During the two-plus years that led up to that fateful Friday night where everything blew up, the finances of the company began to improve.

It was during that time that Kenny and Dot came on board.

Great things were happening in the business with the good work that Ron was doing, simultaneous with the industry improving.

Thanks to Ron and the industry, Smith Brothers Electronics was well positioned to take advantage of the upturn when it happened. Things were booming again.

Of course, it was not all hearts and flowers. Ron had a much different style than the others.

First, he received a remodeled office. Previously, the room he was using as his office had been used by a couple of the others.

It had once been an open door, drop-in situation, but Ron worked with his door closed.

Ron wore a suit and tie to work, which was totally foreign to their industry.

He never went out into the shop or out for a beer with the guys on a Friday night.

He parked in the parking lot up front that was typically for the few customers that would come by instead of the back, unpaved lot like everyone else.

Effectively, Ron threatened the company culture, just by his own actions.

Tom was jealous (and rightly so) because of Ron's important contribution in such a short time. The things that had happened to turn the business around in that very short time were extraordinary.

The rest of the brothers felt that they had been marginalized as a result. Bill was jealous of Ron's white shirt and tie, and he resented that Ron acted like a big shot.

Meanwhile, Joe was oblivious to it all. He stayed in his office out in the motor pool, mostly shooting the breeze with his cronies who dropped by, telling them just how smart he was to have a son like Ron.

Bobbie could see the cloud of explosive gas hovering over the family business, but she had no idea what to do about it. After all, those were her sons. Joe was her husband. Without Ron being there, they would be in deep trouble. As always, being the mom and "Chief Emotional Officer," she was the person in the middle.

Bobbie asked for my card after the presentation. But of course, many people ask for your card and never follow up, so I had no expectation other than giving them my card.

Time passed and the tension built. The gaseous cloud covered the business more and more, until....

Fast forward to that fateful Friday afternoon. Here's what happened.

Boiling Point Explodes >>>