What an honor it was for Bear’s Plumbing Services, LLC in Spring TX to not only be nominated but invited to the awards ceremony for the Texas Family Business of the year banquet.  The Baylor Family business motto is one I think we should all strive for “Put faith back on the table”

On November 3, 2017, the Institute for Family Business honored outstanding family businesses within the state of Texas.  Bear, some friends and I attended the 28th anniversary of the awards program. Baylor University’s Institute for Family Business has hosted the Texas Family Business of the Year awards program every year since 1989. The Awards event was held in the Paul L. Foster Campus for Business and Innovation in the Meyer Conference Center.  This was an outstanding facility.

This event draws hundreds of family business owners annually to the Baylor campus and not only recognizes and promotes outstanding family businesses but also is a valuable networking and development tool for family business honorees and undergraduate students who are invited to the afternoon family business forum and evening awards banquet. The forum guest speaker was Mike O’Krent of Lifestories Alive, LLC.  His presentation of Capturing the essence was exactly what I needed to hear.

Texas Family Business of the Year firms are recognized in three size categories and several special categories recognizing: Family Values, Excellent Management, Community Commitment, Rapid Growth, Stewardship, Founders and Heritage Awards.  These businesses that were recognized were truly great role models for us.  I want us to strive for  these qualities in our life and business.

Bear and I thoroughly enjoyed going  to the forum which was very educational as well as the awards banquet.  I left the forum and the awards ceremony ignited and excited about the business we have built together not only for our family but for our employees and their families, and our community.  To one day be able to give back the way these companies that we met this weekend do is quite frankly inspiring.

I am excited everyday to get up and go to work with my husband.  Who gets to do that?  I do! I am so proud of Bear, his accomplishments, the husband, the father, & businessman he is.

A few fun things I came away with from the forum & banquet:

1. God first
2. Family second
3. Business third
4. I want our employees to feel like they are part of the family
5. Treat others as you want to be treated
6. Keep a smile on your face and be happy
7. Have a drink at 5 O’clock every day

Thank you Michelle, Jennifer, Brian, & Ronny for your support, friendship and encouragement.