather’s long-standing collaboration.

Beyond technical synergy, the brothers prioritized the sanctity of their family relationships. Michael shared a critical boundary he set with his wife: shielding her from the inevitable minor workplace tensions between the brothers to prevent those disagreements from coloring her perception of Maurice. Nathan and Jacob have adopted this practice, consciously managing how they discuss the business with other relatives to protect their personal connection. For the Bennetts, the venture is not merely a path to professional growth, but a continuation of a legacy where business serves as a foundation for family closeness rather than a source of division.