Anniversaries are Important

Written by Todd Gregory, EVP, Chief Lending Officer of 1st State Bank

Celebrating your business anniversary isn’t just about marking another year on the calendar. It’s a chance to reflect on the journey you’ve taken, the milestones you’ve achieved, and the challenges you’ve overcome.

For 1^st State Bank, April 12^th of each year commemorates the efforts of many, from founding leaders to our present group of dedicated bankers.  In 2024, we celebrate a pride filled, milestone anniversary.  Reaching the 20-year mark signifies two decades of dedication to serving the Great Lakes Bay Region as “the bank for business”.

Anniversaries are a time for celebration, reflection, and looking ahead. They are an opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of your team, the loyalty of your customers, and the support of your community.

Looking back reminds us of where we started and how far we’ve come. It’s a chance to appreciate the journey, the challenges and hurdles, past and present colleagues, the unexpected, the lessons, and most of all, the successes and celebrations, that have shaped us into who we are today.

But anniversaries are also about looking forward. They are a chance to set new goals, dream new dreams, and chart a course for the future. A future that may see the next generation step forward to lead, with new ideas and perspectives.  Anniversaries are an opportunity to reaffirm your commitment to your mission and vision, or possibly pivot in an ever-changing business environment.  To reenergize your team for the road ahead, one that is sure to include orange cones, roadblocks, uneven pavement, straight aways and curves ahead.

So, as 1^st State Bank celebrates our own anniversary, we take a moment to celebrate the anniversaries of all the businesses that make our community great. A community of business diversity, from contractors to healthcare, grand openings to fifth generation longevity, family owned to publicly traded, and sole proprietors to employers of thousands.  A community built on the pillars of past sacrifices and a won’t fail mentality.  Let’s honor the hard work, dedication, and perseverance that have brought us to this point, and let’s look forward with hope and optimism to the next chapter in our journey. Because when we celebrate our anniversaries, we’re not just celebrating a date on the calendar, we’re celebrating the spirit of entrepreneurship, innovation, and community that makes our region thrive.