The decision to sell the company was difficult for the
children. "They were shocked. They weren’t expecting it," Barbara admits. "I
think they just kind of thought they’d be here forever." Eventually, she says,
they accepted that it was the right thing to do. (The Briggs family refused to
reveal the sale terms and turned down requests for interviews with the sons, who
did not have any equity in the business when it was sold.)Barbara and Bob say the deal, closed in February, has served to
normalize family relations. "A family business is hard on a family." Barbara
says. "You’re not just a parent, you’re an employer to your child, and your
expectations of your child versus the expectations of another employee are
different; you treat them differently." They did not consider asking for a stake in the newly expanded
Black’s business, preferring to sell outright. "We were ready to just walk
away," Barbara adds. She stayed on for only three months to facilitate the
transition. Bob retired from day-to-day involvement quickly, she says with a
laugh, turning to golf and spending time with their youngest son’s child. Their oldest son continues to work in the business, while their
middle child left during the changeover. Barbara admits that remaining with the
transition team has been difficult. "It’s harder for me being in the midst of it
and seeing it change." Retirement will bring a mission trip to Cuba, more hours
with their family and relaxation at their home on the North Carolina coast. "We
wanted to do all those things we like to do while we’re still able to," Barbara
says. "It was an opportunity that came along and we took it. We had no
guarantees along the way. We’ve been blessed beyond any expectations that we
ever had." Lee Gimpel is a business and technology writer based in Richmond,
Va.
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