Starting a business is a daunting endeavor, especially when you have a growing family to consider. For Brian and Mary Jo Sullivan, the decision to launch their engineering firm was not just about professional aspirations; it was also about the welfare of their three small children. With financial stability at stake, they faced the challenges of entrepreneurship head-on, driven by a combination of faith, pragmatism, and family support.

Security Blanket

“When we made the decision to start the business, I was trepidatious because we had three small kids at home; however, Mary Jo was much more pragmatic. She said, “Now is the time. If we don’t go on vacation and if we have to eat rice and beans every day, the kids won’t know. If we have to pause the kids’ college funds, we’ll have the time to catch up.” That was the final discussion. From there on, it wasn’t if we would start the business; it was how quickly could we start.

I recognize that when we had a small, growing family and decided to leave a relatively secure job and take the risk, or perceived risk, of starting our engineering firm, we did so with the security blanket of knowing that our parents would have done anything for us. That meant letting us move back into their house if we needed to. I can assure you that fear crossed my mind many times in the early years of the business. We recognize that many people don’t have that luxury, and we were very blessed to have that.

Knowing what the absolute worst-case scenario would be if the business had failed was really critical for us when we decided to make the leap. And then even more critical, one year later, when the business was still struggling to get on its feet.

When I first told my parents I was leaving my relatively stable job to take the leap as an entrepreneur for our family, I remember the look of excitement, as well as the look of concern on their faces. Rightfully, as parents, they were worried for their son, daughter-in-law, and their grandchildren. After all, they had chosen to take relatively secure jobs for the stability of their family, which was likely impacted by the difficult job opportunities in their home country of Ireland at the time they left.”

Brian and Mary Jo’s story is a testament to the courage it takes to pursue your dreams, even in the face of uncertainty. With the support of their family and a clear understanding of their worst-case scenario, they were able to take that crucial leap into entrepreneurship. 

Their journey reminds us that while the road may be rocky, the rewards of following your passion can be immeasurable.

If you’re interested in more insights and stories about balancing faith, family, and business, order “Entrepreneurial Trinity“.