This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Love and Family Abound in Crofton Businesses

Crofton Businesses: A Family Tradition

Family-owned businesses continue to be a major factor in the American economy.

Consider the following statistics reported by the University of Southern Maine's Institute for Family-Owned Business:

  • Some 35% of Fortune 500 companies are family-controlled. Family businesses account for 50% of U.S. gross domestic product.
  • They generate 60% of the country's employment and 78% of all new job creation.

Like the rest of the country, family owned businesses are plentiful in Crofton.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Five years ago Christal Berlin thought she would be going to yet another predictable carpet convention in Missouri. Little did she know that one convention would lead to love and a change in her life plan.  Greg Berlin of Bowie was representing his family’s Crofton business, Quality Carpet One.

It was love at first sight.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

“We instantly hit it off and it wasn’t too much longer before I moved to Crofton to be closer to Greg. We soon married and I began working in the store,” said Berlin. The store was originally founded by Berlin’s grandfather, and then his father purchased the company. Now, Greg and Christal own the 40 year old business.

“It is wonderful working with Greg. It has allowed our family to have so much flexibility. I am able to do much more volunteering at my son’s school. Plus, I know that the store and the business are being taken care of,” said Berlin. She describes the partnership as wonderful because of the trust they have for each other. 

It is also a family affair at the Family Veterinary Clinic in Crofton. Owner Patrick Maslar and family are enjoying the benefits of a family owned business.

“Dr. Varner and I found ourselves in a situation where both of us could use our strengths to further a business.  She was doing relief work at a local veterinary clinic and I was running a construction company I had opened ten years prior. We purchased a local veterinary clinic and closed the construction company. She became medical director and I transitioned to business director; it was a perfect fit.” The Davidsonville couple says owning a business together has been, at times stressful, especially during construction of the new building. However, the situation has presented a unique opportunity to teach their children about integrity, time management, responsibility, and the rewards that come with hard work.

Children Joseph and Charlotte have also shown a deep interest in animals.

Joseph, especially, is interested in helping out around the clinic. He even mentioned that when he grows up he wants to clean the clinic. Maslar said both children visit regularly and know their way around, including their favorite, the surgery area. They also help with putting together promotional materials for the SPCA Walk and Bark In The Park at Baysox stadium.

“You do not realize how helpful children can be until you see it with your own eyes. I think it is important to involve them so they know what "Mommy and Daddy" do...this makes it easier if, for some reason, one of us cannot go to a soccer game or just play,” remarked Maslar. 

Scott and Colleen Taggart, owners of Ledos Pizza at Eddie’s Place on Rt. 3 have worked together for over 14 years. “This has been a great situation. It is very easy and natural to work with Colleen. We both have easy going personalities and we trust each other,” said Taggart. He says that one of the greatest benefits is that his wife has an incredible amount of flexibility during the summer when their two children are out of school.

“We feel very strongly about family and children, not just our children but all children. Our children have always gone to Crofton schools and that is part of the reason why we do so much fund raising events for the local schools,” commented Taggart. 

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?