4/26/24

And just like that, HPI has a new owner and President. 

I didn’t even have to sign anything. Turns out, when someone owns 100% of the shares and WROS is  listed with another name, those shares are transferred upon death to that other named person. “With Right of Survivorship”..

And removing one officer and replacing it with another is just a verbal conversation with the lawyer. 

The company Rob birthed the same year as our marriage, the one he allowed the Lord to grow organically. The one Rob nurtured and protected and prayed over and grew from, now has a new, very shy about stepping into this, inexperienced, trembling leader at its helm.  

I thought I would celebrate but instead I wept. Another chapter closing. 

I had watched a man who never wrote a check or balanced a budget, with absolutely no business owner experience, start a side hustle to supplement his inadequate teaching salary for his growing family. First, just a solo summer job, then adding some seasonal help, to expanding to year round. All while he continued to teach and love on his family. 

To tell you about the myriad of people who worked with Rob would be like opening an international, multigenerational yearbook. Every walk of life, little to no experience, some with a questionable history that just needed a second chance, (or a third or fourth, etc.),some for a start, or an “in between”, or an extra income. Rob pretty much gave everyone who wanted it, an opportunity. He was a gracious boss, who never called himself that. He defended inadequacies and inexperience and found ways to make those up to the customer. He did business “the old fashioned way”, a shake of the hand, no deposits, no payment until 100% satisfaction was achieved. Most of the leads were word of mouth and the loyalty grew. He sold himself first, then the job. You met him, he formed some kind of instant bond and then, the next thing, you’re shaking the hand of your new best friend and saying you would love your new buddy to paint your house. 

It was a phenomenon. 

Rob got up early every morning to pray for our family, his HPI team and his clients. He trusted the Lord with daily provision for each member that wanted to work. He rearranged schedules with the first drop of rain and placed each worker in the best position for that individual- like a conductor orchestrating a symphony. 

I watched this for nearly 43 years, often in frustration, as he would slip away to make some quick adjustments, always coming back with a smile of satisfaction and I would inevitably smile back. Frustration dissipating. 

This company was the provision that allowed me to stay home with my children, to homeschool for 25 years, for our family to take memorable vacations, and our house to expand. It was also the avenue for dozens and dozens of mostly young men but a few women too, to have employment when perhaps no one else would hire them.  For others it gave them opportunity to learn a skill that gave provision for themselves and their families, some as a “jumping off” point and others for a lifetime career. 

And Rob prayed, and praised and forgave, and was patient and kind and loyal. To his customers and to his team. HPI was his baby. His pride. His joy. His gift from God. His ministry. 

And now it’s my responsibility to carry on this legacy. 

And, admittedly, I’m scared. 

In the past three months, on more than one occasion, I have cried out to God-“What are you thinking!”

I have sat in my car between appointments missing Rob so terribly and feeling so inadequate and just crying, knowing I have to wipe away those tears and answer that phone and meet those prospective customers in a professional, positive voice because I have families, that’s right, FAMILIES, depending on HPI for provision. They were loyal to Rob all these years and I want to return that loyalty. 

My faith is weak, but I am willing. And, even now, I too, need the provision of HPI to support me. This is the company that God built and God had used and God will continue to use if I allow Him. I am so grateful to these individuals on this team who loved my husband so completely and now are supporting me unconditionally. They are teaching me a new level of humbleness and dependence on so much more than myself. They are patient and kind and supportive. 

So I may be the new owner and now  “President” of HPI, but I recognize it is nothing without the Lord as my head and this great team around me and our wonderful loyal clients. Thank you all. May I continue to nurture Rob’s “baby” for as long as God allows. 

But I do expect you to play “All Hail the Chief”, when I walk into the room. 

JK. 😉