A family-owned and operated business for more than 80 years, Ronnie Brooke and his cousin, Todd Goldman, keep the communication lines open and always find something to laugh about.
Ronnie Brooke
Southern Packing Corporation, Wholesale Meats
Jewish News: How do you collaborate professionally with your cousin?
Ronnie Brooke: We try to bounce daily activities, any issues and sales opportunities, off each other, on a daily basis.
JN: Do you find generational differences in the operation of Southern Packing? If so, what are they?
RB: I learned from the older generation, which included my grandfather, Isadore Brooke, my father, Benny Brooke and my uncles, Hyman and Leonard Brooke, along with my own learnings, over the last 35 years, as well as listen to the new ideas of my cousin Todd, to formulate the best ways to handle different situations.
In the old days everything was done with a handshake; it was more on a personal level. You could trust anyone to pay you when they could.
Nowadays, everything must be in writing. Guarantee forms must be signed. Competition is stiff, and the rules of the game have changed. You have to stay on top of your game; otherwise, you won’t succeed.
JN: What have you learned from each other?
RB: You have to communicate. Keeping things to yourself makes business more stressful. We both have our own ideas. You have to learn to merge them together. We always find something to laugh about.
JN: What advice would you give to other family members who work together?
RB: Well, it’s not an easy task these days. So many external factors in the world. We work with so many different personalities (referring to our employees). You must depend on each other and let cooler heads prevail. At the end of the day, you want to be able to have a nice conversation and still be able to get together for a family dinner.
In reflection, as I get older, it’s been a good experience. But as anyone knows, in a family business, it’s hard to shut it out completely. It’s what you do every day. It stays with you. I’ve worked hard, but I’ve been fortunate to work with a good family!
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Todd Goldman
Southern Packing Corporation, Wholesale Meats
Jewish News: How do you collaborate professionally with your cousin?
Todd Goldman: Our whole business is a collaboration. Whether it be the buying or selling of products, repairs or purchases of equipment, or most importantly, issues with employees, we discuss everything first. Most, if not all, decisions here are made jointly.
JN: Do you find generational differences in the operation of Southern Packing? If so, what are they?
TG: I am fourth generation here at Southern so, yes, there were huge generational differences when I first started. It was myself, Ronnie, my grandfather, Hyman, and two great uncles, Leonard and Benny. The largest difference was technology. We didn’t have computers when I came here, so getting used to doing things the “old school” way took some time. As the older generation retired, the differences dwindled, and I was able to make some changes.
JN: What have you learned from each other?
TG: I have been in the food business since I graduated college in the 90’s but never on the direct sales side. Basically, everything I know about meats has come from Ronnie. He was also instrumental in teaching me what to expect when dealing with employees or when working along with the rest of the family. Most of this business is learned by trial and error; however, Ronnie did help with suggesting which customers to call on at first and how to handle pricing with each type of customer.
JN: What advice would you give to other family members who work together?
TG: Leave work at work. Even though at family gatherings it always comes up and it’s hard not to talk business, everyone needs a break. Always keep lines of communication open.
JN: Additional comments?
TG: It was an honor when Ronnie came to me 20 years ago and asked me to come into the family business. I have friends who are in family owned or run businesses, but none that can say they are fourth generation.