Episode 3: The Mariani Family; So Much More Than Dried Prunes, Peaches or Pears.

Today Natalie sits down with George Sousa Jr., president of the Mariani Family Premium Dried Fruit & Packing Company. He also happens to be Natalie’s cousin. George and Natalie give a detailed look at the good, the bad and the ugly of running a multi-generational family company, which has been around for over 100 years. What happens when you have dozens of owners? What happens when family members want out? What happens when they want a job? How do you navigate working with other employees when your last name is on the package? George takes you through his experience with all these scenarios as well as his belief that transparency and honesty are the foundation of good leadership in a company. George also shares a gruesome accident that shaped his life and taught him about perseverance and why the Mariani’s turned down an opportunity to be early owners of Apple stock. Visit Mariani Family Premium Dried Fruit & Packing Company websiteVisit the Capital Region Family Business Center here