Forward Janesville - TheReport - Fourth Quarter 2023

employees to hundreds of employees. “We don’t have a typical member,” Herwig said. “The common denominator is that they are family-owned and have at least two family members involved in the business either through ownership and or in operations. And this is not just for the families but their leaders.” JPCullen is another member of the Family Business Center. George Cullen, Co-President and fifth generation (G5), knows that surrounding yourself with the right people internally is key. “When I look back at previous generations including my grandfather JP and my dad, Mark, and David and Richard, I think we are most grateful for the leaders and employees of the company who were and are the bedrock of Cullen,” George Cullen said.“Dick Schumacher and Herman Gaulke were side by side with my grandfather. And the next generation had the same bench depth with leaders like Ron Becher, Steve Wisnefsky, Jim Schumacher, Larry Rocole and Dan Swanson. Our current generation is fortunate to have the same level of leadership with our executive team, many of whom have spent their entire career at Cullen.” The three brothers from G4, Mark, Dave & Richard, were credited for looking outside the company to help JP Cullen get better. Active involvement in state and national trade associations led to the ability to benchmark and learn from others. The owners gained advice and expertise in strategic planning and succession planning. For George and his fellow G5 owners, they took on the task of researching and then implementing their first formal outside Advisory Board. One year into its establishment, Cullen conveys his appreciation for an outside advisor who helped the owners look at the decisions making processes for owners, management, and advisors as they crafted the board. Now through quarterly meetings with the Advisory Board, Cullen says the owners have gained different perspectives to help drive success. Zig Ziglar once said, “You don't build a business, you build people, then people build the business.” For family-owned businesses, finding those people to help you along your journey is key. They may even be in your own backyard. L to R: Dan Cullen, Jeannie Cullen Schultz, Richard Cullen, Mark Cullen, David Cullen, Laura Cullen Huibregtse, George Cullen, and Sean Cullen Building Your Network of Resources Forward Janesville’s role and power is to help people not only convene but converge with a shared goal. Many times, we hear from some of our members that they wish their client had found them sooner. We are here to help you navigate and find great resources. As you read, family-owned businesses relied on company values, hard work, customer and employee centric practices, and commitment to quality, but they also pushed themselves to learn from others and to think differently. Below is a high-level overview of local business resources. Forward Janesville members also include business coaches, great local banks, law firms, accountants, and more. Remember, if you don’t know where to start, Forward Janesville will help you navigate finding the right resource. But whatever you do, don’t go it alone. Experience the power of community. Local Organizations • Blackhawk Technical College • Gener8tor • Janesville Library – Business Services • Janesville Innovation Center • Rock County Historical Society • Rock County Jumpstart • SCORE • School District of Janesville - Global Business Academy • Small Business Development Center • UW-Whitewater www.forwardjanesville.com | 13