Father & Son In Business
Drs. Bob & Derek Durbin Durbin Dental General Dentistry Bob began practice in 1978. Derek joined practice in 2004.
Bob(father, right): “We look out for each other. I have the time to be there on the weekends to take care of the office. At some point Derek will have to take over the business side of the practice, but right now his family comes first. Business can come later.”
Derek (son, left): “I know how to do dentistry, but running a business is a whole other thing. I think I would have failed if I had to do it on my own. Dad has had my back for the past 30 years, and now I will have his back for the rest of his life.”
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Hayden, Chris & David St. John Lawyer’s Title of Topeka, Inc. Title Insurance & Real Estate Closing Hayden began company in 1975. Chris joined company in 1985. David joined company in 1999.
Chris (son, left): “Dad is one of the most respected title experts in the state. This business is in his blood. Dad may not be here as much, but he will always have an office here. He’s still the boss.”
Hayden (father, center): “It is any father’s dream to be able to work with his two boys on a daily basis.
I bring the experience, and my boys bring new ideas and new technology to the business to keep it moving forward.”
David (son, right): “Growing up, we saw what worked for dad to be successful. We can follow in those footsteps. The integrity he displayed showed us the right way to do business.”
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Stu & Mike EntzEntz & Entz PAWorkers CompensationDefense & ConstructionLitigation
Stu began practice in 1965.Mike joined practice in 1996.
Stu (father, left): “My most memorable moment in over 30 years of practice is standing in an empty courtroom, alone with my son, when Judge Jackson approved a $1.6 billion dollar settlement from the tobacco industry on behalf of our client, the State of Kansas. Sharing that moment with my son was truly incredible.”
Mike (son, right): “My dad is a true mentor. It was never the idea of ‘sink or swim’ because he took time to make sure I understood everything. My dad could have retired after that landmark tobacco case, but he chose to stay and help transition the business so the clients would be taken care of, and I could create my own success.”
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Tom, Gary & Ernie HaagHaag Oil Company, LLC
Retail & Wholesale Fuel Distributor Tom purchased first gas station in 1970. Ernie--farm business since 1983. Gary--oil business since 1995.
Tom (father, center): “Kids need to learn a good work ethic, where money comes from, and that if you want money, you have to work hard for it. I never gave my kids everything they wanted—but I gave them a job and let them earn the money themselves.”
Gary (son, left): “It has never been a struggle working with my dad. He has a great entrepreneurial spirit and lets me pursue mine as well. My relationship with dad has always been centered around business because I grew up surrounded by the business.”
Ernie (son, right): “Growing up watching dad do business taught me to think for myself and to never be afraid to make my own decisions.”
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Jerry & Chris ArmstrongCapp’s Bike ShopRetail Bicycle StoreJerry purchased store in 1986.Chris joined business in 1999.
Chris (son, left): “We get along great, but with family there’s always that point where you take it farther than what you would with a different boss. Working together has strengthened our relationship. We hang out like buddies. More or less I steer the ship on the retail side and he runs the engine by handling the books and the numbers.”
Jerry (father, right): “Chris came in and blew me away with his overall awareness. He is extremely knowledgeable about the products, and he can work with any customer who walks in the door. Don’t tell Chris, but I wouldn’t trade him for anything. He may be steering the ship, but every now and then I have to point out the icebergs.”
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Tim & Noel EtzelJetz Service Inc.Commercial & Domestic Laundry EquipmentTim began company after 1966 tornado.Noel joined company in 2002 after receiving his master’s degree in nuclear engineering.
Tim (father, right): “Noel is very analytical and exact. Instead of Ready. Aim. Fire. I am more like Fire. Aim. Ready. My standard response is ‘write the business, we’ll figure it out.’ Noel would be more ‘whoa, slow down we have issues with logistics…’ It’s a healthy mix that makes the business better.
Noel (son, left): “Dad has always emphasize that because I am the son there is a lot more expected of me than anyone else in the company. Both my parents have put their hearts and souls into this business to get it where it is today. I have big shoes to fill.”
