In celebration of Father’s Day, SparkVision got to know some dynamic young professionals who work directly with their Dad.
As the saying goes, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” and these stories highlight the unique and special experience that’s created when children collaborate alongside their parents. We hope you’ll enjoy a look inside their day-to-day as family and colleagues!
Daniel Billig is the managing member of A. J. Billig & Co., Auctioneers, a fourth generation auction firm established in 1918. Mr. Billig, a certified and licensed auctioneer and a licensed real estate broker, has more than forty years of auction and real estate experience.
Charles “Chuck” Billig is a fourth generation member of A.J. Billig & Co., Auctioneers, a 99-year-old family owned firm focusing on real estate sales throughout Maryland and surrounding jurisdictions. Chuck lives with his wife, Emily, and their dog, Cecil, in the Riverside neighborhood in South Baltimore. Chuck is a graduate of the University of Baltimore School of Law and Elon University.
Describe your family owned business. Dan: A. J. Billig & Co., Auctioneers is a real estate sales firm, effectively utilizing a public auction as its primary selling mechanism. Our company was established in 1918 by my grandfather, Abraham J. Billig, as a general auction company, selling a variety of assets. Real estate evolved from one asset type, which included commercial and industrial equipment, vehicles, household furniture, and antiques, to our primary emphasis. In approximately 2000, we decided to commit our efforts exclusively to real estate.
How did you get involved? Dan: I am a member of the third generation of owners in the family business. I started working for the company in my early teens, during school holidays. At the time, the business was being run by my father, Jack Billig, although my grandfather was still involved. I became a full-time employee after finishing school and was later joined by my younger brother Andy Billig, when he completed college. My early experience included working in and managing a family store, preparing inventories for auction, posting signs, gathering information about whatever we were selling and working at the auctions. I learned to prepare newspaper ads and evolved into other forms of marketing. I earned my real estate sales and broker’s licenses, appraisal license, went to auction school and completed an Auctioneer’s certification program given by the National Auctioneers Associate at Indiana University.
How did you get involved in your father’s business? Chuck: Unlike my dad, I did not work in the family business growing up. Throughout high school and college, I worked in bars, restaurants, and a country club, with the aspiration of opening my own restaurant business (not an especially unique dream, I know). Managing a bar the summer before my senior year of college quelled that dream a good bit. That was 2005, the real estate market was booming, and the company was starting to consider bringing on more staff. My dad and I spoke a few times during holiday breaks about my goals, their needs and whether it made sense for them to bring me aboard. Everything aligned well and I began working with the company the summer after I graduated.
What did you see in your child as a kid that serves them well now as an adult? Dan: Chuck learned early in life to establish good relationships. He is direct and forthright. As a child, he learned the importance of direct eye contact and interpersonal communication. Chuck is smart but not overbearing. He is willing to listen to different perspectives before making a judgment.
What qualities do you see in your dad that you now see in yourself? Chuck: I see more of my dad’s personality in myself as I get older. We are both very direct people. While sometimes that can catch people off-guard, it is something I have found that family, friends and certainly clients value in the long term. My dad also taught me that service to the community is more than just something nice to do, it is an obligation we have as community members. We have had a lot of success as individuals, a family and as a business, so there is an inherent duty to take time, money and effort to support those in our community who could use some help.
What’s the best part of working with your child/Dad?
Dan: I enjoy watching Chuck mature in the business by developing his own methods and clients. He is customer service oriented and makes that his primary concern. Chuck has improved our operation with new ideas and a fresh outlook. I most enjoy sharing our business successes together and am especially proud when I see him succeed on his own.
Chuck: My dad has an immense amount of experience. That is an asset that cannot be overvalued. He has decades in real estate sales, was an appraiser for about twenty years and has been a leader within the company as our business has transitioned throughout the last several years. He has also spent a lot of time volunteering in leadership roles with non-profit organizations. I have tried to leverage that experience for both our business and my role in the community. And, we both appreciate a good lunch spot.
What do you want your legacy to be?
Dan: I hope my business legacy to my son is the message that change is constant. One must learn to adapt and not fall into comfortable routines. My family has tried to be forthright in our business dealings and I am certain that Chuck will carry forward that tradition.
Chuck: Legacy is a tough word. From a business perspective, being the fourth generation anything can be daunting. I want to grow our business while maintaining the honesty and reliability that has always been our cornerstone. As a community member, I would like to create a real and lasting impact through community service work. Ultimately, that will require creating a long-term vision, then build a strategy to effectuate that goal.
Happy Father’s Day Dan! We wish the Billig family continued success in your industry. And I personally can’t wait to see if a 5th generation makes it into your auctioneering tribe!