How to Protect Family Legacy When Family Can’t
Lessons in Leadership, Trust, and Succession with Gary Flynn of M. Dumas & Sons
When the next generation isn’t able (or ready) to take over, how do you protect what’s been built for more than a century?
That’s the challenge David Dumas, third-generation owner of M. Dumas & Sons, face – a Charleston institution known for timeless style and customer care since 1917.
When David developed a degenerative eye disease that left him blind, he faced an unimaginable decision: close the doors of his grandfather’s store or trust someone outside the family to carry its legacy forward.
Instead of shutting down, he chose a path few families take… bringing in a partner who wasn’t a blood relative, but who shared the same respect for history, quality, and community.
That partner was Gary Flynn, now CEO and co-owner of M. Dumas & Sons. His story offers powerful lessons for family business succession planning…especially when the next leader might not share the last name.
(This article is inspired by a conversation on the Family Business Breakthroughs Podcast with host Jim Berner.)
When Legacy Meets Change
Every family business eventually faces transition. But not every family is ready for what that means.
David and Gary’s partnership shows that legacy isn’t only protected through lineage, it’s preserved through shared values, trust, and intentional leadership.
Together, they doubled the business, expanded into new locations, and launched an e-commerce site that sustained the brand through the pandemic. Their approach demonstrates how “evolution, not revolution” keeps a business both relevant and respected.
Building Trust in a Leadership Transition
Handing over control is never easy, especially for leaders who’ve built a company with their own hands.
Gary knew that before making any big changes, he had to earn David’s trust, and that started with listening.
“The first thing I had to do was understand the history, the culture, and the heartbeat of the Dumas family,” Gary explains. “Only then could we start evolving things, without losing what makes it special.”
This kind of humility and communication is at the core of successful succession planning. It ensures that the person stepping in, whether family or not, understands what the business truly stands for.
Keeping the Customer at the Center
Gary’s background with Nordstrom taught him an enduring principle: the customer always comes first.
He applied that philosophy immediately at M. Dumas & Sons, empowering employees to treat their departments as mini-businesses: giving them ownership, responsibility, and pride in serving customers well.
That level of customer-centric thinking isn’t just good for business, it’s essential to sustaining a legacy brand in changing times. When families pass down not just the company, but the commitment to the customer, the legacy endures far beyond a surname.
No two succession stories are the same, but this one offers universal takeaways for every family-owned company preparing for transition:
- Start succession planning early. Even unexpected challenges can be navigated with a plan in place.
- Focus on shared values, not just shared DNA. Legacy lives through principles, not just people.
- Empower the next generation (or trusted leaders) to grow the business.
- Stay curious. Innovation keeps your legacy alive and your business relevant.
- Lead with trust. Whether family or not, no leader can succeed without it.
Continuing the Conversation
Protecting a family legacy takes courage, strategy, and sometimes, help from outside the bloodline.
If you’re thinking about your own family business succession planning, consider how you can start building trust, documenting values, and creating systems that endure.
For deeper insight into this remarkable story, you can listen to the full conversation here: Watch the episode here on YouTube: How to Protect Family Legacy When Family Can’t
At Meridian Associates
For more than 30 years, Meridian has helped family-owned companies strengthen leadership, clarify direction, and build enduring success through every transition. Whether you’re preparing for your next generation, considering outside leadership, or simply want to protect what your family has built, our expert family business specialists are here to guide the way.
Contact Meridian to learn how we can support your family business succession planning journey.
