How can two sisters with different career paths create a successful luxury fashion brand while maintaining strong family bonds? In a revealing episode of Table Talk with ABFI, Justine and Kendall Barber share how they transformed a custom footwear idea into Poppy Barley, a thriving, sustainable fashion enterprise. Their journey offers valuable insights for business families navigating entrepreneurship, sibling partnerships, and work-life balance.
From Vacation to Company Visioning: The Birth of a Family Enterprise
The Barber sisters' path to entrepreneurship wasn't planned. "I always thought I wanted to save the world," Justine reflects, while Kendall had always dreamed of being an entrepreneur. Their different perspectives would eventually create the perfect blend of purpose and business acumen.
A pivotal moment came during Justine's trip to Bali, where a custom boot experience sparked an idea. Her subsequent email to Kendall wasn't just a business proposition – it was the beginning of a transformative family journey.
Building a Foundation of Complementary Leadership
The sisters' success stems from their ability to leverage their differences:
"We divided the company very early on," Kendall explains. "We really wanted there to be clear decision making with one person." Today, Justine leads product operations and retail, while Kendall manages e-commerce, marketing, brand, and customer experience.
Their approach to leadership transitions demonstrates remarkable maturity: "We have deep trust for each other," Kendall notes. "We really value each other's skill sets." This trust allows them to regularly reassess and adjust their roles based on the business's changing needs.
Navigating Family Dynamics in Business
The sisters' experience reveals key insights for family business success:
"Work doesn't work unless life's working," Kendall emphasizes. This philosophy shapes not only their relationship but also their company culture, extending flexibility to employees managing family responsibilities.
The sisters acknowledge a unique challenge of family business: "Being in a family business is both less lonely and more lonely," Kendall reflects. They recommend engaging coaches and joining peer groups to navigate complex family dynamics.
Learning from Childhood Lessons
The Barbers' business approach was shaped by their upbringing:
Family budget meetings and early exposure to financial decision-making helped develop their business acumen. "The amount of flip-charting we did as a family was not normal," Kendall laughs, recalling childhood family discussions.
Frequent moves taught them to navigate new situations together – a skill that proved invaluable in entrepreneurship.
The sisters maintain a pragmatic approach to their company's future:
Practical Insights for Business Families
For families considering business partnerships, the Barbers offer valuable advice:
Moving Forward
The Poppy Barley story demonstrates that family business success isn't just about profit – it's about building something meaningful while preserving family bonds. As Kendall notes, "I ultimately cared way more about Justine as a person than I do about the business." This foundation of family-first values, combined with clear business strategies, creates a platform for sustainable growth and positive impact.
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Connect with the Alberta Business Family Institute for more insights into family business dynamics and sibling partnerships. Our community brings together business families, advisors, and researchers to share experiences and best practices.
