Family Unity and Business Success

Profile on: Frank Schrimsher, co-owner Schrimsher Properties

For the longest time, the Schrimsher brothers – Steve, Frank, and Mike – owners of Schrimsher Properties, were brothers by blood only. That is, they were siblings, but they weren’t really friends. As such, each was trying to make it on his own; pursuing a separate vocation. But within the space of a single year, the brothers were independently drawn to the faith that would band them together, once and for all.

“Our dad said it was the best year of his life,” says Frank. “In the period of about one year, through circumstances that God allowed to happen, each one of us came to realize that we needed to change the way we were living and turn our lives over to Christ.”

Growth in more than one way

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United in faith, the brothers began to grow closer together personally as well, which would be of great benefit to their business. “I think that really provided the only way we could work together,” says Steve. Otherwise, he says he and his brothers were too focused on their own interests. But becoming a Christian opened their eyes to the importance of family and the possibility that God had connected them by blood for a reason.

At the time, all three brothers were involved in their father’s oil and gas exploration business. But during the mid-eighties, prices started to slide, interest rates went up and tax laws changed. The Schrimshers, particularly Steve, began to question the wisdom of continuing in this venture. Steve decided to go to God for direction.

Steve loved the oil and gas industry, but after a week of prayer, he felt God calling them to get out of the oil and gas business, and get into commercial real estate.

Hard decision was the right one

“One thing I’ve learned from my Dad is that many times a hard decision is the right decision,” says Steve.

In this case, that advice proved to be correct. Reformulating their company, the Schrimshers began to focus on acquiring and developing prime commercial land. They began when the land was in its raw state, nothing but pine trees and cow pastures. Then they developed the land to increase its value; adding things like access, sewer and water lines and electricity.

From the beginning, what has set them apart from other developers is their policy of acquiring land through equity financing only, not debt.

“If you don’t do things this way, what happens is you have an interest clock ticking. And if you don’t have sales right away, the lender will end up owning the land, and you’ll end up out of business,” explains Steve.

Successful strategy

Thus far, this strategy had proven immensely successful. The unique gifts each brother possesses makes it seem as if they were born to be in business together. Frank is the details man who looks after everything from government regulations to landscaping. Steve handles finances, including acquiring, selling and leasing land. And Mike is their property manager.

“I could never achieve the amount of success in business that I enjoy if I weren’t partners with my two brothers,” says Frank. “I have flat spots and weaknesses, and so do they. It just so happens that our weaknesses and strengths balance out really well.”

Have you ever considered how faith might help your business? Let Jesus show you how. If you don’t know Jesus, we encourage you to pray the following:

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me be the person You want me to be. Amen.

2 Responses to “Family Unity and Business Success”

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• Barbara Schrimsher says:

  February 20, 2009 at 6:30 am

  I found this on Google today, enjoyed reading it.
  I wonder if your father is Joe Schrimsher? My husband is a nephew of his.

• Joy says:

  November 17, 2010 at 11:01 am

  Can’t you tell by looking at him : ) Joe “Son” is my second cousin. Nice article.
  Please say Hello to Joe, the following poem was written about my Grandmother, Jess, who he will remember.
  Love to all, Joy

  Out of the Blue
  -Joy Stalvey Barefoot

  Driving down the country road,
  I was awakened to an epiphany,
  when there appeared before me
  an old, worn fence post.

  That corner post
  was like my grandmother,
  standing strong and pulling it all together.
  Although the barbs dug in,
  the line cutting deeper into her core,
  ripping and tearing at pieces of her,
  robbing her of the person she was
  and what she meant to be.

  The fence still held.

  Frayed and mended lines
  revealed the stress of holding.
  Rust had eaten away at it,
  but the fence held
  That corner post
  leaned slightly
  bent forward;
  pulling the lines
  closer and closer
  as it leaned,

  but the fence held.