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In this episode, I sit down with Adreana Alvarez, founder of Love Her Shop, and her son Adrian, founder of Eras Shorts—their story is the kind that reminds you why family businesses really are unique.

Adreana started with a problem every active mom recognizes: leggings that were overpriced, see-through, or constantly sliding down mid-workout. With encouragement (and engineering-minded problem-solving) from her husband, she built a better option—then built a movement around it. What began as pop-ups at gyms and farmers markets became an online explosion during COVID… and before she fully realized it, she’d sold over $1M out of her garage.

But this isn’t just a “quick growth” story. It’s a community-first story—rooted in her dad’s journey from a third-grade education to building restaurants that became gathering places, and carried forward through Adreana’s decision to create a brand that is high quality, affordable, and purpose-driven. The name Love Her came from a moment outside an ER that reframed everything: this business wasn’t just a brand—it was a mission to give back to women.

Then there’s Adrian—watching his mom print labels, pack orders, and make post office runs—and realizing, “If she can do it, I can learn it.” He takes what he learned in the warehouse and on sourcing trips and applies it to his own niche: affordable team shorts that help underfunded teams look and feel unified. And yes—he shares how Eras Shorts has been successful enough to help him pay for college while he still pursues broader business experience.

We also get real about what it’s like to work with family: the code-switching, the boundaries, the respect, the conflict, and the pride. Three generations deep, the common threads are clear: fearlessness, values, and the decision to put people at the center—without losing the business fundamentals.

You can find Love Her Shop on line by visiting the website, www.lovehershop.com

00:00 – The garage-to-growth moment
Orders explode overnight, and Adriana realizes the side hustle is turning into something real.

02:05 – Meet Adreana + Adrian: three generations of entrepreneurship
Introductions, family-business roots, and how entrepreneurship was “normal” in their household.

10:05 – The origin stories: restaurants → promo business → Coca-Cola lessons
Adriana’s dad builds community through restaurants, Adriana builds and sells her first business, then learns distribution and operations at Coca-Cola.

28:25 – The COVID pivot: severance gamble → online launch → $1M wake-up call
Bootstrapping the website, community activation, and the surprise discovery that sales crossed a million.

40:20 – Purpose + product: engineered leggings, accessible pricing, giving back
Stitching-as-contour, high-quality/low-price commitment, tariff transparency, and the “Love Her” mission moment.

54:10 – Eras Shorts + working with family: building a brand, boundaries, values
Adrian’s team-short niche, funding and growth, paying for college, and how they code-switch between family and business.

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE. To learn more about River City Bank and how they can benefit your family business, visit www.rivercitybank.com

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This episode I'm speaking with Roz Van Auker, wife of Ken Endelman, the founder of Balanced Body. The story begins with an unexpected twist of fate and the touch of skilled craftsmanship. Imagine Ken with hands expertly shaping the first Pilates machine, with Roz, his wife, orchestrating logistics while nurturing a young family. This episode invites you to witness the evolution of a humble family business into a global leader, with over 400 employees championing Pilates education worldwide through initiatives like Pilates on Tour. Roz and Ken embody the harmonious blend of family and business, weaving a tapestry of support and inclusivity that extends beyond blood relations to a vibrant community of Pilates professionals.

Community is the heart that beats within Balanced Body, and this episode uncovers how the company stands as a connector in both personal and professional spheres. We explore the value of instilling generosity and community service in younger generations, fostering a culture where giving back becomes second nature. Discover how Balanced Body's dedication to building a supportive network has created unexpected avenues for growth, transforming the simple act of connecting studio owners and teachers into a business philosophy steeped in meaningful relationships and shared success.

You're invited to a nostalgic journey through the joys of hospitality, where simple gestures like hosting a dinner can spark genuine connections. Reflecting on the enduring marriage of Roz and Ken, the episode shares insights into the magic of understanding and mutual support that fuels family unity and business success. With laughter, shared experiences, and a supportive community, we reveal how these elements intertwine to craft a fulfilling life and a resilient family business. Join us in celebrating the power of family, community, and the joy of giving back, as we share stories that inspire and unite.

To learn more about Balanced Body, visit the website: https://www.pilates.com/

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE. To learn more about River City Bank and how they can benefit your family business, visit www.rivercitybank.com

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In this episode your host Natalie Kling sits down with Andrew and Allie Taylor—spouses, co-CEOs, and founders behind Conveyance Solutions (ERP implementations for industrial distributors) and Orange Kiwi (family-business consulting). They unpack Andrew’s shift from sole CEO to sharing the reins with Allie—what it cost in control and “relational equity,” and what it unlocked in scale and systems. You’ll hear their simple but powerful shorthand—“squiggly line vs. straight line”—for balancing entrepreneurial improvisation with operational discipline, and how a family “safe word” (“albatross”) protects home life from shop talk. Allie frames why emotional intelligence (self-awareness, other-awareness, self-regulation) is a core performance driver in family firms, while Andrew illustrates how “rational” debates (like upgrading an ERP) often mask identity and control concerns. They share candid lessons on working with three of their six kids in the business, the dangers of enablement and artificial harmony, and why embracing community and grace—for yourself and each other—keeps a multigenerational enterprise healthy. Yes, you'll recognize the practiced sense of "therapy" in their personal and professional structure and that's no wonder. It's quite intentional, actually. "Allie" is Dr. Allie Taylor and holds a PhD in psychology. Enjoy the episode.

To learn more about Orange Kiwi, you can visit the website: www.ockiwi.com

If you would like more information about Conveyance Soutions, visit: www.conveyance365.com

Chapter Summaries

(00:00) Navigating Challenges in Family Businesses
Andrew and Allie share their experience as co-CEOs of their family business, discussing the challenges of scaling and balancing spontaneity with necessary systems.
(10:03) Navigating Emotions in Family Businesses
Balancing family dynamics and business operations in family-run enterprises, using "albatross" as a safe word, and the importance of emotional intelligence.
(18:25) Navigating Family Business Dynamics
Family businesses face challenges blending dynamics, navigating conflict, and adapting to generational resistance.
(28:32) Balancing Family Dynamics in Business
Family businesses led by first-generation founders struggle with transitioning to modern systems and balancing family involvement with individual aspirations.
(38:45) Family Business Challenges With Grace
Entrepreneurial families face mental health challenges, coping behaviors, and the role of luck in achieving success.

To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE. To learn more about River City Bank and how they can benefit your family business, visit www.rivercitybank.com