Dan Townes was about 13 years old when he started working in the family business. Digging drainage ditches and unclogging toilets was the complete opposite of glamorous, but it was just the first steps for Townes to become a permanent part of Shelbyville Pencil Company. It worked. Just as with his grandfather D.L. (who started the business) and his father George, the people and the work rubbed off on Dan.

“Corny as it sounds, I’m doing what I’ve always wanted to do since I was 17 years old,” Townes says.

Shelbyville Pencil Company/Shepenco (asi/86850) is the recipient of this year’s Counselor Supplier Family Business of the Year award. Started in the midst of the Great Depression, the Tennessee-based supplier has demonstrated remarkable longevity in its 89 years to remain an industry leader in pencils and writing instruments. The company is currently a fourth-generation family business, with Townes taking over as owner in 1993, and his son Daniel serving as the company’s COO.

In this Promo Insiders episode, Townes shares stories from decades of working in the promo industry, describes what it’s like to work with family every day, and offers his perspective on how to build a successful, long-lasting company.

“It’s taking care of your employees as best you can. And taking care of your customers as best you can,” he says. “When something leaves here, it’s your name, it’s your company. Do you want to put a piece of crap out there or do something half-assed? I love the phrase ‘Do it right the first time.’ That’s what we try to do down here.”