16 GERMINATION.CA NOVEMBER 2017 WE ALL KNOW the saying, “You can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family.” And for many people, the idea of working with family members would solicit a resounding response of “No, thank you!” However, for others, they wouldn’t have it any other way. Simon Ellis is one of these individuals. As owner and sales manager at Ellis Seeds, a fourth-generation family seed retailer in Wawanesa, Man. (54 km south- east of Brandon), he says, “Working with family is very rewarding.” Ellis graduated from Assiniboine Community College in Brandon in 2013. It was at that point he assumed more responsibility at his family’s company. “I currently work with my dad and mom, who are slowly stepping back from the business,” he explains. “My role has reached a point where I am making the majority of the business decisions. I focus on developing new busi- ness relationships, logistics, and running day-to-day tasks with help from our employees.” In 2015, Simon’s wife Amanda joined Ellis Seeds and is responsible for the financial and administrative side of the business. Recently, her father also came onboard, bringing with him many years of sales and management experience. “Our family is very fortunate in that everyone can communicate with each other very well,” says Ellis. “There is a trust that you wouldn’t find with other employees. The biggest challenge is the fear of dam- aging a strong family relationship; businesses can be stressful during challenging times. It is important to remember everyone wants what is best for the family and business.” This is the same belief that has endured for nearly a century when Ernest Ellis (Simon’s great-grandfather) started Ellis Seeds in 1923. At that time, Ernest shipped grass seed across the Prairies because of the need to provide a quality product and produce productive land. Since then, Frank (Ernest’s son) took the reins, followed by his son, Warren, who is Simon’s father. “We take pride in that our product has flowed through Successfully navigating the pitfalls that are unique to family enterprises can reap great benefits for everyone involved. Lisa Kopochinski THEGOOD,BADANDUGLY OFWORKINGINAFAMILYBUSINESS The Ellis Seeds family. From left: Simon Ellis and his wife Amanda and son Lincoln; Megan, Karen, Andrea and Warren Ellis.