Allison MaslanCEO & Business Scaling Expert | WSJ Bestselling Author

The secret to working with family for 38 years

8 Oct 2026 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:49

In this interview excerpt, Allison Maslan discusses the inherent conflicts that arise when building a family business with her brothers, using a band analogy to illustrate role distribution and compensation. She explains that while each sibling may desire the spotlight, they have embraced distinct roles—Allison as the front‑facing representative who attends events and becomes the public face of Wahoos, while her brothers take on other positions. Despite differing responsibilities, they have agreed on equal pay, emphasizing that personal satisfaction comes from contributing in any role rather than seeking the lead position. The conversation highlights the importance of clear role definition, shared financial equity, and the willingness to support each other's contributions in a family‑run company.

Chapters

You built Wahoos with your brothers, and with all of that can come some conflict. Oh, always.
Just think of it this way. It's a band. In a band, there's going to be a lead singer, a bass, a guitar, and a drummer. Everybody wants to be the lead singer. That's why they end up splitting up, right? The Eagles, how good were they when they split up? There were a few hits, but were they better when they were together? The answer is yes. I joke with my brothers, I'm okay if They want me to be the drummer. I'm okay if they want me to be the bass player. I just happen to be the one that goes to all the events, so I'm very forward-facing to the consumer. So when people think of Wahoos, they think of me. But we all make exactly the same money. If I'm in a band, why would— do I care if I'm not singing? I'm playing the guitar or the bongos, I'm getting the same check. I'd be very, very happy.