Dr. Jerry D Bryan
Business Name: Bryan and Strange Companies
Website URL: http://www.bryanandstrange.com
Email address: jbryan@bryanandstrange.com
Year Founded: 1983
Number of Employees: 16
What Does Your Company Do: Accounting, Income Tax Preparation, Full-Service Payroll, Financial Planning for Business and Personal, Management Consulting, and New Business Startups; with an independent insurance agency for property and casualty, both commercial and personal lines, life and health; with investments through Cetera Advisor Networks.
Was there a specific turning point when you realized your business was moving to the next level?:There were 2 points. It took 10 years to have complete confidence I could earn a living and stop updating my resume for possible employment. It took 17 years before all 3 profit centers; (accounting, insurance, and investments) were fully equipped, staffed, and housed in one physical location.
What processes or procedures have you implemented that have helped grow your company?: Having a clear measurable vision is critical. It is like a picture in my mind that I am painting every day. This involves investing in technology and staff training constantly to improve the quality of service to clients. Supporting and caring for the staff, providing flextime, and benefits which include personal use of the facility and equipment, and an on-site child area.
What is most rewarding about running your business? Most rewarding is being given regular opportunities to make a profound improvement in a person’s life. Also, and joined the freedom of being self-employed to make my own decisions and have more control over my time to balance with family.
What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them? Many challenges face every person in business. I think you have to have faith, perseverance, and be willing to trust your employees, vendors, and your family. Learn how to delegate and trust the people delegated to. The key is to empower people to make decisions, praise them for good decisions and support them when things go wrong. Find a mentor and create a team of outside advisors. Keep going when things go awry and don’t make the same mistake again.
If you were starting over today, what would you do differently? Finish all formal education before going into business then never stop pursuing your education. Price services competitively yet comparative to the value the customer is receiving… I have found that most small service businesses undervalue their product.
What advice do you have for other business owners? Think about your goal or problem just before bedtime-the solution or a step towards the solution will normally come to mind by the time you get out of the shower the next morning. Borrow little if no money, save until you can pay for it which includes not beginning business until you have the capital needed. Embrace change and view change as an opportunity. Cash flow is King!
Please list any favorite books, tools or resources (software, website, etc.) you would recommend for others. Creative solutions software for accountants by Thompson Reuters. I also really like Thompson Reuters Checkbook Solutions small business software. It lets us be a partner to our clients in their daily operations.
Phone Slips-messaging/calendar software
FluentCloud phone system
Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice recognition software by Nuance
Entrée Leadership by Dave Ramsey
Seven Steps to a Successful Business Plan by Al Coke
Teams at the Top by Jon R Katzenbach
Servant Leadership by Robert Greenleaf.
Learning to Lead – A workbook on becoming a leader by Warren Bennis and Joan Goldsmith
What is something that people might be surprised to learn about you? Some people are surprised that I do not have an accounting degree. However, I do have an MBA and doctorate of management in organizational leadership along with a CPA that manages our accounting operations.
