Episode 78: A Century of Style, A Heritage of Service - M. Dumas & Sons

Family Business Today

Our guest today is Gary Flynn, CEO and Co-Owner of M. Dumas and Sons, in Charleston, South Carolina.

Founded in 1917 by Mendel Dumas, M. Dumas & Sons has evolved into an iconic men’s specialty retailer in historic downtown Charleston, S.C. Initially known as a uniform shop for service jobs, M. Dumas & Sons evolved to become the sole provider of uniforms for naval officers stationed in Charleston. M. Dumas & Sons transitioned full-time into the men’s apparel arena in 1993.

In the fall of 2015, M. Dumas & Sons completed a $2 million renovation of its iconic store, and today, Charleston locals and tourists alike still consider M. Dumas & Sons a welcoming, historic King Street specialty retailer who is a permanent staple of the city’s landscape.

In this episode of Family Business Today, you will learn:

• How a 100+ year old family business adapts to change to make it the successful company it is today

• What a non-family leader should consider before joining a family business

• How core values help in making high-level decisions in their family business

• How conflict is handled when making business decisions

• The most important component of a successful multi-generational family business

• And more…

To learn more about M. Dumas & Sons, visit their website at www.mdumasandsons.com.

At the Tennessee Center for Family Business our passion is to help business owners create a positive environment in which their family THRIVES, their business performs and working together they create a lasting family legacy. To learn more about the Tennessee Center for Family Business visit www.tncfb.com.

If you are considering a transition in your family business contact us today for a FREE Transition Assessment (follow link) and receive a one-on-one review of your business transition preparedness with a family business consultant.

Until next time, There’s No Business Like a Family Business…. We Know!