Some of the most meaningful conversations aren’t just about technology or growth strategies — they’re about people. In this thoughtful and open discussion about leadership, family dynamics and branding, siblings Hunter Slade and Emily Slade Manzo share what it means to carry forward a family business while shaping its future with intention.
Hunter and Emily are more than just owners and vice presidents at Slade, the company their parents Lisa and Tom founded. They're also strategic thinkers and close confidants.
As a sibling leadership team, they bring a balance that feels both natural and intentional. Responsibilities are clearly defined, but trust is the real anchor. They hold each other accountable, challenge each other when needed and share a commitment to the same outcome — building a business that continues to grow while staying true to its values.
Slade is built on a simple but powerful idea: Print is about telling a story. That belief shows up in how the company helps brands bring ideas to life in ways that connect. It’s a mindset that moves beyond transactions and into partnership, where creativity, service and execution all play a role in delivering something memorable.
Growing up around the business, Hunter and Emily developed an early understanding of what it takes to build something lasting. Today, those lessons still guide how they lead — with a focus on relationships, accountability and doing the work the right way as the business evolves.
That grounded, forward-thinking leadership is important now to Slade as the company invests in new capabilities and presents itself as a brand booster and problem solver for any marketing, communications or print need.
Their entrepreneurial energy shows up in how they approach challenges, how they think about new opportunities and how they position Slade as more than a traditional print provider.
For anyone leading or growing a family business, the conversation is a reminder that success isn’t just about what you build — it’s about how you build it, and who you build it with.
