The present paper aimed to analyze the situation that Venezuelan family businesses present. A descriptive study was made of a sample of one hundred six companies of different sizes and economic activities. The study focused on determining the demographic characteristics and employment of its members as well as the degree of development for the government organs that makes it possible to mitigate the effects of the family system, as well as measure the impact of some environmental variables on its production management. The data shows that the majority of the production units are transiting the first generation of entrepreneurs, where the small and medium predominate; there is a scarce presence of government organizations and the absence of plans for succession. The above makes it possible to assume that in the future, serious difficulties could appear associated with such deficiencies and the influence of an adverse economic, political and social environment.