Umbrella Managed Systems was business idea number seven for Trent and I. During college we’d walk across Brush Creek on the Plaza for a pitcher of beer at Fred P. Otts every Wednesday. For an hour we’d dream up horrible ideas for businesses we would someday start. A few years later we’d stumble across the idea for Umbrella.
We’ve been at this for 14 years now as 50/50 partners. Ask anyone who’s done this and they will tell you 50/50 is the worst possible way; somebody has got to make the decision when in deadlock. There have been times when we’d go into a room and whoever comes out least bloody got their way! But Trent and I have been fortunate to consistently have our business and life goals aligned together. There have been times when we both bent for each other. It’s not always easy but, we’ve done it deliberately and willingly.
Trent has been encouraging and joining me in my stretch goal to climb all of Colorado’s 14ers. This summer, in year 14 of business, we crossed 14,000 feet at the summits of Castle and Conundrum Peaks together. I’m blessed to have one of the smartest people I know as my business partner but more so a lifelong friend. Thanks for not pushing me off the mountain!
