Like Son, Unlike Father

Two Portland (Ore.) sons brought their dads into businesses. And there the stories diverge.

Environmental activist Sukhdeep Singh envisioned a restaurant, the Kalga Kafe, that would be be a testimony both to his Indian heritage and his philosophical principles. Quietly rebellious scion Travis Knight turned his back on playing the role of industry legacy and followed his passion for animation.

Singh turned to his dad for financial and management help. And father Amrik, an engineer by training, left Washington, D.C. for the northwest, bringing both to what he refers to as a "whimsical" investment. To the father, the goal is family duty: "Being parents, we have invested in this one. We have provided him the opportunity." To the son, this is a mission: "To fight capitalism, we'll have to do capitalism."

The Knights, too, are in the same location, but not a similar place. The young Knight had the misfortune to be a part of Will Vinton Studios, an innovator fallen on hard times. So, father Phil — billionaire emperor of Nike — stepped in with an investment ... and eventually took over, kicking out Vinton and replacing other members of the management team as well as naming himself and his son to the board. And soon coming to theaters as a test of this parent's involvement and son's attempt to make his own way will be the multi-million dollar, digital 3-D epic "Coraline," based on Neil Gaiman's young adult novel.

Although they work together, father and son Knight continue to see things differently. "I can find solace here," says Travis.

"Obviously, we'd love to do $100 million," says father Phil.

** Meddle or muddle, fathers have to be involved. **