The best family -owned firms in southern California will be honored March 20 At the Center for the Family Business Hall, the unit in the Cal State Business and Economy College Fullerton that he is committed to mentoring and supporting the family business sector. Cindi Bigelow, the General Director of the third generation of Bigelow Tea, will be the main speaker at the Westin Anaheim Resort event.
“Fame Hall Awards highlight the important contributions that family businesses make to our community,” said Tim Schultz, director of the Family Business Center, mentioning that family businesses make up 59% of the US jobs and 54% of the Nation’s GDP. “These awards offer an opportunity to get to know and celebrate the best of the best.”
Current winners include Ayres Hotels, Northgate Gonzalez Markets, 7 leaves, Hydraflow and College Advanced Beauty College. Past fame winners have included manufacturers, supermarket chains, private schools, technology firms and much more, demonstrating the widespread impact of the family business on the regional economy. Wienschnitzel, teachers created materials and F. Gavina & Sons are just some of the names of the houses that have received these awards in previous years. The main speakers ranging from Lynsi Snyder from In-N-out to Peter Mondavi from Charles Krug Winery have illuminated the attendees and provided a link to the best and brightest in the field. Annual recognition is the only familiar family business price donated by a university in Southern California.
This year’s event includes recognition for five categories: developing family businesses, which are known for their early steps to become a multi-generating effort; Family business catalysts, who are leading by supporting other family businesses on their journey; Social impact, to make a positive social impact through health and education, environmental sustainability and a fairer and comprehensive society; Awardment of generative heritage, for family businesses that have flourished for four or more generations; and warding life’s achievement, for individual contributions to advance family business, such as supporting the Center for Family Business. The nominations are now closed for the 2025 event and the winners are currently being elected.
In addition to the fame hall prices, the center plans to host many workshops in 2025 to help family businesses address the unique challenges of family and business mixing. Collaborations with universities in Vietnam and India are taking on the center’s activities and influence global, facilitating an exchange of international learning and perspective. And like so many centers and programs at Cal State Fullerton, the Family Business Center is enrolling titanium students in case study competitions. This April, the center will partner with the Women’s Leadership Center for an event that supports the enterprise and empowerment of women. On the side of the thought leadership, Kulraj Singh, an assistant professor of management, is launching a study to document the economic and social impacts of family businesses at Orange County.
The Center for Family Business exists in creative transformative environments, experiences and opportunities that help leaders flourish at all stages of the family business life cycle.
For more in the center or to be included as a business professional or CSUF business student, visit the Family Center website or read articles about family business. Sign up today to cheer on the region’s best family firms in the March 20 fame hall.