My grandpa Jim Warner used to joke that Warners’ Stellian, which he started, had 203 employees — and only three of them weren’t related to us.

He exaggerated for effect, of course, but the underlying message that ours is truly a family business can’t be overstated.

Tomorrow, Warners’ Stellian joins the seven other Minnesota family businesses named finalists for this year’s Minnesota Family Business Awards.

Sure, we employ a lot of family  (currently about 30 of us out of around 200 employees), but family business means more than just working with other Warners — it means creating and maintaining a legacy of family values through our business.

“We want to perpetuate the family values our father, Jim Warner, has taught us through his own life: humility, integrity, gratitude and compassion,” said Jeff Warner, president. “Our dad’s values have brought us success both as a family and as a business.”

I love this ad. Jim & Nonie Warner took this picture with us grandchildren, the third generation of Warners’ Stellian — of whom 11 work here full-time — minus about six or seven that came after this picture. Bet you can’t spot me!

We are extremely honored to be recognized as outstanding among the state’s family businesses, which bring so much value to our economy and communities. In fact, Gov. Tim Pawlenty just declared October to be Family Business Awareness Month.

In the proclamation, he recognized family businesses as “critical to the success of our state and national economy” and their ability to “enhance our communities by providing stable, trustworthy services.”

Thanks to Minnesota Family Business Awards for the honor, to our customers for making us successful and, especially, to my grandpa and grandma for creating such a wonderful family legacy.