Son learns insurance business at an early age

Not every family finds working together to be a treat, but father and son Bobby and John Weeks enjoy interfacing on a daily basis at Weeks Hunter Insurance, which specializes in property and casualty policies.

Bobby Weeks, 62, said he purchased the business from his father-in-law, Robert L. Hunter, in 1976. Hunter started the company in 1963. Weeks' son, John, 37, joined him in the business after graduating from Hardin-Simmons University at the age of 23.

Of course, John grew up hanging around the office and hearing talk about the business at the dinner table, but Bobby said his son didn't show an interest until after college graduation.

Bobby said he did not pressure John to take up insurance as a profession, but he's glad he did.

"It's great," Bobby said. "It's worked out real well."

He said the upside is having the family together every day and keeping up with what's going on with the grandkids. If a child is sick, there may be more understanding with a family-run business than in other situations.

But there is also a downside. Bobby said there are absolutely no vacations that can be taken together, and if there is a family emergency or a death, then the company has to close down.

"But you do what you gotta do," Bobby said.

John said he has no regrets about his decision to join the family business.

"It's great," John said. "There have been no problems really as you might think there would be."

John has three young daughters, but said he will not pressure them to join the business when they are old enough.

"I wouldn't push them into it," John said. "I've seen too many folks try to push their child into a family-owned business and it usually doesn't work."

To make a family-owned business work, Bobby said, "You've got to have the right attitude -- a little give and take."