Amy gave me an awesome coffee table book yesterday called Family Business. I devoured it last night after dinner. She told me it was a Christmas present - if all Christmas presents are like this I might actually start liking Christmas.
Family Business is a story by Mitch Epstein of the Epstein Family businesses (retail furniture store and real estate) in Holyoke, Massachusetts. Mitch tells the story in both words and amazing photographs of how the American Dream ultimately failed Mitch's father Bill Epstein. It is simultaneously heart warming and heart rendering and probes family, business, and a father-son relationship in unique ways.
As I read the book and looked at the pictures, I kept being reminded of my dad's father Jack Feld. Jack was the patriarch of our family as I grew up - our own personal Jewish Archie Bunker. Jack died a few years ago but I could easily see Jack in Bill Epstein.
As a kid, we used to trek down to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida on a regular basis to visit Grandpa Jack and Grandma Pauline. I was the oldest of the grandchildren (there are four men - me, my brother, and my two cousins) so as the oldest, I got the best and the worst of everything. Last weekend when I was in Aspen with my Uncle Charlie, his kids (Jon and Kenny), my brother Daniel, and our wives, our talk turned to Jack Feld stories one night. My contribution included reminding everyone how - when Jack got home from work at his clothing factory - he'd always kick me out of his chair, which happened to be the one comfortable chair in the living room.
Jack ran a clothing business all of his life. I don't remember what it was like when he lived in New York (I was too young), but I visited his factory in the worst part of Miami several times. His company was a wholesaler - he made the stuff with sequins and pleats that was bought by clothing manufacturers to turn into retail goods. We used to joke that it was the crap you bought off the rack - he'd remind us that it was "real clothing by the big guys." His factory was in a warehouse on a run down block that I was scared to walk down alone. There wasn't a machine in the building made after 1960 ("I don't trust anything that was done after 1959") and the air conditioning consisted of a series of huge exhaust fans hung at the top of one wall. Jack got up every day of the work week (Monday to Friday), drove 30 minutes from his house in Hollywood Hills to his factory, worked until 3pm, and came home by 3:30pm. Every day. No matter what.
I was always surrounded by business as a kid. Jack had a company. My father was a doctor who had his own medical practice. He and my mom created a number of companies - Feld Properties (to manage their real estate investments, including a bunch of rental houses my mom managed), Feld Investments (presumably to manage their investments), and other "Feld X" companies I can't remember any more. It's probably no huge surprise that my first company was called Feld Technologies (named after my dad - of course) and my Uncle Charlies' company was named The Feld Group.
Jack always loved to give advice. He lorded over us and encouraging us in his own special and unique way. As a 15 year old, his advice pissed me off, although I never had the courage to say some derivative of "Grandpa - leave me alone" (e.g. "go screw yourself", or our family favorite "go shit in a hat.") As a 25 year old, I remember sitting in full attention, soaking up every word about his business, what he did,what he learned, and what I should do.
At some point, his son the doctor (my dad) and the typhoons (me and Charlie who had our own businesses at the time - we were never tycoons - always typhoons presumably something to do with hot air) became the center of his business attention. He was endlessly proud of us, which was often motivating but always endearing.
Growing up, the idea of a family business was central to my way of thinking. I was surrounded by self-made people who created businesses out of nothing but ideas and hard work and who dedicated much of their life to the success of their work. When I started my first company at 19, it never occurred to me to get a job - I just did what seemed to come naturally to me. Twenty years later, as I turned the pages on Family Business, its easy to remember where this came from. As I read, I could hear Jack's words. As I looked at pictures of Bill Epstein, I could almost see Jack if I squinted just right.
Jewelry business
This kind of business is quite challenging, you need to have a bigger sum of money to start this bussiness. I know some families who put investment on this business.
Owl Jewelry
What makes owls unique? Owls are unique because unlike most of the birds you see flying above you in broad daylight; owls on the other hand are considered to be nocturnal beings and are highly active only during the night. They have large heads and huge eyes that are faced forward and their extremely large eyes are securely fixed in their sockets. Some of these owls have the capacity to rotate their heads at about 270 degrees! The eyes of... Click here to read more..
Hand Stamped Jewelry
Tiny trinkets are lovely to look at if their designs are in line with your taste. There are millions of designs for jewelry out there and it depends on the artist’s creativity. While other big time or even the starting companies offer to sell pre-made jewelry, some invite you to be creative and to invent a design following your own style. The companies will be delighted to customize it for you for that personalized and unique piece of jewelry that... To read more click here...
Anchor Necklace
Having trouble finding a gift for your girlfriend or boyfriend? If you are, then you might find the information that we present here useful to save you from that mind boggling torture of figuring out what he or she really wants (that is if they won’t tell you). The first thing that you’ll have to keep in mind so that you can narrow down your options is to know what your girlfriend or boyfriend is interested in. Knowing what he... Click here to read more..
Wine Glass Charms
Why do many people think of charms as something that’s totally unnecessary? What most people don’t know is that these charms aren’t just fancy pieces of jewelry intended to make something or someone attractive. Well, true that it does just that but if you take a closer look at the symbols of these charms and what they mean to a person it gives off a different perspective in the eyes of the one who’s viewing it. There is of course... More on http://www.wineglasscharms.org/..
Catholic cross
Using the catholic cross as jewelry is a common sight this days. Some people use it because of their religious beliefs while others simply wear it because it’s stylish and fashionable. Different styles of cross jewelries can be easily found in jewelry stores and online shops. Some are made with gems and precious stones in them while others are made plainly from silver or gold. The catholic cross had played a significant role in history. It is a symbol of... More on this page..
Eyebrow Rings
With so many people getting an eyebrow piercing, more and more types of eyebrow rings and jewelries are also turning up. Having an eyebrow piercing is entirely for aesthetic purpose in the modern world. It makes people look good and its also a fashion statement.Eyebrow jewelries can be placed anywhere in the eyebrow. Some people like placing it in the outer most edge of their brow while others wear them exactly above the eyes. There are different types of eyebrow... To read more click here...
Sideways Cross Necklace
Necklaces are cute and stylish accessories that can be worn in any occasion. They can have different types of pendants made from precious stones or carved metals. One of the most widely talked about necklace today is the sideways cross necklace. This necklace has been seen worn by many celebrities and well known people such as Jessica Biel, Vanessa Hudgens, Taylor Jacobson and Kourtney Kardashian.Along with its gaining popularity different meanings related to it are also being talked about. Some... Continue reading..
Cheap Earrings
Having good quality earrings at a low price is a dream come true for fashionable people, enthusiasts and jewelry collectors. Accessorizing does not need to be expensive all you need to do is to be creative and patient in your search.There are many shops where you can stumble on really cheap earrings. You can search through the internet for some suggestions from other people and visit dollar stores, accessory stores and department stores for affordable accessories. But before buying earrings... Source of information..
Cool Rings
A ring is easy to wear and it is one of the most common types of accessories worn since time immemorial. Accessorizing with cool rings is not only fashionable but also fun. There are lots of amusing rings that you can find in shops and online stores. Anyone can wear creative and unusual rings on their fingers. You don’t need to pay a large sum of money to experience this. Looking for cool rings has also become easier because of... More on this page..
Jewlery Box
If you are a jewelry enthusiast a jewlery box is an important container that you can not miss having. It is an important tool where you can safely keep your precious accessories and jewelries. Jewelry boxes come in different types and form and they are readily available in local stores and online shops.For some people collecting different types of jewelry boxes is pretty rewarding. Aside from buying jewelries and accessories, some people also love to search for unusual and creative... Source..
Mothers Necklace
Mothers are special people who deserve only the best from us. Necklaces for mothers are just one of the wonderful things that a mother can have. A mothers necklace can mean so many things. It can be a representation of love and gratitude from their children or it can contain a memory with her beloved family. Necklaces for mothers come in different styles and designs. There are necklaces made with words and names engraved on its pendants. Some have heart... Read more..
Septum Ring
A septum ring is a type of jewelry worn through septum piercings. The septum is the area that divides the left and the right nostrils. It is made of cartilage tissue but the piercing is not actually made through it. The pierce is done in the sweet spot, a small gap found in the cartilage. This part of the nose is thinner and more flexible and the piercing easily heals in this spot. The procedure is similar to other types... Find out more...
Tritium Watches
Tritium is an element used to make watches glow in the dark. Before tritium was discovered watch manufacturers had a hard time producing watches that glow in the dark or low light. They tried to use backlight that requires the use of battery but it only ended up to fast battery usage. Luminous was also used but it does not last that long and it needs to be exposed to external light to recharge. Another was the use of the... More on this site..
Wrap bracelets
A bracelet is one form of jewelry or as a simple accessory ornamental piece placed at the wrist area to enhance one’s looks and style for today’s fashion and trend as well as for the purpose as allergy indicator and admission patient name tag. However, during the ancient period bracelets are worn because of cultural importance.Bracelets are usually made of metallic material, leathery piece, celluloid material wherein often times it comes with stones, charms, shells and many other added embellishments.... More on this page..
Birthstones For Each Month
Birth stones or birthday stones are gem stones or precious stones where in tradition are designated to a specific birth month. Birthstones for each month were traditionally chosen way back the year 1912 where the concept of birth stones believed to have started. Beliefs, qualities and symbolic representations according to various cultural influences were said to be the primary criteria in assigning birthstones for each month. History of Birthstones ListIt was said that the concept of birth stones believed to... Find out more...
Leather Wrap Bracelet
Leather wrap bracelets are cute and stylish accessories that you can use for almost any occasion. The bracelet is made of leather. It can have a bead work on it or other designs such as charms and imprinted inspirational words. Wearing leather wrap bracelets around the wrists is very trendy. They can be available in different colors such as red, blue, green, brown, black and white. Some makers of this accessory also add precious stones to make it look more... Continue reading..
