A Seat at the Table – Details, episodes & analysis

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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 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 Catholic saints' lives and his eventual baptism into Catholicism. This newfound faith not only redefined their personal lives but also reshaped their family dynamics and charitable endeavors. As the eldest of ten children, Dave Leatherby Jr. shares his unique perspective on how his parents' commitment to their faith influenced their family and community, despite facing challenges and anti-Catholic sentiment in their Midwest roots.

In the conversation, Natalie delves into the establishment of Leatherby's Family Creamery, a family business built on the solid foundation of faith and values. Dave Sr.'s unwavering commitment to his Catholic faith permeated every aspect of their lives, from never missing daily Mass to integrating these values into their business. Listen in as they explore how this faith-driven optimism and joy laid the groundwork for a successful and joyful family enterprise, creating a legacy that continues to inspire and connect people through shared experiences and service.

The journey wasn't without its trials, however. You'll hear stories of overcoming financial struggles, skepticism from banks, and the pivotal moments of support from unexpected places, such as the generous loan from Mr. Ratterman and the transformative feature by the Sacramento Bee. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, the importance of community, perseverance, and divine providence in building and sustaining Leatherby's Family Creamery is clear. This episode is a testament to the power of faith, family, and the enduring impact of generosity and kindness in both personal and business life.

To learn more about Leatherby's Family Creamery visit: https://leatherbys.net/
To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit:https://capfamilybus.org/
To learn more about our sponsor, River City Bank, visit: https://rivercitybank.com/

Episode Highlights
(01:56 - 03:19) Life-Changing Encounter With Catholic Faith
(12:13 - 13:18) Impact of Positive Spirit and Joy
(15:57 - 17:12) From Salesman to Ice Cream Entrepreneur
(20:14 - 21:05) Legacy of Longstanding Ice Cream Parlor
(22:58 - 24:40) Ice Cream Parlor Business Development
(33:05 - 34:20) Leatherby Family Creamy Business Success
(41:36 - 42:52) Family's Contribution to Business Franchise
(47:27 - 48:55) Family Business Struggles and Resilience
(51:51 - 53:05) Importance of Family Business Communication
(01:04:44 - 01:05:50) Act of Kindness in Community

Chapter Summaries
(00:00) Family Embraces Faith and Generosity
Dave Sr. and Sally's transformative journey to Catholicism reshapes their family dynamics and charitable endeavors.

(09:28) Family Business Built on Faith
My father's unwavering Catholic faith shaped our

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE

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 journey from a tight-knit family operation to a successful enterprise with over 200 employees. The conversation is rich with nostalgia as they recount tales of childhood antics, unexpected lessons learned alongside a pizza parlor, and even the time the Folsom Zoo called for help with a bear named Ursula.

As the business has evolved, so have the roles and dynamics within the Burger family. Carol reflects on the unplanned path that led her to entrepreneurship and the resilience required to navigate the healthcare industry's shifting landscape. Sean and Eric candidly discuss how they carved out their own niches within the company, balancing individual passions with family expectations. From sports performance clinics to diversifying skill sets beyond clinical roles, the brothers highlight the importance of innovation and respect in transitioning leadership to the second generation. Their story offers valuable insights into the complexities and opportunities of running a family business.

Healthcare industry challenges are numerous, from administrative burdens to high clinician turnover rates, but the Burgers present a hopeful perspective on the future. They tackle tough subjects like work-life balance and the competitive job market while celebrating the profound impact of dedicated care. Personal stories, including that of a long-term client whose life was transformed through therapy, underscore the deep sense of purpose that drives their work. With every triumph and setback, the Burger family exemplifies the power of perseverance, the importance of a supportive network, and the joy of small victories along the road to success.

For more information on Burger Rehabilitation, you can visit the website HERE.

Chapter Summaries

(00:00) Burger Rehabilitation Systems Family Introduction
The Burger family shares their roles and the history of their family-run business, which offers various healthcare services in the Sacramento area.

(09:19) Growing Up in the Family Business
Childhood memories, family involvement, and unique experiences in the early days of the Burger family business.

(18:53) Evolution of Family Business Roles
Family tradition, stability, and diversifying skills shape career paths in healthcare within a family-run company.

(24:12) Navigating Family Business Autonomy and Control
Carol and her sons reflect on their journey in a family business, emphasizing resilience, adaptability, leadership challenges, and mentorship.

(32:14) Navigating Family Business Vision
Transitioning leadership in a family business, balancing personalities and perspectives, generational shift, establishing clear path for second generation's leadership.

(45:02) Challenges and Opportunities in Healthcare
Healthcare industry challenges include high costs, insurance complexities, clinician turnover, and evolving attitudes towards work-life balance.

(53:43) Family Business Encouragement and Support
Persistence, continuous learning, and small victories contribute to personal growth and development.

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE

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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 construction products to a robust pillar in the construction industry. Don's account of his and his brother's ascent to the ranks of co-CEOs, under the guiding influence of their father's fervor, is not just a story—it's an inspiring blueprint for nurturing a family business across the decades.

Venture with us into the core of family-centric leadership, where work-life harmony paints the daily canvas, and discover the delicate dance of co-running a company with a sibling. As Don describes the art of balancing brotherhood with business, we uncover the value of external coaching and the far-reaching impact it has on preserving family ties within the company framework. This episode is not merely an overview; it's an insightful guide into the intricacies of multi-generational success and the strategies that have fortified Clark Pacific's familial foundation.

Our discussion reaches a crescendo as we celebrate the innate strengths that give family businesses an edge over corporate behemoths. Don passionately illustrates how a culture of care and personal support not only cements long-term careers but also fosters an environment where employees thrive like family. If you've ever wondered about the ingredients that make family enterprises resilient through economic ebbs and flows, this episode serves up the answers, highlighting how they adapt, support, and triumph through each challenge. Join us for a heartening exploration into the world of family business, where every success is built on the shoulders of shared values and strong relationships.


For more information on Clark Pacific, you can visit their website: https://www.clarkpacific.com/

For more information about the Family Business Center visit:  Capital Region Family Business Center website

To learn more about how our sponsor, River City Bank may help your family business, visit their website: River City Bank

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE

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 Great Depression, their strategic foray into viticulture, and the birth of their own wine label, illustrating the powerful blend of luck, strategic shifts, and familial collaboration that has crafted the Bogle success story.

Listen in as we traverse the intimate path of Bogle Vineyards, from Jodi's nostalgic childhood in the rural serenity of Clarksburg to the vineyard's expansion and commitment to sustainability. This conversation celebrates the lessons of hard work, the influence of matriarchal leadership, and the role of family dynamics in the business. Hear about the inception of new wine brands that cater to modern tastes and sustainability, including the innovative 'Elemental Wines' with its eco-friendly aluminum bottles, all while maintaining the ethos of quality and value cherished by the Bogle family.

Wrapping up our discussion, we candidly address the intricacies of being a female leader in the wine industry. Jody shares her experiences balancing career and home life, the importance of a family-first culture within the workplace, and the unique perspectives women bring to leadership. Her insights offer guidance and inspiration to women navigating their professional journeys, emphasizing the enriching nature of integrating personal and professional roles. Listen for a heartening blend of storytelling, family heritage, and entrepreneurial spirit that has defined the Bogle family's enduring legacy. And of course, enjoy the story with a nice glass of wine.

To learn more visit: Bogle Family Vineyards.

For more information about the Family Business Center visit:  Capital Region Family Business Center website

To learn more about how our sponsor, River City Bank may help your family business, visit their website: River City Bank

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE

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 businessman landed them investment money which allowed them to fulfill that dream.

With no experience running a restaurant and nearly no research into location, food costs, equipment costs or restaurant management, the family launched Mikuni 36 years ago. Even while plagued by debt and mistakes, Taro’s infectious energy and his commitment to make customers feel welcome and satisfied helped Mikuni to grow into one of the best known and loved restaurants in northern California.

This is a story of family dynamics, demonstrating how personal growth and business acumen can harmonize beautifully and how to balance work with the joys of familial connection. Taro recounts the family's expansion, the trials of partnership and ownership, and the resilience instilled by his father. As we look toward the family's aspiration of reaching 50 locations by their 50th anniversary, the sense of optimism is palpable. This episode isn't just about growth; it's homage to the relentless pursuit of big dreams and the community spirit that turns them into reality.

For more details about Mikuni Sushi visit http://www.mikunisushi.com

For more information about the Family Business Center visit:  Capital Region Family Business Center website

To learn more about how our sponsor, River City Bank may help your family business, visit their website: River City Bank

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE

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 resilience. This episode peels back the layers of their journey, from facing the hardships of leadership within a family to the powerful words of encouragement that shifted a moment of grief into a drive for success.

The delicate balance of personal and professional roles that Roy and Ryan have developed came at a cost. Hear Roy's experience when a higher-paying job opportunity tested familial loyalty, and how the challenges of managing expectations within a family business become a daily reality. This candid conversation also addresses the growth born from tough love, as we learn how earning respect and experience in the workplace is non-negotiable, even for family members.

Finally,  it's the intricacies of family business succession and the fortitude to face financial adversity head-on that bring the story home. Roy and Ryan's story is not just about the survival of a business but also about the strength of relationships that carry a company through its darkest hours. As they share how a banking relationship and debt relief was a cornerstone in their rebound, this episode exemplifies hope for family businesses navigating their paths through uncertainty, all while holding onto the values that define and drive them towards a future built on solid ground, trust and faith.

You can find Elite Service Experts on line by visiting: https://elite.gs/

For more information about the Family Business Center visit:  Capital Region Family Business Center website

To learn more about how our sponsor, River City Bank may help your family business, visit their website: River City Bank

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE

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 only to find a highly leveraged situation that went from optmistic to nearly broke.

A testament to the power of dreaming big, adapting to change, and seizing opportunities came from unexpected challenges. Then there's the critical role of building a strong team and fostering commitment within a business. Mark shares the essential elements that bind a team together: a compelling vision, strategic resource allocation, and an unyielding dedication to the shared goal. As a leader, he also emphasizes the contagious nature of commitment and the significance of understanding the founder's 'why'. You'll hear valuable insights into the dynamics of family businesses, the joy of shared success, and the profound impact of love and potential in creating unity.

Finally, Natalie and Mark candidly discuss the balance between investor involvement and executive freedom, stressing the benefits of trust and personal investment in a company's success. Through his narrative, we see how entrepreneurs can craft a business that operates independently, enabling a life that harmonizes with their deepest values. Whether a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode offers wisdom on leadership, resilience, and the pursuit of a fulfilled life.

To learn more about The Growth Factory visit https://growthfactory.us/

For more information about the Family Business Center visit:  Capital Region Family Business Center website

To learn more about how our sponsor, River City Bank may help your family business, visit their website: River City Bank

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE

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 to life after he had passed.  Amina Zeldner reflects on the origin of the business, the intense desire Ishai had to spread the word of the new varietals in honey and how the children literally returned to the business after leaving for careers of their own.  Listen as you discover the bond this family has and how it came to support the creation of something their father had only dreamt of.

Learn more about The Hive by visiting https://zspecialtyfood.com/meet-the-team/

For more information about the Family Business Center visit:  Capital Region Family Business Center website

To learn more about how our sponsor, River City Bank may help your family business, visit their website: River City Bank

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have.

Natalie talks with Jennifer Carriere-LaDuke, who is a 4th generation owner, board member, and marketing wiz for her 133 year old family farming business, Carriere Family Farms. 

The business started with her great grandfather coming to the Sacramento area from Canada where he worked for a farmer clearing thick vegetation from the land surrounding the Sacramento River and helped planting row crops. Before long he fell in love with the farmer's daughter and became part of a family farm that has passed from generation to generation since the 1890's. 

Jennifer shares the importance of true authenticity in the boardroom and in a marketing strategy, what it’s like being managed by a younger cousin that she used to take to the movies, and why they started a family summer camp to introduce city kids in the family to farm life. 

Visit Carriere Family Farms website

Visit the Capital Region Family Business Center website

Sponsor: 

River City Bank

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE

Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have.

Join the conversation as your host,  Natalie Mariani-Kling delves into Sacramento history by talking with Kevin Fat, a 3rd generation member of the Frank Fat’s Restaurant Group family. Frank Fat’s in downtown Sacramento stands as the oldest family owned restaurant in the city, having opened in 1939 and still being owned and run by members of the Fat family. 

Kevin talks about the history of Fat’s, how his grandfather first came to America from China at age 16 and even with a language barrier, his personality, integrity and love of people helped him forge relationships that would help him open his namesake restaurant. Little did he know his restaurant, which opened in a neighborhood akin to skid row, would become populated by all the politicians and movers and shakers in Sacramento decade after decade. 

Kevin also shares the role his mother, Lina, had in growing the family business into multiple restaurants and becoming the Executive Chef of Fat City Bar and Cafe and China Camp.  The latter helping to revitalize Old Sacramento.  Her self-taught culinary skills left an indelible mark on the menus.

Today Kevin oversees Fat’s three current restaurants, Frank Fat’s and two locations of Fat’s Asian Bistro and Dim Sum Bar in Folsom and Roseville. 

Visit Frank Fat’s website

Visit Fat’s Asian Bistro website

Visit the Capital Region Family Business Center website

Sponsor: 

River City Bank

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE