GREENFIELD — The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce breakfast Friday morning meant business — specifically, family business.

The breakfast at Terrazza Ristorante featured a panel of five Franklin County family business owners who detailed what it means to be a family business today, while also encouraging guests to keep their money flowing locally.

“The formula for family business is a blend of loyalty, love and an impressive lack of work-life balance,” said Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jessye Deane. “Our family businesses do not just sell goods and services; they support the strength of our economy with each transaction.”

Panelists included Kostanski Funeral Home Funeral Director Britney Gioules, Townline Ice Cream owner Kayla Snow, Baker Financial Group owner Jeffrey Baker, Ciesluk’s Market owner Nikki Ciesluk and Incandescent Brewing co-owner Nate Perry.

Gioules, the third-generation owner of the funeral home that was started 73 years ago by her grandparents, said there is always a need for the service that Kostanski Funeral Home has provided for generations. She said her family members have all worked at the funeral home’s locations on Federal Street in Greenfield and at 1 Kostanski Square in Turners Falls.

Still, Gioules noted there’s challenges to being a family-owned funeral home in a world where funeral homes are largely commercial. With that being the case, she said she takes pride in the ability to keep services personalized to every family who comes through their doors.

“We still strive to perfect that for each family who walks through our doors, and we strive to treat every family as if they were our own,” she said. “All in all, the best part about my job is being able to serve the community in the same way my grandparents have.”

A plan for the future of each family business was an important goal for the panelists, with Baker explaining that he’s owned the financial advising business since 2008, and his daughter was going to take over before pursuing nursing instead. Less than 10 years ago, his nephew, Bradley Baker, joined him as vice president.

“He joined our company and there was my succession plan,” Baker said. “Every family business needs that.”

With these panelists looking to lead their family businesses into the future, the panelists stressed that the effort to buy local is key.

Ciesluk, who opened her business in 2018, said the need for spending locally was highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic when many family businesses closed. She said the opportunity to use the Franklin County Gift Card that the Chamber of Commerce offers has been important to keeping money local.

“We want everybody to buy Franklin County Gift Cards, especially businesses,” Ciesluk said. “Pass them on to your employees, pass them on to customers, give them to friends and family, so that they spend those dollars back here in Franklin County.”

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.