Chicago Family Business Council: What year was your company founded?
Bryan Doherty: Erin Rope was founded in 1998

CFBC: Tell us a little bit of the history behind the company?
BD: Erin Rope was founded by my father James Doherty (also a CFBC member) in 1998 after working in the rope industry for 25 years. The initial plan was to be an importer and distributor of ropes in United States market with no intentions of manufacturing. However after a few years in business he began buying equipment and manufacturing specialty ropes for the US market. Today our business is about 50% import and 50% manufacturing.

CFBC: What family members work with you in the business (if any)?
BD: Currently there are three family members that work in the business. Both of my parents and I all work at Erin Rope.

CFBC: How did you hear about the CFBC and what motivated you to join?
BD: I first learned about the CFBC through my father who was already in the CFBC. Before I started working at Erin Rope I knew very little about CFBC or his forum group. However after I started working for Erin Rope I was approached by my father about meeting with a group of a few other young individuals that were involved in a family business. The others in the group worked for other companies within his forum group. After a few meetings together we were approached about joining the CFBC as part of our own forum group. The few meetings that our pre-forum group had together were a breath of fresh air. Motivating me to join was the opportunity I saw to meet with other young professional individuals that would understand the types of responsibilities and problems one might stumble upon both in daily business and personal life that others might not understand or care to talk about.

CFBC: How has CFBC helped your company succeed?
BD: Since joining the CFBC I have seen areas in which meeting with my forum group has been helpful with improving the ways in which I help manage the business. However that being said our forum group is less than one year old and will only continue to help in the future.

CFBC: What has been the most rewarding aspect of your experience with your forum and the CFBC?
BD: The most rewarding aspect of forum for me is the relationships that have been built with the individuals in my forum. These relationships are why I look forward to going to each forum meeting.

CFBC: Is there one thing you have learned from being a member of CFBC that has impacted your business or your life the most?
BD: I feel that time will answer this question. After such a short time together I believe that the biggest impact on my life business or personal has yet to happen.

CFBC: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
BD: In my free time I like to attend sporting events, go boating in the summer time, and spending time with family and friends.

CFBC: What one book would you recommend to your fellow CFBC members?
BD: Customer Love by Mac Anderson

CFBC: Name one person who had the biggest impact on you as a leader?
BD: My father.

CFBC: What was your first job?
BD: My first job was a small lawn mowing business I started with my neighbor when I was in grade school. We went door to door to any house within walking distance of our houses to ask for their business.

CFBC: Do you have a favorite song?
BD: The Doobie Brothers – Black Water

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