This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Ryan Saltzman, vice president of Banner Wholesale Grocers. It has been edited for length and clarity.
When I was a junior in college, I didn’t have a clear idea of what I wanted to do for a career. Then, my dad called.
I’d grow up watching my dad and grandfather work hard at Banner Wholesale Groceries, the company that my great-grandfather founded. That day on the phone, my dad explained that he had recently bought out my cousins’ share of the business. Banner was doing well, but not phenomenal, and my dad wanted me to help grow the company.
Saying yes wasn’t the easiest decision. All of my friends were getting fun, creative jobs or working in downtown high rises. Our business was based in a warehouse in an industrial part of Chicago. And yet, my dad had asked for my help. I couldn’t say no.
The first few years had a steep learning curve
The first few years were definitely difficult. Coming to work and having your dad be your boss has a different dynamic than reporting to someone you’re not related to. With my dad, work always comes first when we’re at Banner.
None of my three siblings works for the business, but they’re still involved. Some of them have worked here in the past, before amicably moving on to something else. They attend all the company and community events we host, because the business is important to our whole family.
I took time to really understand all facets of the business
When I started working here, I wanted to gain the respect of the employees, even coming in as the young son of the owner. I did that by working in every part of the business from the ground up. We’ve had tremendous employee loyalty, so I wanted to show them I understood their jobs.
I knew I couldn’t just come and take over. I had to put in the work to really understand the business at a deeper level.
As a company owner, there was pressure to be the face of the business. I had to be mindful of keeping work at work, and my life outside the company, outside. I wanted to be a leader of employee teams, but I wasn’t very familiar with employees. Striking that balance was sometimes tough.
I’ve been intentional about building a life outside work
In part because of that, I made sure to do things that I enjoy outside the business. I didn’t want work to become my whole identity, so I made sure to play basketball and travel.
That helped bring balance to my relationship with my dad, too. We both love the Chicago Bulls, and he’s a season ticket holder. When we go to a Bulls game, we don’t talk about work — we just enjoy basketball and each other’s company.
If you let work become your life, you’ll drive yourself crazy. I’ve been intentional about making sure that my sense of self and my relationships with family aren’t all centered on the business.
I appreciate the impact the business has had over 100 years
My dad has been working at Banner for 57 years. When I joined the company 14 years ago, it was hard to imagine spending that much time in one job. Now, I can’t see myself doing anything else.
I’m always focused on the bigger picture: how important the business is to my family and to our 110 employees. Working here has made me appreciate my family and what the company has given us. The business not only keeps us connected, but it helps provide for my parents, siblings, and — hopefully, one day — my kids.
This is our 100th year in business. I love thinking about the impact the business has had over that time: on my family, our employees, and our customers. I’ve built relationships with customers who have been buying from Banner for decades. That makes coming into the warehouse on a cold Chicago morning a lot easier.
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