My dad had his best client for 60 years

How do you keep a client for 60 years?

Here’s how. My dad was a real estate lawyer who truly cared about the success of his clients, and they knew it. He learned about investing in Real Estate from them and did well. It was a reciprocal relationship and one of friendship and camaraderie. They invested in things together. They were inclusive and wanted him to do well. They grew together and became successful together. There were even fishing trips involved. It was a true partnership that evolved to be a lifelong friendship.

Master Connector

My dad is a networking master. My dad knows everyone everywhere. He’s a likable guy, and he met so many people along the way who wanted to help him when he needed it. He wanted a particular tenant for his building, and he networked with everyone he knew until he got the right connection. He was friends with many politicians and learned how to make things happen for his clients. He’d leave no stone unturned to make things happen.

Story Teller

It’s captivating to listen to him, full of life and good humor at 92. Even though we’ve heard the stories 50 times, we still love to listen. I tell my kids to pay careful attention. The stuff he talks about is gold: how to meet people, build relationships, and make things happen in business. When my son began his Instagram venture, he asked my dad for advice, and he said, “I don’t know what Instagram is, but I’m sure I know a guy who can help”

How do we get back to this level of caring?

Today it’s hard to speak to a live person on the phone. Everyone is agressively selling and pushing stuff at you. I spend part of my time in a small town now and see good old-fashioned caring around there. They know my name when I go into a shop and often remember what I purchase. They appreciate my business, and I want them to do well and prosper. It’s not about getting the cheapest deal. It’s about supporting the community and helping everyone to thrive. What would the world be like if the agenda in business and politics was that everyone thrives? We’ve got a long way to go, and I know that many young people are so discouraged about the state of the world and their future. How did we go so far off the rails?

Modeling after my dad

People tell me I get the connector ability from my dad. They make fun of me that I can go to a new city and have 5 new friends within a week. I have clients all over the world and most are friends. I want to see them thrive. We know about each other’s kids and aging parents. They ask when my parents will go to Floriday for the winter. We care about each other. We have grown together and partnered on things where we both win. Their businesses continue to grow and thrive, and it makes me happy. So, I’m doing my best to do business as I learned from my dad. Of course, in his day marketing meant lunch or a hockey game but to be honest, that probably did a lot more than all the posts, emails, and other stuff we do today.