Successful Generations

PLEASE NOTE: there is adult language in this episode. It's only 1-2 words, but if you are listening with little kids, you may want to use headphones.  Mitchell Kaneff is the 3rd generation Chairman and CEO of his family’s company, Arkay Packaging. If you’ve ever purchased lipstick, moisturizer, or fragrance in a box, the packaging was likely created by Arkay. They’ve been in business for more than 96 years. Today, they send high-end packaging all over the world from their three locations on the east coast. Mitchell assumed leadership of Arkay in 1996 when he was 30 years old. He gained notoriety 14 years later following the release of his book, Taking Over: Insider Tips from a Third Generation CEO. The book shares his personal story, including a letter he wrote to his father asking him leave the business, along with stories from other families who struggled through leadership transitions. The media headline at the time was Why I Fired My Father From the Family Business. In this episode, Mitchell and I talk