It seems like yesterday, but it was actually 45 years ago on November 1, 1971 when Connie and I opened the office on Bridge Street in Saranac, Michigan, two doors down from Larry's Store which was owned by my Dad.
I had been working for the national CPA firm of Alexander Grand & Company when Herb Talcott honored his promise to let me know when he was ready to retire. So, with 6 business clients and about 100 personal clients, we were off and running on our new adventure.
Within the next year I was approached by Loren Adgate about purchasing accounts from the Estate of Max Stebbins, who ran an accounting practice in Ionia. Max's widow Gladys was most concerned about someone continuing to serve her husbands' clients so she made us an offer we couldn't refuse, while also creating an enduring friendship that lasted until her passing.
These expansions, coupled with incredible client loyalty soon had us at 4 employees and 2 Partners in 1974, all functioning in a 12 foot by 60 foot space in beautiful downtown Saranac. It was tight! But it was like family so we endured.
In 1976 Hillis & Vivian Tichleaar also honored a first-right-to-purchase promise when they were ready to sell their home at 356 E. Main in Saranac. Our idea to make it our home was soon replaced with the vision of making it our office and allowing for our continued growth. We also hoped to create a homey, family-style working environment for our associates. After several successful years, we actually exceeded the capacity of our current location, which ultimately led to establishing a second location in Ada, MI in 2003.
One of my abiding personal visions has been to always grow enough to retain great associates and provide them with opportunities to grow. And we have been blessed with some great associates, several having 20-30 years with the company.
One of my wisest decisions was to surround myself with other competent associates and business partners. We are truly 'better together' and I know our clients benefit from our exceptional talent base. We have incredibly talented people who could easily work at large national firms, but appreciate our efforts to maintain a balanced life between work and family.
It is with great pride that many of our associates and my business partners have also become great friends over the years. What a privilege it is when we celebrate weddings, birthdays, new births, graduations and comfort each other on the passing of loved ones.
I am convinced that our future is still very bright! With great things still ahead as we continue to provide our clients with exceptional client service, and never lose our hunger to stay current and keep learning. I feel these qualities, combined with servicing extremely loyal clients will write wonderful chapters for BHT&D, CPAs for many years to come.
