Lessons From the Perdue and Sheraton Families on Getting Along

Mitzi Perdue is the widow of Frank Perdue and the daughter of Ernest Henderson Sr., a founder of the Sheraton Hotels empire. She also runs a consultancy devoted to family business success and is the author of  How to Make Your Family Business Last. Her experiences as part of two famous families have taught her that "a high-functioning family is an engine of happiness."

In this interview with familybusiness.org Editor Kimberly Eddleston, Perdue shares lessons that she learned from the Hendersons and the Perdues about getting along and keeping family businesses in the family. Some key takeaways: Argue as much as you want but only in private. Endow family vacations so that relatives can relax with one another. And (advice she received from her late husband) listen 90% of the time.