Hooray for Kids Day: What It Means to Grow a Family Business - Together

At Ford Search Partners, mentorship is more than a buzzword – it’s embedded into everything we do. So when Hooray for Kids Day rolls around on August 4th, we’re all for celebrating its purpose: recognising the role of guidance, support, and connection between generations.

This year, the celebration hits particularly close to home.

In 2025, Ford Search Partners officially became a family business – not just in spirit, but in structure. After decades in recruitment and executive search, the husband-and-wife founders recently welcomed their son, Josh, into the company. As a team, they’re now building something across generations – with shared purpose, personal investment, and a few growing pains along the way.

Here’s what each of them had to say about working together:

A Shared Purpose, A Family Win

“There’s an unspoken trust that’s hard to replicate elsewhere. I know that whatever happens, we’re in it together for the long haul. When we win, it’s a family win – and that’s incredibly motivating.”

“After 25 years in the industry, knowing that my work now shapes not only my future, but also Gav’s and Josh’s, brings enormous personal fulfilment. We’re united by a shared purpose – and that’s incredibly special.”

“Working with family helps me feel included. Being younger than everyone else at the company could easily make me feel out of place – but being with people who know me, who help me grow, gives me confidence.”

The Challenges: Boundaries and Balance

Like any work dynamic, building a business as a family comes with its own set of challenges.

“It’s been a learning curve to separate family roles from business roles – taking off the ‘mum and dad’ hats and putting on the ‘boss’ ones.”

“Emotional reactions can creep into professional decisions if you’re not conscious of them. And conversations that start as business-related can easily spill into personal life.”

“It can be tough not to feel like I’m in their shadow. I want to make a name for myself – not just be the person who came up through them. That part’s important to me.”

From Hesitations to Highlights

Despite some initial reservations, the transition has been smoother – and more rewarding – than expected.

“I had my doubts at first. It’s natural to wonder if a family member might coast. But Josh has shown maturity beyond his years, and he’s growing fast in both recruitment and operations.”

“Honestly, the transition has felt natural. I’ve always heard about the business at home, so joining it felt like the next small step in life. I already understood what was what.”

“It’s been amazing to see Josh find his feet. I’ve had to learn how to stop parenting at work and focus on empowering him instead of micromanaging.”

Advice for Other Families in Business

So, what advice would they give to other families thinking about working together?

“Set clear boundaries. Define roles early. Communicate openly and often – and make time to still enjoy being a family outside of work.”

“Don’t assume it’ll all fall into place just because you’re related. Be intentional about your working relationship.”

“For me, I try to treat home and work as two different places, with two different versions of our relationship. That’s what works best for us.”

More Than Just a Job

For this team, bringing family into the fold hasn’t just strengthened the business – it’s deepened their bond.

“I didn’t expect how much I’d value hearing Josh contribute to work conversations. It’s emotional, in the best way.”

“Working together has helped our relationship. I feel more included and connected, and I’m keen to keep learning.”

This Hooray for Kids Day, we’re not just celebrating the children we love – we’re celebrating the relationships we’re building, the lessons we’re learning from one another, and the shared path we’re now walking as a family business.

Here’s to mentorship, to growth – and to families who take the leap together.