Doing business with dad

Business: Lighting services

After years of owning and running an event production company, Rich Perry wanted an opportunity to go into business with his two sons. "I thought I could find a franchise where all three of us could work together," Rich said.

So he and his sons, Todd and Jeff, decided to purchase an Outdoor Lighting Perspectives location in Phoenix and they opened their doors in April.

"We all at some point thought we would work together," Jeff said. "When this opportunity came along we embraced it."

Since opening, Rich admits that there have been some struggles, "but it's exciting," he said. "We're gaining every week."

The threesome says they have struck a division of labor that suits their individual skills. While Rich oversees the business operations, Jeff is the sales person and his brother Todd works behind the scenes.

"Todd is the more meticulous, detail-oriented person and Jeff is the opposite," Rich said. "I think it works out great," he added.

"Even before we had this business we would talk just about every day, now with the business we talk even more, but (our relationship) hasn't changed very much," Rich said.