43 - Generations of Wisdom: Business Lessons from a Family in Packaging
Lessons in Resilience and Growth: Insights from Carolan Packaging
Family businesses shape much of the American economy, but few stories capture the grit, adaptability, and craft required to thrive across generations like that of Carolan Packaging. In this episode of Growing Up B2B Podcast, host Ed Delia sits down with Joe Carolan, Vice President of Sales at Carolan Packaging, to explore the company’s multi-generational journey, the challenges of contract manufacturing, and the leadership lessons that have kept the business resilient and forward-focused. This episode offers actionable insights for anyone navigating family business dynamics, scaling operations, or leading in the packaging industry.
Balancing Legacy, Leadership, and Modern Business
Carolan Packaging’s story begins in the late 1940s and reflects the dedication required to sustain a family business over decades. Joe Carolan shares how early experiences, from working on the production line to embracing leadership roles, shaped his understanding of accountability, work ethic, and the importance of honoring the family legacy. These lessons extend beyond the family walls, offering guidance for cultivating culture, employee engagement, and operational excellence.
Adapting to industry trends and customer needs has been another cornerstone of Carolan Packaging’s success. From taking on unique projects like Crayola water-based paints to navigating high-demand trends such as slime and glue, Joe emphasizes flexibility and strategic decision-making. He highlights how staying agile while specializing in contract packaging enables the company to remain competitive and profitable without losing focus on quality.
Leadership in a family business goes beyond process—it’s about service, humility, and resilience. Joe’s experiences as a volunteer firefighter informed his approach to teamwork, crisis management, and employee recognition. He also discusses modernizing operations, embracing technology, and preparing the next generation for leadership, all while maintaining strong family and business relationships. These insights are invaluable for family-owned companies or leaders in complex B2B operations.
About Joe Carolan
Joe Carolan is Vice President of Sales at Carolan Packaging, bringing decades of experience in sales, leadership, and family business management. His insights into operational agility, leadership development, and multi-generational business strategies provide a unique perspective for B2B professionals navigating growth and legacy challenges. Connect with Joe on LinkedIn.
About Carolan Packaging
Carolan Packaging is a family-owned contract packaging company specializing in small-batch and custom packaging solutions across a range of industries. With a focus on quality, flexibility, and client partnership, Carolan Packaging has successfully served multiple generations of customers while innovating to meet evolving market demands.
Links Mentioned in this Episode
Key Episode Highlights
Lessons from running a multi-generational family business and honoring legacy.
Building a culture of accountability, hard work, and humility in contract manufacturing.
Strategies for adapting to industry trends while maintaining profitability.
Leadership insights drawn from firefighting, crisis management, and team building.
Guidance for preparing the next generation for family business leadership roles.
Conclusion
This episode underscores that resilience, adaptability, and a strong leadership ethos are central to family business success. Joe Carolan’s journey illustrates how balancing legacy, operational excellence, and forward-thinking strategies can sustain a business across generations while preparing it for continued growth.
Ready to take your family business to the next level? Visit Delianet to learn more about how we can help.
Think you’d be a great fit for Growing Up B2B? Apply to be a guest and share your story with a business audience that values leadership, growth, and legacy. Apply here: Podcast Guest Application.
