For the past three years, Bob Brody, a 74-year-old public relations consultant, has embarked on a professional partnership with his daughter Caroline Chirichella, navigating the challenges and rewards of working together across generations. Brody, a baby boomer with 35 years of experience in PR, joined his millennial daughter’s growing public relations business on a part-time, advisory basis after her shift from careers in opera and culinary arts into the communications field.
The father-daughter duo operates from separate homes less than half a mile apart but often conduct their business discussions remotely via email, Facebook Messenger, and Zoom—methods preferred by Caroline, who balances work with motherhood to two young children. Despite the physical proximity, the pair rarely meet face to face for professional matters, highlighting a generational difference in communication styles. Brody advocates for more structured, in-person meetings with set agendas to establish priorities and maintain rhythm in their partnership. Caroline, however, favors a more flexible approach, reflecting a millennial inclination for less formalized work arrangements.
Their distinct working styles also require adjustments. Brody describes himself as deliberate, analytical, and methodical, while Caroline trusts her instincts and makes swift decisions. This dynamic has occasionally led to tension, such as when a client ceased working with them following email exchanges about service concerns. Brody believes a direct conversation might have clarified misunderstandings, while Caroline attributes the client’s departure to shifting expectations on the client’s part.
The two have established operating principles to support their collaboration. Brody is generous with praise but candid in offering critiques, and he encourages Caroline to challenge his viewpoints freely. He acknowledges the need to allow her independence rather than prescribing how tasks should be done, adapting from his previous mentoring experience in global PR agencies to the more personal setting of working alongside his daughter.
Though Brody contributes roughly 20% of the labor—providing strategic guidance, participating in brainstorming sessions, and assisting with client outreach—the relationship extends beyond business. Both say the experience has deepened their familial bond, fostering mutual respect, trust, and a greater appreciation for each other’s strengths and perspectives. For Brody, the partnership offers a unique opportunity to continue mentoring, while Caroline gains from his expertise and support in growing her enterprise.
The collaboration highlights the complexities inherent in family-run ventures—balancing professional roles with personal histories—while illustrating how generational differences in communication, decision-making, and work style can be managed to mutual benefit.