
Unwrapping the magic of family businesses
Our MD Liz, and her daughter Leila, Business & Account Manager at Liz Lean PR, host our own podcast, ‘It Runs In The Family’.
Featuring a different family business in each episode, we explore the history and share the learnings from our guest’s experiences over the years. From breweries to garden centres, drink brands to crematoriums, family organisations come in all shapes and sizes and this podcast reveals the stories and lessons from within them.
We discover where human relationship migrates into business; the ups, downs, twists, turns and landmark moments that seal the fate of these fascinating organisations. We discuss how they’ve developed through the generations and the unique advantages they’ve had over their competitors. You’ll get to hear some brilliant life stories too; some to make you laugh and others that’ll warm your heart.
While LLPR has managed numerous corporate client accounts for many years, we also attract a number of family owned and operated businesses, due to our values-led approach. In early 2020, before the pandemic hit, we hosted a lunch event for our family business clients to meet. The discussion around challenges, learnings, plans, thoughts and stories proved valuable and we were pleased to be able to provide clients with an opportunity to hear from likeminded people.
Our ambition is that our new podcast will be a place where listeners can learn from family businesses, either as a family organisation themselves or as individuals interested in this unique way of operating.
As we begin our own journey into the delicate world of the family business, we’ve loved hearing the stories of those who have been there and done it and we hope you’ll enjoy listening these as much as we have.
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Be our guest
If you work in or run a family business and would like to record your family’s story, please get in touch. We’d be delighted to discuss welcoming you as a guest.


Hello! We’re Liz & Leila Willingham and welcome to “It Runs In The Family”. We’re the mother and daughter duo working within the public relations and communications agency, Liz Lean PR. Running a business is hard – really hard. Every business has its challenges and it’s own ups and downs – but in a family business, this is often exaggerated by the willingness to speak your mind. But it also has some huge advantages that the corporate cultures just can’t compete with. In this podcast, featuring a different family business guest in each episode, we’re going to be digging into the stories, values and traditions of other family and multi-generational businesses. We’ll explore their history, learnings and how they’ve developed through the generations and the unique advantages they’ve had over their competitors. We discover where human relationship migrates into business; the ups, downs, twists, turns and landmark moments that seal the fate of these fascinating organisations. You’ll get to hear some brilliant life stories too; some to make you laugh and others that’ll warm your heart. Many of our clients are family businesses who we’ve worked very closely with over a number of years – we’ve heard brilliant stories that reveal true values and fun operating as a family business. We want you to feel inspired by stories of others, find their honesty relatable and reach out to us with your own experiences. If you have any questions for future guests, have a story of your own or have any feedback please do feel free to get in touch on our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itrunsinthefamilypodcast/
Harking from Lake Como, the Bianchi family behind Arighi Bianchi began their journey way back in 1854. Carrying that heritage forward, this 5th generation business is headed up by a thriving family with strong bonds all round.
Managing Director Sarah, Director Nick and Head of Comms Lucy, all share tales of a business proud of their legacy. The luxury home furniture & decor brand continues to excel on firm foundations, and we hear how those foundations of trust with customers, togetherness in tough times & encouragement without pressure were built.
This episode covers:
- The extraordinary story behind Arighi Bianchi’s 168 year legacy
- Sarah taking the reins as Managing Director during the pandemic
- The pride in their legacy and inherent trust between them and customers
- How each family member found their own natural route into the business
Links and references at: https://lizleanpr.co.uk/podcast-runs-in-the-family/

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