My friend, and competitor, John Lagae (@greenchemind) published this picture of his son reading in the back of his car.
Do you want your children to follow you in the #chemical business?
It’s a great photo, and raises the question…
Do you want your children following you in the chemical business?
I’d love to have my children in the business (only if they are the ones that initiate the interest), but I’d like to hear from others. How about those who have 2nd generation involved, or are the 2nd generation? Pls discuss.
Tony Ridnell 
Brain washing started early for John……
I am following my fathers lead in my career path in the chemical industry. My experience started in junior high mowing the lawn at the offices of the company where my dad has worked for over 35 years now. During the summers in high school and college, I bagged soda ash, and after college got into more broad operations. This experience had all been with the same company that my father had worked. Now I am working in marketing for one of my fathers major competitors. Which has its ups and downs. I like the competition that exists between my dad and myself. However, there are some disadvantages in that when I would like advice or direction on specific projects, I cannot go to him because of the possibility of jeopardizing the opportunity for my employer. I am happy in my career path, and I can’t wait for my dad to retire, so I can go to him for direction without concern of exposing my employer to unnecessary risk.
Kyle, what a great post. Thanks for taking the time. Well, Thanksgiving Dinner’s must be interesting in your home! Without knowing any of the intricate details, I think this is an opportunity wasted for your father to assume a tremendous mentoring and leadership role for you. The business and the industry is so large that short of him providing you competitive information from his company (highly unethical and even illegal) I hardly think any guidance he could give you would harm his company. Best wishes!
I love this picture