Do you mix business and family affairs?

[tloonya]

Business relationships. 20 people I am dealing with (vendors). 1000 of people they are dealing with (including myself) - buyers.
I heard the talk between guys who was inviting one or several of the sellers to his child's wedding.
And I thought of...if sellers were attending all their buyers children's weddings they wouldn't have time to work! The ratio is 1x50.
Also I was wondering about how does it go in a business world, are you inviting your clients to your family affairs and why?
And if so - is there a proper etiquette? Can you be 'out of line' inviting someone to your family affair and what situations are those?

I hope I have a long way to go until I have a wedding in my family but just wondering...

[greeniis10]

No, I have no co-workers (for which I'm thankful for every day) and I don't socialize with clients.  My manager socializes with our clients and it can be tricky, especially when it comes to inviting people to events for their kids and/or grandkids.  I think a lot of it has to do with the specific industry, too.

I would think that in sales it would require a lot more socializing and reciprocating of invites to weddings and such.  Doesn't mean you have to ATTEND each one, as you note, there would be too many to go to.  But sending a card and small gift, at least acknowledging the event would be important.

[sheilaincali]

Yes we do.

We are a small family owned business. Some of our customers have been with us for 20+ years. I've been invited for graduation parties, anniversary parties, weddings, etc.  My parents get invited to even more than I do. Some of these people we see multiple times a week.  In some cases a 2nd generation has taken over for the older generation. 

My dad is close friends with many of our customers outside of work. He has a regular "breakfast crew" that meets every Saturday at 7:00 am. Many of our customers are part of that crew and they have been friends for years. The couples vacation together, the wives all get along and socialize together, they have a big Holiday celebration together every year.

So yes- some of our customers we know very well and have vacationed with. We are also so close to one of the outside salesman that my sister and I call him "Uncle Lee". 

We are a relatively small city (50,000 people) with a small town mentality to it.

For example- the last customer that just walked in my door was looking for 6 concrete block. He is my parents next door neighbor and I subsequently hired him to do my home inspection when I bought my house in 2009 (that's what he does for a living).  

Another customer of ours owns a construction company.  He is a member of my dad's breakfast club, the wife and my mom are friends, I graduated with their oldest son, one of the twins is a lawyer and was my son's Appeals Court advisor for Youth In Government last year.  I've been on vacation with these people.  We've been to each other's weddings, graduations, Birthday parties, etc.  The relationship started from them being a customer of ours in 1984 and has grown from there.  

Probably 75% of the customers are people that know me and know my family. They ask after my husband often (he used to manage this company). They know who my son is.

[giramomma]

Yes, we also mix business and pleasure.

I feel fortunate that other folks are genuinely interested in us.

[Sum Dum Gai]

I've had some of my regular customers and employees over for barbecues and gaming at our house. So far nothing weird has come of it, but I haven't been in business that long either. One of my employees is in the living room right now hanging out with Loop. They've become pretty good friends.