In many family-owned businesses the heir apparent (normally the eldest son of the owner) is prepared for the job by working as many of the low-level jobs as pos

In many family-owned businesses the heir apparent (normally the eldest son of the owner) is prepared for the job by working as many of the low-level jobs as possible when a teenager. They clean the trash, lubricate the machines, etc. Two benefits: they know about how the business works so they can't be BSed later on, and they have the credibility with the line-level employees.