One day, Walter Lipsett was thumbing through the pages of Delta Airlines’ magazine, eager for a momentary distraction. Back then, his first business, Central Steel Supply, was thriving. His second business, Charles River Apparel (asi/44620), was floundering. A couple of managers had failed to grow sales over the past seven years, leaving Lipsett frustrated with the status quo. He noticed an article in the magazine describing the promo products industry, and wondered if his company’s rain jackets would adapt to the market. He called ASI for more information, learned that there was a local trade show planned for the next day, and sent his son Barry to scope out the scene.

“I didn’t know whether Barry would be a good businessman or not, but he took to it like a duck takes to water,” Walter says.

The jacket was a hit, and Charles River Apparel entered the promo products industry. Walter sold the business to Barry in 1993, and the CEO has since led the supplier to incredible growth. Serving more than 13,000 distributors nationwide, the company’s lines have penetrated into retail, sporting goods, college bookstores and resort stores. In 2016, the company broke into the Top 40 with $48 million in 2015 sales, up 9% from the prior year.

Growing up, Barry didn’t plan to join the family business. He studied history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he met his wife, Deb, a psychology major. After graduation, he worked at Central Steel while figuring out what to do with his life. When he was told to check out the trade show, he found his passion. “The product, the creativity and the opportunity appealed to me much more,” Barry says.

He wasn’t alone. His sister Susan was the reason his dad started Charles River Apparel. “She was graduating from college and had interest in fashion and clothing and sales,” Barry says. “He thought this would be great for her.” While Barry handled the promotional division of the company, Susan headed the retail portion. Sadly, in 2006, she passed away after a five-year battle with breast cancer.

In honor of Susan, the company has focused on philanthropic efforts as part of the Charles River Cares initiative. Under Deb’s direction, the company donates to cancer-related charities, environmental causes and Christmas in the City, an annual toy-filled party for homeless and poverty-stricken Boston-area families. Barry also participates in the Pan-Mass Challenge, a fundraiser for cancer research. In 2016, the company was recognized by NEPPA as a humanitarian of the year.

“My dad taught me that one of the values of having a business is the ability to give back,” Barry says. “We’re expanding our impact on the community and figuring out a structured way to engage employees,” Deb says.

Lipsett blood continues to flow at Charles River as Barry’s other sister, Julie, works in the human resources department, and his son, Jason, is a project manager.

“It’s great to be recognized for the success of the efforts of my children,” Walter says. “There could be jealousy or animosity; I’ve seen it happen over the years with my customers who had great businesses. But we’ve been fortunate to stay together. What could be more satisfying?”