Yesterday, I had the pleasure of bringing my freshman daughter, Noralynn, to the Center for Family Business event titled “When Kids Say Yes to the Family Business — Thinking About the Family Business Future.”
The truth is — she didn’t want to go. But several mom business owners encouraged me to bring her anyway, emphasizing that exposure to different businesses and hearing from family business leaders firsthand would be invaluable. So she joined (with a little bribary of promised shopping 
) — and I’m so glad we did.
Meeting the Second-Generation Leaders
The workshop was moderated by Brian Bissell and Elizabeth Anderson of Whittier Trust, and the panel featured two inspiring second-generation leaders:
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- Vy Nguyen, of Nghia Nippers Manufacturing
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- Tommy Nguyen, of Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches
During the interactive portion of the workshop, we had the pleasure of enjoying Tommy’s incredible banh mi sandwiches and crispy egg rolls. Truly, these were some of the most delicious banh mi I’ve ever tasted — the perfect complement to a morning full of learning.
Lessons From the Panel
I encouraged Noralynn to ask a question of the panel, and she hesitantly raised her hand (even gave me a little glare prior) 
:
“What advice would you give to the next generation of kids who want to take over their family business?”
Tommy joked:
“Don’t.”
But then shared some very real advice:
“Soak up as many experiences as you can. Be kind and gracious. Family dynamics can be tough, but the blessings are immense. Hard work gives freedom. Bring that knowledge back one day.”
Vy offered her own thoughtful perspective:
“I won’t force my kids to take over. I’ll have them work in the business and understand the struggle, but then I encourage them to gain experiences elsewhere. The business will still be here when they’re ready. They’re lucky to have this as a foundation — it gives them what I like to call ‘cheat skills’ in life.”
By the end, Noralynn was telling me what she liked and what she learned from each of the businesses that presented. Watching her interest made the day even more meaningful.
Connecting Over Food and Community
After the workshop, we stopped by Moo Cafe, owned by my college friend Hung Le — a cybersecurity manager at The Aerospace Company by day, and barista/business owner by night.
We indulged in his Vietnamese yogurt strawberry drink and mangonada with chamoy, which were absolutely delicious. It was the perfect way to end a day of learning, reflection, and bonding.
Gratitude
A huge thank you to:
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- Tim Schultz and Annie Hong for organizing such a fantastic workshop
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- Moderators Brian Bissell and Elizabeth Anderson
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- Panelists Tommy Nguyen and Vy Nguyen for sharing their time, wisdom, and experiences
And finally, a very special thank you to my little girl, Noralynn, for coming along, asking questions, and telling me her thoughts. I love you. 
Key Takeaways
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- Exposure Matters: Even if your kids don’t think they want to attend, experiencing family business environments can be a great experience.
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- Learn From Experience: Work out of the business and in the business, see the struggle, but also explore the world — the business will be there when you’re ready.
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- Hard Work Pays Off: Family businesses teach lessons in perseverance, gratitude, and collaboration that last a lifetime.
- Connection is Everything: Sharing experiences across generations builds understanding, curiosity, and a deeper bond.