It was a regular Fall day. October 11, 2009. As I left my parents’ house after lunch to head to the airport, my father was outside mowing the grass. He was recovering from a year-long battle fighting multiple forms of aggressive cancer. By the time I landed in Portland with a co-worker, I had a voicemail saying dad was in the hospital and I should make plans to return home. I flew home the next day and was able to spend some time with my father his last few days before he passed on October 17. Sixteen years ago today.
That day, my mother, my sister, and I inherited an accounting firm with a large client base, services requiring daily attention, and more questions than answers. M & J Tax Service. We weren’t prepared. None of us had ever done payroll. None of us had ever done entity returns. None of us had ever run a business. We sat there, in the office, the day after dad’s funeral with blank stairs.
What should we do? Do we keep things going? Do we close or sell? Do we…? Do we…? What would happen to ourclients?
Obviously, we decided to remain open. And here we are sixteen years later. We are no longer M & J Tax Service, but Messner & Fox, LLC. Over the course of the last sixteen years, we grew to be the largest tax preparation firm in the county. We helped dozens of people realize their dreams of starting a business. We aided dozens of clients in passing on their business. We have celebrated with thousands of clients as they migrate into retirement. And we held hands and shared tears as loved ones filed the final returns for spouses, parents, family, friends, and, yes, children. We have been blessed to work with four generations of family all at the same time.
But everything has its challenges. Even years ago, we would do a minor price increase and would hear comments, “Your grandfather would be so disappointed.” Or being called cruel and heartless because I couldn’t find the time to squeeze yet another return in before bed like my father. Or my mother being called a bitch because we disengaged a client who was not being honest. Running a business can be challenging.
My grandfather, Melvin. My father, Garry. They left such an amazing legacy to the three of us. It has helped shape and alter the course of my life in so many ways.
Legacy Is About the Joy of Passing a Business On, Not Leaving It Behind.
My family is driven by passion. We care. My grandfather started the firm to help the local community. My father continued in his path, even quitting his job and taking a significant pay cut to continue in the family business. Both of them passed while still working. Both had been in the office the weeks they passed. At one point, during his final week in the hospital, dad removed his air mask. He knew it was serious. He knew things were in the final stages. And in the few moments he could have his mask off, he simply asked, “What will happen to my clients?” Even in his last days, instead of seeking rest and peace, he worried for his clients.
Passion drives us. Passion kills us. I am my father’s son. I see a problem and I have to fix it. I see somebody in need and I have to address it. But that comes at a cost. Two years after dad passed, mom was diagnosed with cancer. A year later, we are happy to say, she was/is a cancer survivor. My sister has had severe wrist and hand pain. I have pushed through multiple large health issues over the last few years.
We never had the excitement of working with my father as he handed off the firm to myself and my sister so he could retire and enjoy seeing his legacy continue while travelling the world with my mother. It was left behind to us, not passed on. My grandfather never got to see his legacy. My father never got to see his legacy.
But the legacy exists. Because of their work, we have worked with over 25,000 people. Multiple generations. Hundreds of new businesses are now fueling the economy. I was awarded the Tax Professional of the Year. A young man received a life-saving kidney donation. Tens of thousands of accountants and tax professionals have received relevant and timely education, helping them pass on savings and security to their thousands of clients. It is because of them that Financial Guardians even exists. They have left a far-reaching and powerful legacy.
Experience Your Legacy
This is me urging you. Plan ahead. Make decisions. Involve your family or friends or those close to you. Hand off your legacy and experience the joy of watching the next generation take on the challenge. And be there so support and encourage them. Remind them they are doing the best they can and that you are proud of them. Hand off your legacy to somebody else who can take your passion and grow it into theirs while you take the time to rest and relax with your loved ones.
Just don’t sit there. At your desk. Until you die.
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