My “why?”
Clients often ask me “Why do you care about farm continuity planning? Why do you do what you do?”
My story is similar to many other farm families. I came from a family of five kids: three boys and two girls. When my father passed away, my siblings and I were left with a large tax bill. One of my brothers and one of my sisters took the cash inheritance and refused to pay my father’s tax liability. So, three of us paid the entire tax bill while the other two took the inheritance money. This split my family in two. The three siblings who paid our father’s tax bill still have supper together regularly. The other two? Well, I presume they have supper together but certainly not with us.
My family’s situation could have been avoided with early continuity planning. My personal experience has fuelled a passion of mine; to help families with their continuity planning to avoid the pain that my family went through.
My approach may be unconventional, because I know what is at stake. I have experienced it. I ask the real questions that get to the heart of farm continuity planning — tough questions like, “What will you leave the next generation? Joy and abundance or misery and debt? Do you even know?”
There is no magic bullet for transitional success. It is a team approach that takes time to execute. Just like farming, it is not simply putting seed in the ground — it is in the preparation. It is the eight months of work before that needs to happen for it to grow successfully. Anyone can plant a seed, but it takes true mastery to make that seed not only grow, but flourish.
You will only do one farm transition. I do one transition per month and have done so for more than a dozen years. As the world gets more and more complex, I strive to simplify and clarify what’s important to you and your family in your succession planning.
My calling allows me to brush shoulders with greatness daily. I am humbled by the fact that I get to meet fascinating Canadian farmers and producers and be a part of their lives. I’ve watched families with young children that grow into teenagers, then into young adults, and so on.
The feeling of creating something new, meaningful and impactful for a farm family to ensure intergenerational continuity is what gets me up in the morning. If I can add deep value to a family, then my calling has been answered. As you are a steward for your farm and your family, I am steward for you. I help you and your family achieve your goals for a smooth and profitable transition from you to the next generation.
Welcome to 33seven.
