Interview with Mitzi Perdue

Mitzi Perdue understands the world of family enterprise on two levels. First, as the daughter of Ernest Henderson, co-founder of the Sheraton Hotel chain, and second, from her 17 year marriage to the late chicken icon, Frank Perdue.

As the only daughter of Ernest Henderson, Mitzi was never considered for a role in Sheraton Hotels. Nor did she consider one for herself. As she puts it, “My father was born in 1897, and I think the idea of having a daughter work in the business simply never occurred to him. For that matter, it didn’t occur to me. I don’t think it ever occurred to him to even encourage me to be a businesswoman.”

Nonetheless, Mitzi, herself, became an entrepreneur, clearly inspired by her father’s abundant business theories – his belief in persistence, his generosity and his commitment to life-long learning. A copious student of agricultural economics, farming and land development, she used her knowledge to build her inheritance.

In her book, Tough Man, Tender Chicken, Mitzi switches gears from the parental influence of Ernest Henderson and describes some of the business and life lessons learned from her late husband, Frank Perdue. Although many of the observations may sound familiar to advisors to family companies, her commentary on family cohesion is an interesting twist on the “family retreat.” She and Frank were committed to a culture that kept the family together across time.

“In a geographically dispersed family, having the cousins spend time together and play together can mean building friendship and trust that only happens when they spend time together.” (Mitzi Perdue) In this setting, the family is able to keep future generations bonding together and preserve the values that made the enterprise possible in the first place.

Click here to read the full interview.

Copyright 2015 The Family Firm Institute, Inc.