The Beginning

It was set in motion with a late eventing phone call in February 1993.  After introductions, the pitch was launched, 'I understand you may be interested in buying a management company'.  Truth be told, I was.  the entrepreneurial bug had bit, I was growing restless at my current company and wanted a change.  So I listened.

The caller and his wife owned a small six-community firm and wanted to exit the industry.  While talking I excitedly walked through the house, where I saw Carol, my wife and now business partner, listening on the extension.  She was shaking her head 'No', which was understandable.  A year and a half married, just into our first home, up next, kids.  And what did we know about running a business?  But I listened - intently.

A meeting was arranged for that weekend.  The terms were reasonable, a low down payment, with the balance owner financed and their long-term support.  For me it was a 'go', however, this would be life altering.  So we were cautious and consulted with other business owners, a CPA, family and the like.  All indications were that this was a good deal.  It was something I wanted and Carol knew it.  So we embarked on a contract.

Soon the sellers informed their Boards of the sale and what the plan was.  Word reached me that one client was seeking bids from other firms - worried about being managed by a 'one-man' operation.  Who could blame them, but could we survive without the revenue?  On the offensive we went, meeting with all the boards to assure them all would be okay and that we knew what we were doing...yeah right.

On Monday, April 5, 1993, the doors opened to Charleston Management Corporation.  I was excited, headstrong and green (to dumb to know better).  One desk, one chair, one DOS computer, one pin fed printer, one typewriter (for check writing), one phone, one desktop copier and one employee, me.  Fortunately Carol had Thursdays off and came in to help, which thankfully broke up the monotony of working alone.

The next month the one client did give notice, taking twenty-eight percent of our revenue.  But we were determined and by July we had picked up our first new client, which we still manage to this day.  The miracles continued.

A lot has changed in fifteen years - most notably the employee count, eighteen, the client count, one hundred seventy-five, and most of all my hairline.

THANK YOU to all who have supported Charleston, Carol and myself over the past fifteen years!  We certainly did not do this alone.

Brian Wessler