Last week I talked about some of the things that lead to my success early on. You can go check it out here to catch up. This week I will dive into an event that completely changed the trajectory of my business.
You have undoubtedly heard how important people are to the success of a company. Obviously there are a ton of factors that drive success but fundamentally without the right people, you are going to fail. So how has this played out for me? I’m glad you asked!
As I told you before, I worked at a large regional public accounting firm directly out of college. I was assigned all different types of clients, but one particular client took up a majority of my time during tax season. Because of this I had the opportunity to work with one specific co-worker for long periods of time. We bonded right away. Not only because we had a common interest in Philly sports teams but also because our philosophy on work was almost identical. We just had a great flow with getting our work done and solving problems together.
He left the company a few months prior to me leaving. He decided to go to a smaller firm and get some different work experience. After I started my business we stayed in touch. I would ask him tax questions from time to time during that first tax season out on my own. Once the summer hit though, it was time to recruit. We went to lunch a few times and started talking about what it would look like to bring him on board. He was now a tax manager and getting paid very well, so it was tricky.
After months of difficult negotiating, my hard to resist charm finally paid off (that’s my story and I’m sticking to it). Alex decided to make the plunge and join up with Quantify.
Needless to say, I was a more than a little excited for this addition. With Alex joining on, we were legit now. I was confident that with his skill set, we could compete with anyone. And I stand by that statement to this day.
I knew that my tax/accounting skills could only take me so far. I was pretty skilled for my age but was lacking experience. I only worked in public accounting for 3 years. Alex on the other hand had about 10 years of experience. He is also one of the smartest accountants I have ever met and I am not just saying that because he is my business partner. He is one of those people that just “gets it”. He always has a good answer or knows where to find one.
I absolutely would not be where I am today without Alex. His accounting skills are better than most, but what makes our partnership so successful is that he is simply a good guy. Sure, we argue and go back and forth on a daily basis. However, we do that so we can serve our clients better and build a successful business.
People are what make businesses successful. Even if you are a sole proprietor, this applies to you. Your attorney, your accountant, your insurance agent, they are all part of your business and will help to determine your fate. Not only will having good people around you make you more successful, it will help you to enjoy the journey along the way.
If there is ever an event to change the timeline of a great story, it’s introducing a new and vital character. Companionship, camaraderie, solidarity, unity, all of these integral life qualities require more than one character. And at the end of the day, we become known by those we surround ourselves with, and we are also most influenced by those same people in our lives. Who is influencing, supporting, and reflecting who you are?
I cannot guarantee my clients will all be millionaires. I cannot guarantee they will have any level of success. But what I can guarantee is that we will fight for them every single day and always do what is right. How can I say that with such confidence? Because I have surrounded myself with amazing people, starting at the very top with my business partner, Alex.
