When I was in my late thirties, I experienced a last day of work unlike most. Before the first 15 minutes of the morning were gone, I was punched in the mouth, my shirt was torn and the CEO had his hands around my neck.
That CEO was my uncle; and that day marked the end of a strange trip through the world of our family business. In an instant I lost my job, my family and my identity.
However bad it ended for me, our family business started with good intentions. Our parents thought it would be great to provide financially for future generations and keep the family close. As kids, we were excited to attach ourselves to something bigger than ourselves, something transcendent and exclusive.