Father has a small business (4-5 employees). He’s retiring, so I’m going to lead it. It’s a trading business that I’ve never worked for and have yet to understand. I’ve had a career in tech so far and that’s all I’ve ever known.
Want to do a good job and reaching out here to get advice. Also looking to understand how I can win over existing employees. They are undoubtedly disappointed the manager’s son is taking over a business that they 've worked in for >10 years without promotion.
Have you considered selling the business? Unless you belive you can grow it significantly, your future income might be better off you stay in technology.
Or have you considered the possibility of promoting one of the employees to be the general manager that could report to you?