Legacy Built on Values: A Round-Up of Iconic Family-Owned Brands
Family-owned businesses have a special kind of staying power. They often combine generations of tradition with innovation, fostering deep relationships with their customers and communities. These businesses stand the test of time, building legacies that are passed down through families while continuing to thrive in an ever-changing market. Here’s a look at some family-owned brands that have made a significant impact across various industries.
Mars, Inc.
Mars, Inc., founded by Frank C. Mars in 1911, remains a cornerstone in the food industry, best known for its beloved candy brands such as M&M’s, Snickers, and Twix. While Mars has expanded into pet care and other food products, its core values of quality, innovation, and responsibility have kept it family-run for over a century. The Mars family continues to drive the business forward with a global outlook and strong ethical principles, ensuring that their products bring joy to millions worldwide.
SC Johnson
Founded in 1886, SC Johnson is a fifth-generation family-owned company that produces household products like Windex, Pledge, and Glade. What sets SC Johnson apart is its steadfast commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility. Over the years, they’ve built a reputation for innovation and environmental stewardship while staying true to their mission of delivering top-tier products that make lives easier. The family’s dedication to doing what’s right for people and the planet has cemented their place as a leader in the consumer goods industry.
IKEA
IKEA, founded by Ingvar Kamprad in 1943, has become synonymous with affordable, flat-pack furniture. The company still maintains the strong values that Kamprad instilled, focusing on sustainability, innovation, and making design accessible to all. IKEA’s worldwide success is rooted in family-driven principles that emphasize simplicity, quality, and a customer-first approach.
Estee Lauder Companies
Estée Lauder Companies, founded by Estée and Joseph Lauder in 1946, remains a family-run business with multiple generations involved in its leadership. Estée Lauder built her cosmetics empire by focusing on luxury, quality, and personal service—values that continue to drive the company’s global success. The brand’s legacy is reflected in its timeless beauty products and its constant push for innovation, ensuring its place as a leader in the beauty industry.
Vladimir Jones: A Legacy of Innovation in Advertising
Like the brands mentioned here, Vladimir Jones was built on a foundation of family values and forward-thinking creativity. Founded in 1970 as PRACO by Jim and Nechie Hall, it began as a small but ambitious public relations and advertising company in Colorado Springs. Meredith Vaughan, their daughter, was quite literally raised at PRACO, from having a playpen in the office as a baby to working as a receptionist at age 13.
In 2008, Meredith took on the mantle of leadership and helped rebrand the agency as Vladimir Jones, marking a new chapter in its 38-year legacy. This rebranding was more than just a name change—it signaled the agency’s evolution into a creative powerhouse, guided by the vision of “An agency of exciting minds.” Today, Vladimir Jones remains a women-owned and women-led company, with Meredith as CEO and Debbie Frickey as President.
Vladimir Jones, like the other family-owned businesses highlighted here, knows that legacy is not just about history—it’s about cultivating relationships, adapting to change, and continuing to push boundaries in creative industries. Rooted in its strong values, the agency is proud of the lasting impact it has on clients, and it continues to innovate in the dynamic world of advertising.
