How These Entrepreneurs Run Their Businesses -- While Watching Their Kids Full-Time This is how the newest crop of entrepreneurs balances full-time parenting with running a business.
By Kate Rockwood •
This story appears in the October 2016 issue of Entrepreneur. Subscribe »
Griffin "Griff" Kubik is holding a dog leash, his 3-year-old fingers wrapped around the vinyl cord as a terrier sniffs the grass near his feet. It might not look like it to passersby in the park, but the duo are on the clock: They're on a photo shoot, the dog is about to be in Chicago Parent magazine, and Griff is playing unofficial dog wrangler. Nearby, Griff's parents are setting up the next shot.
Related: How I Manage 5 Kids and a Growing Business
"Hold tight to the leash, Griff," calls his mother. He's used to taking instruction. His parents are cofounders of TK Photography, which, with more than 1,200 sessions a year, is one of Chicago's biggest family photography companies. Dad (Thomas) is the principal photographer; Mom (Tiana) is the management whiz. They have a team of three other photographers, as well as cullers, editors and admin support. And through it all, Griff has been a constant presence: The business is one endless Take Your Kid to Work Day. "We're not taking Griff along because we can't find a babysitter," Thomas says after the shoot. "We want him involved, and being entrepreneurs means we have the flexibility to spend that time together."
