Family Business Hats

There are an estimated 32.4 million family businesses in the United States, about 87 percent of business tax returns, according to figures cited by the Family Enterprise USA. Most never make it to the next generation: one widely cited study found that only 30 percent pass to the second generation, 12 percent reach the third and just 3 percent get to the fourth or beyond. Fuller and Son Hardware, founded in 1921 and now in its fourth generation, is one of the rare ones. The people who take over tend to be wry about it. A woodworking heir told MEL Magazine he swore he would leave town the day he turned 18 and never become a woodworker. Columnist Gene Marks warned that anyone taking over will probably face accusations of nepotism, and that Mom and Dad may refuse to retire in peace. These Family Business hats put that mix of pride and eye-rolling on a dad hat: the "& Son" on the sign, the heir to the hardware store, the nepotism benefits package, the tire shop that is definitely not the mafia, the feud that came with the keys and the long wait to be next in line. Every design is custom embroidered. They suit the person who grew up behind the register, and the family who is happy to hand them the shop.