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A Seat at the TableAuthor: Capital Region Family Business Center
Welcome to A Seat at the Table, Trials and Triumphs of Family Business, hosted by Natalie Mariani Kling, a 4th generation family business owner. This program is a creation of The Capital Region Family Business Center, a non-profit agency whose purpose is to help family businesses grow and prosper.One thing about being a part of a family business, is that its unique. Family businesses often began very simply, with a person who had an idea. Rarely were these people educated in business or finance, they usually didnt have big investors, sometimes, they didnt even speak English. But they saw an opportunity that could support their family, and so they started.Once these family businesses grow and are handed to 2nd, 3rd, 4th generations, there are not only the complexities of any growing business, but also the dynamics of family and relationships and navigating things like, which family member will be CEO, should this year's profits be reinvested or distributed? Differences in opinions can complicate Sunday night dinners, estate planning, who wants to keep running this business, preserving a legacy, entitlement, privilege, imposter syndromebut there can also be magic.In a time where we want to KNOW the people behind a brand, and where authenticity and trust play a big part in our purchases as consumers, having a family that runs and operates a business over generations can create a very special culture where its success is built on relationships from vendors to employees to customers.On this podcast, expect real conversations with real family business members about what its like to be in a family business, run a family business, and the trials and triumphs of taking it into the next generation. Language: en-us Genres: Business, Management, Non-Profit Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Episode 41: From Two Trucks to Three Generations: The Kludt Oil Story
Wednesday, 1 April, 2026
Let us know what you thought of this episode and any other comments you may have. In this episode, host Natalie Kling speaks with the Kludt family—three generations behind Kludt Oil, a Northern California fuel delivery company that started with a small gas station and two trucks in 1962 and has grown into a trusted provider serving farms, ranches, and businesses across the region.What makes this conversation powerful isn’t just the longevity—it’s how each generation has shaped the business in its own way. From a matriarch who built the financial systems by hand, to a second generation that bet everything on growth, to brothers now navigating leadership together in a volatile and evolving industry.We talk about what it really looks like to grow up inside a family business, how roles evolve over time, and the constant tension between working in the business and working on it.This is a story about legacy, adaptability, and the reality of running a business where family, employees, and customers are all deeply connected.Why It MattersFamily businesses are the backbone of local economies—but sustaining them across generations is anything but simple.This episode highlights the real challenges: succession, sibling dynamics, hiring the right people, and navigating industry disruption. It also reinforces something deeper—values, culture, and trust are often the true drivers of long-term success.There’s a lot to learn here about stewardship, resilience, and building something that lasts. Not to mention how the family is dealing with an oil shortage/crisis at the time of the recording. Chapters00:00 – Introduction & the Kludt Oil origin story01:00 – From a small gas station to a growing fuel delivery business03:00 – Early risks, reinvestment, and building infrastructure07:00 – The matriarch behind the systems and profitability10:00 – Growing up in the business across generations16:00 – Expanding services and driving revenue growth21:00 – Brother dynamics and leadership evolution31:00 – Culture, employees, and treating people like family35:00 – Industry volatility and fuel market challenges43:00 – Working on vs in the business50:00 – Hard work vs luck—and what really drives successYou can find more about Kludt Oil by visiting their website: https://kludtoil.com/To learn more about the Capital Region Family Business Center visit our website HERE. To learn more about River City Bank and how they can benefit your family business, visit www.rivercitybank.com
