How Mick Arnold Saved – and GREW – His Family Business | “Love ‘n Business” Podcast

On September 20, 1995, Mick Arnold’s life changed forever. At 24, tragic circumstances dictated that he take the reins of the family distribution and manufacturing business, Arnold’s Factory Supply. His personal journey and how he evolved the business into Arnold Packaging and Arnold Automation is both instructional and inspiring. Join entrepreneurs Britt and Mick Arnold in this compelling episode of “Love ‘n Business” podcast.

A quick recap of Mick Arnold’s journey to President… 

Mick literally learned the business at his parent’s knees. They regularly brought him to the office with them and he was allowed to explore and exercise his curiosity.

At 13, he began helping out at Arnold and developing a strong work ethic. By 15, he was zeroing in on his favorite aspects of the business. At 16, he was making deliveries and learning sales over the summer months. He followed that pattern through his college years with his father offering training and insights along the say.

After his graduation in 1993, Mick was immersed in the business under his father’s tough tutelage, while learning best practices and processes from Arnold’s customers and manufacturers along the way.

In September of 1995, Mick was made aware of his father’s fatal cancer diagnosis, his mother left the company to care for him and his father’s right-hand man, Mick’s brother-in-law Andy, also had health issues and took time off to recover. Mick was now unexpectedly in charge. His father continued to be a resource until he died late that year.

At the start of the next year, Mick’s mother and Andy returned. Things ran smoothly for a few months until Arnold lost some key employees, a new ERP software system caused complications, and Andy left the company.

Mick then officially took over as the fourth-generation owner of struggling 62-year-old Arnold’s Factory Supply… at 24.

Over his 30-year tenure, Mick rebranded the company as Arnold Packaging, acquired several businesses, launched an automation integration division, relocated operations from Baltimore City to a sprawling new facility at Trade Point Atlantic, and most impressively, achieved a seven-fold increase in profits!

Click below to watch the episode to find out the lessons he learned over the years – and how he did found success…

About “Love ‘n Business”

Mick Arnold runs his 90+ year old family business, Arnold Packaging as well as his latest venture, Arnold Automation. His wife, Britt Tegeler Arnold, founded Tegeler Construction & Supply in 2016.

In their “Love ‘n Business” podcast, you have a front row seat as they speak openly about navigating their businesses, entrepreneurship, relationships, and life, with their unusual dynamic.

You can view past episodes right here.