Sibling Strength & Second Generation Growth | Ben Soles & Brandee Poland of Soles Enterprises

Episode notes

Ben Soles and Brandee Poland share lessons on leadership, family dynamics, and growing a next-gen business through honesty and shared purpose. Ben Soles and Brandee Poland, second-generation siblings of Soles Enterprises, share how their family business has grown through courage, communication, and collaboration. Founded in 2007 by their parents, the company manufactures tarps for grain elevators and agricultural storage facilities across the Midwest. What began as a father-and-son venture evolved into a multigenerational enterprise, but not without challenges. When differing visions created tension between Ben and his father, they sought outside facilitation through the Prairie Family Business Association, where open dialogue and counseling helped redefine goals and relationships. [00:18:52] “It’s not about you or your feelings - it’s about what’s best for the company.” Once we realized that we were after kind of different things… my dad had set up a really good company and realized that it met what he wanted to do. Today, Ben focuses on R&D and product innovation, while Brandee leads sales and marketing.

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