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How do I acquire the former customers of my parents' failing business without my parents resenting me?
My family business is going bankrupt. The plan was for my wife and I to take it over throughout the next few years, but the business has been going downhill. Now I've started my own business doing the same thing because it is what I love and the customers are saying they want to come with me. Is there any crime here? My father is trying to pin the failure of his business on me.

Asked by applehead22
Posted: Thursday, January 31, 2008  |  Found in Starting Up


More answers by Elinor Robin
Answer by Elinor Robin
There is no easy answer to this question. Your issue goes beyond business. This is more about disappointment, betrayal and humiliation than it is about dollars and cents--or dollars and sense. It is hard enough for any man to lose his business. Believing that he is losing it to his son adds insult to injury. Attempt to sit down and have a heart to heart talk with your father. Listen more then talk. Ultimately, he may or may not be able to see the logical benefit to you taking his clients as opposed to having them go elsewhere. If he cannot give you his blessing then you will have to decide which is more important--your relationship with your parents or building your business. Remember, if you do not pursue these clients and they go elsewhere you can always try to win them over in the future, once your father has had a chance to heal from this episode.

Best of luck,
Elinor Robin
Elinor Robin, "The Relationship Mediator," has more than 18 years of experience in mediation while working within the public and private sectors.


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