When Ryder and I founded Tripepi Smith in 2002, we had no idea it would grow to be the firm it is today. At the time, I was working as an independent accountant, and Ryder as a technology consultant. Over the next few years, life pulled us in other directions. We became parents, I worked less and Ryder took a full-time job with a technology startup.
Fast forward to 2009, and with the crash of the economy, a mortgage and a child, we decided it was time to take charge of our own careers. We wanted to grow Tripepi Smith into something greater. Most people wouldn’t choose the middle of a recession to grow a business, but we had an idea and we knew it was a good one. We wanted to shift our focus to local government, a sector we were both interested in and excited to explore.
As anyone who has built a business from the ground up knows, success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a lot of time, hard work and dedication. But most importantly, it takes people who believe in you–that’s where you and our teammates enter the picture.
It has been nearly a decade since we rebooted Tripepi Smith, and with the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, we find ourselves incredibly thankful for the clients and colleagues who have helped make Tripepi Smith what it is today. So many of you have played a part in our success, whether it was trusting us in the early days (thank you, CCMF, Placentia and MuniServices/Avenu Insights & Analytics), introducing us to someone you knew or just telling others about us. For all this and more, we thank you.
Thank you for believing in us. Thank you for asking us to help engage your residents, photograph/film your special events, spread good news in your communities and help communicate your vision. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your partner. Our decision to dive deep into local government was serendipitous and entertains us every day. As we celebrate this Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends, please know that our team respects and appreciates the trust you have placed in us, and we work every day to maintain it.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Nicole