Leading with Values

What is your full name, and where are you from?

My name is Jeff Nicklaus, and I was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Can you share a little about your professional background and current role?    

After graduating from the University of Scranton, I began my career with J&D Associates, a family-run business owned by a close friend of my family. The original plan was for me to work in sales and eventually take over the company when the founder retired. After five years, however, the owner sold the business to KKR, a private equity firm. I continued to manage the business for more than 20 years, serving as president for 15 of those years.

Although I ultimately never owned that company, what I gained was invaluable—the firsthand experience of mergers and acquisitions, as well as completing an AMP at Harvard Business School.

In 2010, I decided to take the leap and co-founded J&J Companies with Jeff Morey. Together, we grew the company rapidly over 15 years. When Jeff retired in 2019, I purchased his equity and became the sole owner.

What inspired you to get involved in your family business (or field of work)?

I’ve always known I wanted to own my own business, though I wasn’t sure exactly what kind. My goal was to create something where I had the freedom to make decisions that would shape the company’s future. Both of my parents worked for large corporations—AT&T and Armstrong—and I saw firsthand how little influence they had in shaping outcomes. That experience motivated me to build a business where I could make a meaningful impact.

What do you consider your biggest passion or driving force in your career?

From the beginning, my passion has been to build a company that treats its people and partners like family—where associates are valued, customers are treated as long-term partners, and the result is lasting success and financial security for my family and team.

Have you experienced any challenges or adversity in your journey? If so, how did you overcome them? 

In April of this year, I made one of the most difficult decisions of my career—to sell and divest our Retail Division to one of my closest competitors. That division represented more than 20 years of experience serving retail customers, so the decision was deeply personal and emotional. However, it became clear that the market was rapidly shifting toward e-commerce, and to ensure our company’s continued growth, I needed to pivot and refocus the business.

One of my top priorities during the sale was to guarantee that most of our employees were retained by the new owner—and I’m proud to say that goal was achieved. This transition affected more than 75% of our employees, making it an incredibly tough period. Yet, I was confident it was the right move for the long-term sustainability of the company and our people. We faced the change head-on—with transparency, compassion, and a commitment to help our team members transition successfully. Looking back, it was one of the hardest, yet most defining, moments of my leadership journey

What has been one of the biggest highlights or successes you’ve experienced in your family business?

One of the biggest highlights over our 15 years in business has been our ability to grow and diversify while keeping our family values at the core of what we do. Never losing sight of those values has always been one of my most important responsibilities.

I’ve had the opportunity to mentor and advise many young people, including my own children, as they explore their interests and business goals.

A particularly proud moment was when my son-in-law, Bryan Haberstroh, joined our team nearly three years ago. Bryan has been a driving force behind our rebranding under J&J Companies and led the implementation of our first CRM (HubSpot). He also developed a strong marketing and advertising strategy that has helped take J&J to the next level.

Having him on board has brought fresh energy, new ideas, and a shared passion for our mission and vision. Seeing the next generation step up and help shape the company’s future has been incredibly rewarding.

What lessons have you learned from navigating the highs and lows of your journey?

Over the years, I’ve learned—and lived by—a few simple principles, most of which I credit to my father.

First, treat everyone just a little better than you’d like to be treated. Relationships are the glue that hold people together; they’re what get you through the hard times and make celebrating the wins much sweeter.

Second, never burn a bridge. Even if someone has wronged you or treated you poorly in business, I always strive to maintain that relationship. I’ve seen that value come full circle many times throughout my career—you never know where the next opportunity will come from. Lastly, I’ve learned that doing the right thing for others—without expecting anything in return—is one of life’s greatest rewards. When your intentions are genuine, you’ll never be disappointed. Those lessons have guided me through every success and setback along the way.

How has being part of a family business shaped your leadership style or outlook?

Being part of a family business has been an amazing experience that has shaped not only my leadership style but also my perspective on what truly matters. From being an employee in a family-run business to now being an owner, I’ve learned the importance of patience, trust, and open communication—especially when personal and professional goals overlap. It has also reinforced that success isn’t just measured by profits or growth, but by the strength of the relationships you build and the legacy you create for future generations. Leading a family business means balancing tradition with innovation, and that balance has made me a more grounded and people-focused leader.

What advice would you give to the next generation stepping into leadership roles?

Make time to build meaningful, lasting relationships—they will be the foundation of your career. Celebrate your wins along the way; too often we dwell on mistakes and overlook progress.

Remember, you can never fully repay those who helped you grow, but you can pay it forward. Share your knowledge, support others, and keep good things happening. Leadership isn’t just about achieving success—it’s about helping others achieve theirs too.

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future—for yourself, your family business, or your community?

I’m excited about the opportunity to spend more time working on the business rather than in the business, as we continue to grow and develop our next-level management team. We’ve been focused on building a strong succession plan to ensure our long-term goals become reality.Equally exciting is watching the next generation bring new ideas, energy, and technology into the company. Seeing our team evolve while staying true to our core values makes me confident that the best is yet to come—for our family, our business, and the community we serve.

This blog post was written by Jeff Nicklaus, owner of J&J Companies, and shared in partnership with Next Gen of Lancaster. It reflects on the lessons, challenges, and defining moments of leading a family business—where values, relationships, and resilience shape both the journey and the legacy. Jeff’s story highlights the importance of balancing tradition with innovation and empowering the next generation to carry forward a culture of integrity, purpose, and growth.