A time to celebrate. Happy 10th Anniversary Jigsaw
Happy birthday to us. I find it hard to believe that it has been 10 years since my 3rd baby came into existence – Jigsaw Tax. I look back on this anniversary with a mixture of feelings. It has been challenging and rewarding. I have made some great decisions and some bad decisions, and by gosh, I have learned some things along the way. I am both proud of myself and disappointed that I have not achieved the goals I had set from myself 10 years ago. But this journey deserves a moment to reflect and celebrate.
In 2008 I naively took that giant step of purchasing the Goulburn practice from my employer at the time, Hadley Jones. I was newly separated from my first husband and had just started a new relationship with the man who would become my second husband. I had nothing to lose, and everything to gain. This was going to be easy and in 10 years I would be sitting pretty. I would own a house, be able to work flexible hours and have achieved that “work / life” balance we all speak of.
In 2018 I sit here in our rented house having put all my energy and money back into a business that has grown well beyond my expectations. I am exhausted from working exceptionally long hours, and stressed as I consider that the new financial year has arrived and the busy time starts all over again. I have not achieved my goals and that is what makes me understand the challenges of being in business. Just like many of my clients things don’t always go to plan. There have been many sleepless nights and silent tears. Being in business can be a lonely place and only other business owners can truly understand the pressures you face day in, day out.
It isn’t all bad. In 10 years our turnover has grown 4 times since that first year. I now have a business partner and thank Michael Konarzewski for his constant support at running this business. We have changed our name, adding Advisory to Jigsaw Tax as we think that our greatest skill is providing exceptional tax and business advice as well as compliance services. We employ 15 people over 4 locations. We provide our services to around 3000 clients each year and have helped many of our clients to either improve their business or to get themselves out of trouble with the ATO. Of this I am enormously proud.
When I watch our team perform I have noticed that the thing that makes us perform the best and feel most satisfied is ‘service’. When we come up with a solution or get a good result for a client who is having difficulties, collectively we feel a sense of achievement. We are empathetic to our clients. We treat them with respect without judgement and I think this sets us apart from some of the other accountants out there. We don’t always get it right but it is the ‘service’ aspect of the business that makes us tick and gives us the greatest pride. We rank our service ahead of monetary gains and perhaps that is why I haven’t been able to meet my personal goals of financial success.
However, I have managed to keep my family housed, clothed and feed. My sons have been educated and have both gained an understanding of the business world which will stay with them as they move into their careers. I am healthy and happy even if I am not basking in abundant wealth.
I would really like to thank those who have helped me to get to this milestone birthday. My husband Rod, who listens and helps me through the highs and lows with his doses of reality and wisdom, who understands that I do have to put my work first, travel away each week, and sometimes my mind is so full of work that I don’t give him the attention he deserves. My boys, for understanding that I can’t always help out at school or make parent teacher interviews, and for helping along the way when they can. My parents, who have helped me out financially and believed in me when others may not have. My staff, both past and present who have shared the dream and promoted our vision. We work as a team and I couldn’t have done this without each of you. I would like to make special mention of Kay, Deanne and Cassy who have been a part of the Jigsaw team since day 1. My business partner Michael, who has helped me out in countless ways, and to his wife Tara who is so understanding of what we are trying to achieve. Our clients, many of whom have been there for the 10 years with us. Without you we would not exist and your constant support is so appreciated.
This afternoon I am going to take a few moments out from my busy schedule to celebrate. I think I will buy myself a celebratory cocktail and just reflect and enjoy before it all starts again tomorrow. We are not going anywhere and it is onward and upward for us. Here’s to the next 10 years and I shall enjoy looking back on this in 2028 to see what we have achieved.