Before Fulling Management & Accounting, I was working way too many hours at a local CPA firm. I'd convinced myself I was building something for my family. Then my body said, "That's enough!" and I ended up in a hospital bed.
Our daughters were 3 and 5. I had been so busy providing for our family that I was missing out spending time with them.
I'd love to say I had a bold, visionary plan in that hospital bed. I didn't. I was tired and humbled, and a little scared.
But a few weeks after I got out, a trusted friend sat across from me and said, "I can't believe you haven't started your own company."
Just one sentence from a friend. That's all it took for me to think, "Hey... maybe I could."
So on April 1, 2000, I launched with three little clients and a whole lot of "I hope this works."
Here's the part that still makes me smile. One of those three little clients is still one of our biggest clients today.
A few lessons along the way were:
🔹 Chaos isn't always the end of your story. Sometimes it's the opening chapter.
🔹 Never underestimate the power of speaking affirming words to someone. You may be the "one sentence" they've been waiting for.
🔹 The best things in business and in life grow out of trusted relationships.
That's why Fulling Management & Accounting exists. We help business leaders Get Clarity, Grow Profits, and Gain Peace of Mind, ideally before a hospital bed gets involved.
Want the whole story? Nicole and I dig into chaos, leadership, and what keeps a business (and a leader) healthy on the New Perspective podcast. Listen to the full interview here:
https://www.rustyfulling.com/shows/new-perspective