Article:
The Legacy of Brodis Blueberries: A Nine-Generation Family Business
For most families, running a business for three generations would be an impressive feat, but for the Brodis family, who have continuously operated their blueberry farm for nine generations and 265 years, it’s almost unheard of. The US Small Business Administration recently recognized this exceptional history and the traditions associated with it when they awarded Brodis Blueberries their annual award. This family-owned business has a fascinating history and has gone through numerous changes and innovations to increase sales and ensure its success.
A History of Success
Gwen Brodis and her husband, Dick, bought their parents’ farm in 1967 and have managed the 790-acre farm ever since, along with their 15 other family members. The farm grows one of Maine’s most iconic crops, wild blueberries, across 170 acres of land. Over the years, the couple implemented numerous improvements and innovations to increase sales from direct-to-consumer marketing, such as promoting farm tours similar to Maine Maple Sunday.
Brodis Blueberries has grown under the family’s guidance and increased yields from land improvements. However, after Dick’s passing in 2016, Gwen’s son-in-law, Ron Howard, became heavily involved in marketing the business. Howard joined numerous organizations to market wild blueberries, increasing the number of wholesale customers such as bakeries, specialty vinegar producers, and winemakers.
Keeping with Tradition and Innovation
The Brodis family made numerous efforts to diversify the farm’s product range and protect the legacy of a business older than the state of Maine. For one, Gwen used the business advisory services of the Small Business Development Center while the family began looking for new products to add value to their blueberry crop. As a result, grandson Jeremy founded the Blue Barren Distillery to produce cranberry liqueurs on the farm site and increase the incentive for customers to visit.
To increase sales year-round, the family added a farm store where they sold frozen wild blueberries, jams, sauces, and pies to visitors to enjoy. They also increased the farm’s energy efficiency and energy independence, installing a heat pump in the processing plant and planning on a solar panel installation for 2023. Building on the foundation of previous generations, without being bound by tradition, the Brodis family has showcased the best of Maine family businesses.
The Future of Brodis Blueberries
Thanks to multiple generations working together and bringing new opportunities to their small farm, the future of Brodis Blueberries is secure, possibly for another 265 years. Due to the incredible history of the business and significant efforts to ensure continued success, the SBA is pleased to name Brodis Blueberries as the 2023 Jeffrey Butland Family Business for both Maine and New England.
Additional Piece:
Running a Family Business: Challenges and Strategies for Success
Running a family business can be rewarding, both financially and emotionally. However, it comes with a unique set of challenges that can lead to conflicts between family members and negatively impact the business’s success. According to studies, only 30% of family businesses survive to the second generation, 12% to the third, and only 3% make it to the fourth generation.
What causes this high failure rate, and what can family businesses do to address those issues and ensure long-term success?
Defining Roles and Expectations
One of the most significant challenges of running a family business is defining each family member’s roles and expectations. Without clear communication, conflict can arise due to misunderstandings and the perception of unequal treatment.
To avoid this, it’s essential to have a family member job description to outline roles and responsibilities. Family members should earn their positions based on merit, education, and experience, not just a sense of entitlement. Involve family members in the business’s decision-making process to avoid communication breakdowns and conflicting expectations.
Separating Business and Personal Relationships
Another challenge is separating business and personal relationships, which can be challenging for family members, who often wear multiple hats. This can lead to family issues spilling over into the business and negatively affecting team morale and productivity.
To avoid this, establish clear boundaries between family and business relationships. Avoid discussing business-related topics outside of business hours and setting up formal communication channels that focus on the business’s performance, avoiding personal issues.
Planning for Succession
Succession planning is a crucial aspect of family-owned businesses that many families overlook, leading to complications and conflicts in the future. Without proper planning, the business’s future is uncertain, and family members may have different expectations and goals.
To avoid this, start succession planning early; consider each family member’s capabilities, interests, and personalities. Develop a clear transfer plan based on the family’s values, goals, and vision and involve outside advisors to provide objective perspectives and advice. It’s essential to communicate the plan to all family members involved in the business and involve them in the process as much as possible.
Conclusion
Running a family-owned business is challenging, but with proper planning and communication, it can bring enormous benefits to the family and the community. Understanding and addressing challenges such as defining roles and expectations, separating business and personal relationships, and planning for succession can ensure that the business will thrive for generations to come. By taking on these challenges head-on, families can ensure the long-term success of their businesses and the generations that come after them.
Summary:
Brodis Blueberries, a nine-generation family business in Maine, has continuously operated for over 265 years, with the current generation implementing numerous improvements and innovations to increase sales and ensure success. Under the leadership of Gwen and Dick Brodis and later, Ron Howard, the family diversified the farm’s product range, built a farm store, and increased the farm’s energy efficiency by installing a heat pump. Moreover, they planned a solar panel installation in 2023. The family members based their business plans on their previous generations’ foundation while bringing innovation and opportunities. To ensure the continuation of the business, the family planned to invest in new products, such as cranberry liqueurs and use business advisory services to improve the business’s performance. David L. Coelho, director of the Small Business Administration’s Maine district office, said, “We commend the entire Brodis family not only for their incredible legacy but for their commitment to sustainable agriculture, business diversification, and strategic planning, which serves as a model for business owners and entrepreneurs across Maine and New England.” Running a family-owned business can be challenging, but addressing those challenges head-on and starting succession planning early can ensure that the business will thrive for generations to come.
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A business that stays in the same family for three generations is a remarkable achievement, but for a family to continuously operate a business for nine generations and 265 years, like Brodis Blueberries in Hope, is almost unheard of, according to the US Small Business Administration. USA
“This exceptional history and the traditions associated with it are integral to the success of the business,” the SBA said, in a news release announcing its annual award to Brodis Blueberries.
Gwen Brodis and her husband, Dick, bought their parents’ farm in 1967 and Gwen has managed the 790 acres with 170 wild blueberries ever since, working the land and growing one of Maine’s iconic crops, along with 15 Brodis members. . family for four generations.
Over the course of their ownership, Gwen and Dick implemented numerous improvements and innovations to increase sales and ensure the success of the business.
With increased yields from land improvements and increased sales from direct-to-consumer marketing, Brodis Blueberries grew over the years under his guidance.
After Dick’s passing in 2016, Gwen’s son-in-law, Ron Howard, took over running the courses and marketing the business. As part of his marketing push, he became involved with numerous industry organizations that collectively market wild blueberries, such as Wild Blueberry Weekend, which promotes farm tours on a model similar to Maine Maple Sunday. New wholesale customers were added, including bakeries, specialty vinegar producers, and winemakers.
The family has also made numerous efforts to diversify the farm’s product range and protect the legacy of a business older than the State of Maine.
Gwen has used the business advisory services of the Small Business Development Centers while the family began looking for new products that could add value to the blueberry crop.
Grandson Jeremy founded Blue Barren Distillery to produce cranberry liqueurs on the farm site and increase the incentive for customers to visit.
A farm store was added, allowing the family to sell frozen wild blueberries, jams, sauces, and pies to visitors year-round, not just during harvest season. Other efforts have increased the farm’s energy efficiency and energy independence, with a heat pump installed at the processing plant and a solar panel installation planned for 2023.
By building on the foundation of previous generations, without being bound by tradition, the Brodis family has showcased the best of Maine family businesses. Thanks to multiple generations working together and bringing new opportunities to their small farm, the future of Brodis Blueberries is secure, possibly for another 265 years.
“Due to the incredible history of the business and significant efforts to ensure the continued success of the business, the SBA is pleased to name Brodis Blueberries the 2023 Jeffrey Butland Family Business for both Maine and New England,” the SBA said. .
https://www.penbaypilot.com/article/small-business-administration-names-brodis-blueberries-maine-and-new-england-s-family/174631
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