Anchor Advisors turns 20

“Take your victories, whatever they may be, cherish them, use them, but don’t settle for them.” ~ Mia Hamm

Tomorrow is the 20th anniversary of the founding of Anchor Advisors. I’ve been out on my own for two decades now!

What does it mean to make it 20 years?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 20% of private businesses survive into their 20th year. My business has been in business longer than more than 50% of the S&P 500.

When I started Anchor Advisors, Apple had just released the first version of macOS X, Europe didn’t have a centralized currency, There was no LinkedIn, Skype, or Facebook. To make my first business card, I used MS Publisher. When I created my first website in 2004, it was hand-coded; there was no WordPress!

When I look back, I marvel at how much harder it was to do anything!

Am I just blowing my own horn?

I feel a little foolish writing about our 20th anniversary. Who cares? Doesn’t it just mean that you’re old or too stubborn to quit? It feels awkward to blow your own horn, to celebrate milestones like this. Shouldn’t I be more successful after 20 years?

I’m constantly present to my failures. No one has to tell me about my screw-ups. I’m very aware of those.

But my successes are harder to hold onto.

Knowing that about myself, I need to celebrate wins. To remind me about the milestones, the good times, and the successes.

I wonder if that’s not true of you as well — do you celebrate your wins? Do you have someone who’s cheering in your corner?

I didn’t do this alone.

I’m a slow learner, so it took me 4 years to start to get some help. Thankfully I met Sue Kramer, who introduced me to Candy Beauchamp, and Heather McCamey. All three were a big help once I did.

Kathryn Tack was my first coach, and she introduced me to Stacy French Reynolds, who became my first team member!

Over the years, we’ve had more than 15 others who have joined the team, each one bringing their own piece of the puzzle.

I learned something from every one of the over 350 clients we’ve served, and that’s been the real prize. Not just the learnings but also the relationships; seeing companies grow, walking through life’s twists and turns as we work together.

20 years is a long time — but I wouldn’t have spent it any other way!