How to Be the Boss When Working With Family Working with family can be a very rewarding experience -- or it can be an absolute nightmare. If you find yourself in the position of employing family members when running your own small business, it's important to know how to effectively manage your loved ones and strike the perfect balance between attachment and professionalism. Know the challenges from the start It's critical that you enter a family business with your eyes wide open. Knowing there will be unique challenges right from the start will prepare you to handle them in a delicate yet realistic manner. Sit down with family members before beginning work together and have an open discussion about what you foresee to be possible problems that may arise. Allow everyone involved to be part of the brainstorming session and be sure to keep the mood light yet professional. As manager, you must establish the fact that you are the boss while at work and that everyone is going to have to give you all due respect. Remember, this is essentially your first business meeting and it will set the tone for those to come. Create a specific plan for the workplace Success does not happen by accident, it is planned for ahead of time. It is crucial for your business for all of your employees to understand this. Creating a business plan specific to you and your family will optimize your efforts toward success. Consider establishing rules and boundaries