Son Asks If He’s Wrong For Leaving Home After His Dad Gave Business To His Brother
In a family business, succession decisions can stir up deep-seated emotions and conflicts. When a long-standing member of the company is unexpectedly passed over for leadership in favor of a newcomer, feelings of betrayal and injustice can emerge. This story explores the challenges of navigating family loyalty, professional ambition, and personal pride in the face of difficult decisions and the pursuit of new opportunities.
When their father decided to step down from the family business due to health issues, he handed control over to the older brother, who had only recently joined the company. This decision left the younger brother, who had dedicated twelve years of his life to building the business, feeling betrayed and sidelined. Faced with a demotion and a significant pay cut, he chose to strike out on his own.
Continue scrolling down to delve into the full story.
Source: Reddit
Image Credits: Anıl Karakaya (Not the actual photo)
1. OP is wondering if he is wrong to leave after his dad decided to give the family business to his older brother.
2. OP began working for his dad as a plumber at 15 and earned qualifications in plumbing and gas, while the older brother went to university and worked as an accountant in the city.
3. For the past two years, OP has been running the business, expanding it to a fleet of 50 vans, each with a qualified and a trainee plumber.
4. Last month, their dad announced he was stepping down from the business due to health reasons. He decided to give the business to the older brother, asking OP to step down from his CEO role.
5. Being upset, OP spoke to their dad, he explained that the older brother deserved the role for all he has done, mentioning his university education and the fact that he has a family, while OP does not.
6. OP told his dad that if this was how he felt, he would leave and start his own business, cutting off contact with the family.
7. OP expressed gratitude for the kind words and support of other Redditors as he was going through a rough patch in life.
8. OP now plans to contact the large clients he has worked with over the past six years, aiming to take over postponed projects that could bring in significant money.
9. OP clarified that he is not starting a business to undermine his brother, despite his frustrations. Having spent nearly 13 years building the family business, he doesn’t want to ruin it.
10. OP plans to talk to his father, unsure if he will get a proper answer from him.
11. OP believes his family has found his post, and indeed they did.
12. This morning, when OP arrived at his parents’ house, the atmosphere there was tense and silent.
13. OP saw his dad cry for the first time during their conversation. His dad explained that he felt he owed it to his older brother for not being as present during their upbringing.
14. OP struggled to accept his father’s reasoning. Expressing his hurt, OP told his father how painful it was to be sidelined after dedicating half his life to the business.
15. After reading everything, OP’s dad realized he should have split the business between them, acknowledging that both were needed for its progress.
16. OP attempted to make it work for three weeks, but his brother wouldn’t listen and doubted his expertise, insisting he knew how to run the business. Frustrated, OP left.
17. OP had several successful Zoom calls with clients, who will be sending signed proposal letters for upcoming work. Three of his former colleagues have left the business, informed his dad of their reasons, and will be joining OP voluntarily.
18. Hearing former colleagues support meant a lot to OP. With the three vans and tools he’s accumulated over the years, OP feels ready to start a new business.
19. OP received a call from his father inviting him to dinner, and although he was unsure, he felt it was a positive step. Upon arriving, the atmosphere was tense and finally his father requested OP to start with them from Monday.
20. OP was shocked by his father’s request and firmly told them he would not return, having already started his own company.
21. OP questioned his father about the mixed signals—apologizing in the morning but expecting him to return—while his father couldn’t even meet his gaze.
22. OP’s new business is thriving with plenty of incoming work and good profits, and he plans to expand at the end of the year, which makes him very happy.
23. OP and his fiancé are very happy planning for their wedding and OP is grateful to her for her unwavering support through everything.
24. OP’s father and brother still refuse to communicate and have stated they won’t attend the wedding, despite not being invited.
25. Other family members have now apologized to OP and want to make amends for past issues. He and his fiancé are set to marry in November.
Now that you have read the story, it’s time for you to see what Redditors had to say about this. Read till the end to see what are other people’s opinions on this.
26. Like others, the Redditor doesn’t understand the motive behind the decision.
27. OP’s father isn’t doing anything for him…if he doesn’t reach out soon to fix this, OP should focus on his new business and don’t look back.
28. I’m truly sorry you’re going through this. Wishing you great success with your new business!
29. Before starting your own business, double-check your current employment contract to ensure there’s no non-compete clause that could cause issues.
30. OP dedicated years to the business…..even a 50/50 split would be insulting, given his hard work.
Ultimately, the journey of striking out independently proved to be a transformative experience. OP not only established a thriving new business but also discovered a renewed sense of purpose and self-worth. Despite the lingering pain of familial betrayal, the support of close friends and a loving partner provided the strength needed to move forward. In the end, the story underscores the importance of resilience, the pursuit of one’s own path, and the potential for growth and success even in the face of deep personal challenges. Do share your thoughts on the story in the comments section below.
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