“ I ’ ve always said that in our work , authenticity is paramount . You cannot do what we do in an inauthentic way – transparency is essential . The authenticity came across initially and in every meeting I had [ with HUB ], including with everyone beyond Darren .”
— Ingrid Merriwether met , he said , “ Hey , before we even get this under way in a business sense , I find it helpful to see : how do we click together ?” That was my first real experience with HUB and it was a good one – as Darren said , we didn ’ t even get around to eating lunch because we were so busy talking and there weren ’ t those awkward moments of silence when you wonder , “ Am I talking to the right people , do they get me , do they get our work ?” It was very fluid , so I was able to check that box .
MEETING OF LIKE MINDS any past partnering experiences with them . I got educated early on because the business broker did a really good job of talking about ways in which there was natural alignment between our companies , and what Darren already mentioned in terms of HUB ’ s approach and structure of investing in communitybased firms and helping them grow , expand and scale , rather than trying to change them to become some homogenous model . That was number one – because I wanted to find a strategic partner who values our independence in our communities and our relationships in our communities as this is obviously critically important to our work .
“ I ’ ve always said that in our work , authenticity is paramount . You cannot do what we do in an inauthentic way – transparency is essential . The authenticity came across initially and in every meeting I had [ with HUB ], including with everyone beyond Darren .”
Then , it was meeting Darren . When we
— Ingrid Merriwether met , he said , “ Hey , before we even get this under way in a business sense , I find it helpful to see : how do we click together ?” That was my first real experience with HUB and it was a good one – as Darren said , we didn ’ t even get around to eating lunch because we were so busy talking and there weren ’ t those awkward moments of silence when you wonder , “ Am I talking to the right people , do they get me , do they get our work ?” It was very fluid , so I was able to check that box .
Then there was the concept of having to accept that , after 27 years of running my own business , I would have to have a “ boss ” – which was really something to reckon with . So , I had to process , “ Well , if I have to have a boss , what do I think of Darren ?” I told him in very candid terms that I would have to check a lot of boxes with him .
Darren : I ’ d have to pass the test , is what she said .
CT : Well , that is important because if you don ’ t have that congruence , then the tension starts to build , and it ends up being a decision that you regret . One of the things that you ’ re talking about , Ingrid , seems to be whether or not you felt that you were being approached in a genuine manner . Because anyone can smooth talk , but can they back up
SUMMER 2024 CONTRACTOR TOOLS - 09