The the Star-Bulletin's continuing series
profiling Hawaii's families.
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One family business As conventional wisdom would have it, working together with family is usually a recipe for disaster. But for one local family, the experience has led to better relationships.
that found a balance
For the Edwards, working together
taught them about each otherBy Lyn Danninger
ldanninger@starbulletin.comSystemcenter, founded 26 years ago by Bill and Joyce Edwards, now employs 12 people and specializes in high-density storage systems and cabinets, filing systems and supplies.
Whether it's installing new systems or adapting old filing and storage systems, the Kalihi Kai company's customers include hospitals, doctors' offices, accounting and law firms, banks, museums, libraries and schools.
After they were recently named Small Business Hawaii's Small Business Persons of the Year, Bill and Joyce Edwards were quick to credit their three children, Stephan, Sandra and Bryan.
"They have a new vision," said Bill. "We had a certain perception of how the company would grow but they introduced new avenues."
Small Business Hawaii President Sen. Sam Slom describes the couple as "epitomizing all that is good with small business in Hawaii."
"Despite problems and challenges they've been able to re-invent themselves, still volunteering and providing leadership in the community," he said.
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Slom said he is impressed that the couple's three children have chosen to work with their parents."They also stand out because they have managed to integrate their children into the business. Most kids who see their parents in business don't want anything to do with it," he said. "They see all the additional costs and stress so that really says something about them."
That's not to say all the new ideas put forward by their children have been instantly embraced by Bill and Joyce.
"Sometimes it's been a little frightening," concedes Bill.
But overall, the proud parents say they wouldn't have it any other way.
That all three children are unafraid to speak up on different issues and field ideas is a big part of the company's successful evolution, they said.
Both say when they started the business, they had in mind a company that their children would join them in one day.
"It's a mother's dream to see her kids every day," said Joyce.
But for some parents it can be hard to recognize children -- even if they are all grown up -- as independent adults.
The Edwards say, if anything, the work experience has allowed them to develop a greater appreciation for their children's talents.
"We know they have the expertise," Bill said." When they start to get awards on their own it's a pretty good indication."
The Edwards children are equally as enthusiastic of the family business experience.
But they say that their father made it clear early on that work and family are not the same thing.
"My dad made it clear that at work it's different. We have to support our family plus the people who work for us," said Stephan, the Edwards' youngest son and now president of the company.
"It's also taught them to work as a team," Bill said.
Stephan, described by his brother Bryan as "the talker," was the first to gravitate towards the family business at age 18.
"He's the one with lots of ideas and energy," said Bryan.
Bryan, now operations manager, oversees all the installations. He's described by Stephan as "Mr. Niele."
"He watches everything and catches things. He's meticulous," said Stephan of his brother.
Bryan started out about eight years ago at first helping Stephan part time in the warehouse in the evenings.
But before long he found himself with a full-time job.
"We got busy and I stayed," he said.
It was the same for Sandra, at first helping Stephan in the office when she had free time. Before long, she too found it turned into a full-time job as a sales consultant.
Sandra, who was already out of the house when her brothers were growing up, said one of the best things about working together is that it has allowed her to get to know her brothers better than she otherwise would.
"I was long gone when Bryan was 8 and Stephan was 5 so it was like getting to know my brothers all over again," she said.
"Every now and again I want to grab them and say 'This is so cool!'" she said.
All three describe the experience of working together in positive terms, even if there is a lot of good natured teasing back and forth between them.
"I guess it's really a deep level of trust," Sandra said.
