March 7, 2024 • 51 mins
In this podcast, Todd Rimer sits down with Jeff Boone to discuss ways to maintain a healthy work-life balance within a family business context while considering the interconnectedness of family and work roles.
Jeff and his wife Lynnette are co-owners of Cowpokes Work & Western. Cowpokes is a full-line work and western outfitters retailer with locations in Anderson and Cloverdale, Indiana, and an e-commerce store. Jeff also owns Jeff Boone Auction & Realty in Markleville, Indiana. Between the two family businesses, Jeff and Lynnette employ over 50 people.
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Episode Transcript
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(00:04):
Welcome to the Up in Your Family Business podcast where we
dive into the heart of family business with intimate
interviews, expert insights, inspirational stories,
valuable resources and practical tips to help grow your
family business.
Our guest for today's Up In Your family Business Podcast is
Jeff Boone.
Good morning.
Good Morning Jeff.
Jeff and his wife Lynette own Cowpokes,
(00:25):
a full line work in western outfitters retailer with
locations in Anderson Indiana and Cloverdale Indiana as
well as Jeff Boone Auction and Realty in Markville Indiana.
Between the two family businesses they employ over 50.
Is that correct?
Their daughter Mackenzie,
their son Gunner and their Son -in -law Caleb are also
(00:45):
active within the family business.
Today Jeff will be sharing his experience and perspectives
concerning a very important topic within family business.
It's the family relationship work -life balance and the
ways to maintain a healthy work life balance within a
family -business context while considering the
(01:06):
interconnectedness of family and work roles.
So again Jeff, good morning and welcome.
Oh thank you, appreciate you having us here.
Appreciate you being here okay.
Let's just jump into the questions.
My first question for you Jeff is how and when did you
first become aware of the importance of maintaining a
healthy work -life balance?
(01:26):
Well that's a challenging question.
I got to dig back deep into my ears here and see I think
that kind of probably started as a child growing up around
my grandfather and his business in the auction business.
He was an auctioneer and he started that business back in
the 50s.
And so when I was born,
(01:47):
I was basically born into the business right away.
I think the very first auction I ever attended was a month
old.
So my mom dragged me over to an auction my grandfather was
having.
And it's always been just second nature to me that we were
in auction business and I kind of watched him day in and
day out really balance what he did.
(02:08):
He tried to make sure that he was spending time with his
wife and with his family and his church and everything that
he felt was important to him and so he he was really good
at balancing things out and I think that was probably
something that I took on early and understood that early
and tried to carry that try to carry,
that through as we began our our businesses.
(02:29):
Interesting man a month old yeah that'll get the senses
going won't it?
I guess so.
Of course you get smacked on the butt and then a month
later you're here under an auction.
There's a lot of rattling in your head.
So you knew it so basically you knew at age one month what
your life's fate was.
Maybe I guess I did.
I don't know.
That's awesome.
Okay we all know that family and work roles are often
(02:51):
intertwined in family business, right?
So how do you navigate,
you and Lynette navigate the challenges of wearing multiple
hats within the family, and the business?
How do how you balance those?
Well I think it's boy you know I I think that every day is
its own day, right?
You just kind of get up and tackle what's ahead of you.
(03:13):
What's on your list, things you gotta get done,
goals that you got to get met, certain timeframes.
And I just think we work really well together in that
respect in terms of,
she can be very focused and driven on her task.
I'm kind the fly by the seat of the pan's kind a guy.
I know what I need to do and I try to get it done and you
(03:34):
know with with a couple different businesses and a lot of
different things that are happening every day we just just
try to as the as a challenge comes that direction just
trying to tackle it then and try to work with our rest of
our family and our crew because we've got such a great crew
I mean you we talked about our immediate family that's
there but you know from day one when we started cowpokes my
(03:55):
mom was involved my grandmother who's not here with us
anymore but my Mom is and she still works with us every
week.
And she's been a real important part of, of just,
just the cowpoke portion of the business,
and then also in the auction business.
It was her dad,
who is my grandfather who started the option business and
so she, again, has been around it all of her life.
And so, she understands that too.
(04:16):
And, uh, she helps us with that.
And you know, I think, you know it's just you know as,
as we all those challenges and those tasks become part of
your day and the week ahead of you and the month ahead of
you because you know some of these events that you have to
don't go to and some these auctions you have coming up you
start preparing for them early right and and delegation I
(04:37):
think is a big part of it you know having a having crew and
a staff that you can trust and you know is going to do a
great job and turning a lot of those tasks over to them in
the past maybe you tried to do them all yourself and then
as things grew and time went by and you began to find these
key people and bring them into your organization that you
you're like okay hey this is something that we're gonna you
(04:59):
know put put on your plate and then you've quickly learned
that you know these people can really do these things in
fact many times they've done way better than you can do and
I think that's probably the key is delegation
okay so building off that I've told you before that I
really one of the stories about you and your family that
really caught my attention and really impressed me years
(05:22):
ago was was that was your ability to recognize that there's
a time to kind of shut things down you know work is work
now it's time for family and I love how you and your family
for the most part since you've had your children all these
years 20 some years you guys meet and I believe today still
meet for dinner almost every day how do you when did that
(05:46):
become important to you and more importantly than that how
is it that you're able to be so busy from the time you wake
up I mean I'm sure it's very demanding with Kyle Pokes and
the auction very very busy so not how do you keep that
commitment to having dinner together every night and how
are you able just to shut things off and let work be behind
you and just focus on your family for the rest of the day
(06:09):
because I know as business owners you we can get sucked
into thinking about business 24 -7 like especially with
today's technology, a lot of us work all the time.
I mean, I find myself trying to get away from it,
but I found myself working evenings and weekends sometimes,
and I need to find that work -life balance.
It's a struggle for me,
which is why I think the subject's so important,
(06:30):
not just for my personal reasons,
but a think a lotta business owners suffer through that.
So again, how do you,
why did you make the decision to make dinner?
That's the thing that we do to keep that balance,
And how do you shut things off and make that transition
into your family after the work's done?
Well, I'll say that I'm To be completely honest.
(06:52):
I am guilty of Really never shutting that business mindset.
Okay, so I think that thing runs.
All right 24 -7 in my head I know it does in Lynette's,
okay But here's what I did realize early on is that we had
the opportunity to get ourselves together,
our family together almost every night, right?
(07:15):
And that's the one time that we can get everybody together
as a group.
We try.
It doesn't always happen,
but nine times out of ten it does, maybe even more.
But it was something that recognized that, hey,
we have this opportunity to get our families together.
So let's make sure it happens, right.
Let's made those plans to get together and have dinner.
(07:35):
we cook a lot the whole family does so we share some of
those tasks and it's an opportunity for us to get together
and just kind of recap on the day you know just see what
what happened here what happen there you know what
experiences did you have what phone calls what
conversations and a lot of it is work -related right and so
(07:56):
We don't necessarily shut it off at the table and then a
Lot of families do that and I think I kind of appreciate
that I see how that would be is very important to a lot of
families but you know because our lives and our businesses
are just entangled together if that's a word but I think it
is you know they're they are entwined but so it's just an
opportunity for us to all kind of get on the same page what
(08:17):
happened to them that day and and so in and basically it
you it really you know reaching out to find out what
bothers you today what happened you and then kind of touch
on things that we need to do in the future and what maybe
some of our goals are, I mean,
that's one of the cool things is that our whole family
shares the same, same common goals.
(08:37):
You know, this is,
these are things that are important to us, you know?
It's our faith, it's, our, it' s our work,
it is our other friends, it are other family.
And so it just a great time for us to be able to all get
together and do that.
And we really appreciate and bless the fact that we have
that opportunity to do so.
If inter tangled is not a word, it should be.
(08:58):
I like an inter tangle.
I'm not sure.
I'll make it up.
That's good.
So did you notice a difference when your kids were younger?
Did you find yourself?
It makes sense now with your children actually officially
being part of them.
They've been just like you were part the auction when
you're a kid.
I'm sure both of your children were a part in the business
for a lot of their life, right?
(09:19):
Okay.
So as far as the family dynamics, have you seen a change?
You know, it's one thing.
You know they're little, they are going through school,
but now they re adults.
Do you see when it comes to the conversations you have at
the table, have those changed much?
Since they've now become adults and officially,
(09:40):
how does that, any change you've seen there?
Well, I think even as children, when they're really young,
we did take the time when they were really to focus on
explaining to them what's important to us,
what makes us as adults as we grow up responsible.
(10:01):
What are the things that we find are important to character
development and growth?
And so, really, those things haven't changed.
We still discuss those all the time.
It's just different levels, right?
And a lot of people say when their children are growing up,
they say, oh, I just hate for them to get any bigger.
(10:21):
I love this.
You know, just love it when they're little.
I always always, like Lynette too,
we always really appreciated the changes in age and growth
to watch them develop into from from children into to
teenagers and then into their they're all in their 20s now
you know Mackenzie and Gunner and Caleb and so it's so cool
(10:42):
to see them turn into young adults that really took those
things that we tried to teach them and put them into there
lives and it makes you really proud to say that they
embraced those those things we try to instill in them and
see them now interact with other adults and to take on
major roles in the business and it makes you proud.
(11:05):
I think about that you know with your businesses I'm
assuming that yours and Lynette's principles your values
your why what you believe in I am assuming those are inter
tangled throughout the businesses right.
So my guess is when you were at the table talking about
business wasn't such a bad thing right because through
(11:25):
those conversations you had,
your kids were learning not just by the business,
but they were probably learning about those values and
principle.
You probably talked about the way business is done,
the the way you approach work.
I'm assuming all those were built into your conversations,
right?
So that was probably actually a very positive experience.
So we can look at it as we're talking about work instead of
life, but again, work life is intertwined, right,
(11:49):
but my guess is your kid learned a lot by hearing those
stories that you and the network sharing at the table I
would guess.
Oh I without a doubt there's no doubt that they did I think
they paid a lot of attention and you know it's and again I
it is just evident today now that we see them you know
involved in our businesses that really did truly take a lot
(12:09):
that information and put it to get used today.
Okay all right so for this next question I have for you it
around conflict now I'm not assuming you have conflict but
I think most people have conflict just on different levels.
I was I read an article recently and an issue of Family
Business Magazine and I just want to read this to you and
(12:32):
says 29% of families report discomfort in discussing
financial topics.
Nearly half of those surveyed reported experiencing family
conflict and 41% saying roles and responsibilities of
family members as the biggest reason for disputes.
So it doesn't sound like you guys are experiencing.
I would love to hear your thoughts on that.
(12:54):
How do you guys talk about now your kids are older?
I'm hearing you guys were the adults.
Now they're adults?
What do those financial discussions look like as it comes
to business?
Is it a pretty open conversation that you have?
And when you do have conflict,
how do you resolve whatever level of conflict that might
(13:15):
be?
Well,
that's one thing we didn't really discuss around our kids
growing up.
We really didnít discuss financing.
We didníst talk about any of that,
any financial issues or troubles.
When we started CalPokes back in 1993,
and weíll probably get a little bit of this here with some
of your other questions, but we start out very cash poor.
You know, we really did not have any operating income.
(13:36):
We did know that we needed it.
So that was a learning curve that you know we had to get
adjusted to and so early on in business it was there was a
lot of challenges and we didn't want to put that weight
onto our children because they were young at the time right
very in fact they weren't even born when we first started
right but but as we we got no further into business we
really didn t discuss that now that they they're adults
(13:58):
really there's nothing off of that off the table you know
it's we pretty much we can we can talk about anything and I
think that is again you know its education it s learning
you it is important for them to see these things that that
we really didn't know about.
We didn t understand that it s everything from your
business finances to your personal finances and those are
(14:20):
things we had to learn sometimes the hard way in business
and now we try to share with those what some of those
hurdles might look like before they have to get to it.
So I think it's important.
Open dialogue is very important and does that cause
conflict?
Not really.
I don t think so.
Just Just just being out there in the open for us all to
(14:42):
discuss Allows us for you know,
there's not the surprises that I think some people run into
You know we being in an auction business now we see so many
times where there are family disputes particularly about
financing finances,
you know about inheritances and and You have different
(15:07):
levels of, I don't know how to say this, but you've got,
it seems like so many times when we're in the business that
we are in,
many time we go into situations where someone passed,
right?
And so there's,
probably going to have to edit this because I'm chopping
this all up.
(15:28):
It's okay.
It is fine.
Basically what we run into are situations where somebody
passed and they have family members that are dealing with
all of this stuff and they're dealing with bank accounts
and mortgages if you have to be paid and all these things
and a lot of times there's no will.
(15:48):
Sometimes there is.
Sometimes,
there are trusts that were set up and don't understand how
all this works and probate and everything else that goes
along with closing out someone's estate.
Is that something that we need to discuss internally as
family members because you know with businesses there's
(16:09):
gonna be secession plans or need to be succession plans
right and so I think that just that open dialogue and
everybody understanding what this thing looks like in the
future is going to eliminate a lot of those disputes and
those problems later on and I think if everyone not only
just people that are small business owners and have family
(16:30):
involved in their business but just just us personally and
you know with our estates and with you know our things that
we think about you know what's going to happen when we're
gone or something should happen to us today or tomorrow or
20 years from now and how's that going affect our children
and is that leaving them a problem behind is that gonna
create family disputes absolutely it can and we see it
(16:53):
happen all the time and it's it' s a shame that that money
can tear our things can just tear families apart and we do
see that happen a lot.
So,
I think preparedness is very important and I that open conversation
is very importantly.
Wonderful.
It doesn't sound like, so you guys don't really,
maybe it's because your kids have been around for so long,
(17:14):
but so, you guys, from what you can say,
don' t really experience conflict within the family
business, within a family?
You know I say I can't say that we don t.
We do.
Yeah,
I mean there's you know it s there s always conflict right
of some degree and And it's, you know, whether it is, hey,
forgot to tell me about that, or, well, yeah,
got a lot on my mind today,
I'm trying to make sure I communicate with you well.
(17:37):
There's that.
There are situations where somebody feels like you dropped
the ball and you try to bring that to their attention,
and sometimes that might aggravate them or get them riled
up a little bit.
But all in all, those are quickly solved,
they might be little small disputes and they And you just,
again, you try to take care of them right now, air it out,
(17:57):
move on.
And that's been something that we've tried to be really
good at doing.
And I think that really helped us a lot.
Yeah.
When I saw those numbers,
I don't know if I was shocked or I just don�t know.
It's unfortunate.
41%.
That's tough.
That�s a big number.
I know, that� 's what I thought too.
(18:17):
My next question for you is balancing quality time with
family and the demands of the business can be challenging.
So how do you we talked about we talk about the dinner,
right?
But that's only one aspect How do ensure?
That the time spent with your family is a top priority
again,
I mentioned earlier We go I mean we can go into any day
(18:38):
right thinking that we're in control of our day I'm gonna
get up.
I'll do this then this than this is and I've shut off There
are a lot of moving parts with people and processes and
things like that.
How would you?
It sounds like you guys have done a great job.
I don't know how you've done it,
and it's fantastic No matter what's going on in the day.
We're having dinner together now that might be at five o
'clock That might Be at seven o clock,
but you're making it happen, But how?
(19:02):
Like I told you I make the mistake of I'm not I Don't
prioritize very well I need to do a better job of balancing
my time.
I Need to have more time for other things I Need To have
More Time for it sounds silly but just for reading I Need,
To Have more Time For Time with Christ I I don't pray as
much as I should.
I'm not reading the Bible as must as should,
and those should be priorities.
(19:23):
It's amazing how much business sometimes can suck you in
because it is important.
Our employees are relying on us to get the job done.
And if we need to work extra time to get to job,
we're gonna do that because we care about our company,
we about employees, we we'll do whatever it takes,
sometimes to a fault.
So as an owner of two businesses in a family,
(19:47):
How how did you manage to how do you managed to say this is
a priority and I know your faith is really strong And so
how you how, do, you make that a,
priority to balance those two,
well that's hard i feel like you Were reading,
my mind because those are all the same things that you you
just said or the, same, things, that are challenges To,
(20:08):
me in everyday life and i think lenette as,
we'll You know Should I read more,
should I be in the Bible more?
Should a pray more.
Yes, try to do a good job at that.
But those are all things that,
I think if you're a business person,
if your a family member, your good father, your brother,
(20:30):
good sister, whatever, you try and pick apart your flaws,
right?
You're always trying to grow, you trying get better.
If we're not noticing these things that are issues with us.
So we feel like our issue is with this, you know.
We're not going to get any better at it, right?
We are not gonna be aware of it.
And so if we're not aware, somebody else probably is.
(20:52):
Where then does come the conflict?
Well,
it comes because you're paying attention to the things that
probably are more important to your family members than you
realize.
And, so I think,
the first awareness is what are some of the things that I
should be doing better and if I think if we're trying to
focus on those things and improve on those,
(21:14):
things then we are going to be better people to the rest of
our family and to our business.
So I think you nailed it by just saying it and saying,
you know, hey,
these are the things I shouldn't be getting better at and
these are things should I be focusing on more.
And so those are how you're going ultimately help your
family,
(21:35):
help your business help that relationship between the two
stay solid and to grow and improve.
We're always told that even though we're supposed to serve
other people take care of other people we need to take care
ourselves.
It's kind of like the thing in the airplane where they say
if you know if your the parent you need to make sure you're
(21:56):
able to breathe because if you can't breathe you get you
protect your child right okay.
So that might be a little bit dramatic,
but my point is is that to be a leader.
I think it's important.
Yes, we need to take care of those around us.
But if we're not, it goes back to that work life balance.
So yes, I mentioned prayer, i mentioned reading the Bible,
(22:20):
things like that.
but there are other areas of self care that I wish I could
do better.
Before we got on here, you mentioned this morning,
you went out, no,
You made sure that you worked out this warning.
Every day I want to work out and And it's one of those
things where it is a priority for me,
and it�s funny the way we use priority.
We say things of priority,
but do we actually live out what our priorities are?
(22:40):
I don't do a good job of self -care with how I eat,
I do consistently work out, you know what I mean?
I consistently have quiet time.
So in addition to those other things we talked about,
how do you prioritize, what does self care mean for you?
And how to you make self care a priority every day?
How do do that?
Well I think the answer to that really is trying to focus
(23:04):
on just having a few minutes to myself and that to me is I
get up I have my little routine every morning when I get it
up and I try to make my way out to the gym which is just
right outside our door and so it's convenient and it is
easy and we talked about earlier you know it eliminates
helps eliminate some of those excuses right and now I do
(23:24):
need to get out there and found that I had some issues
years ago my vocal cords and I spent a lot of time on a
microphone and so I have some polyps that that came up and
then I had to have those removed and during that process I
was I was brought away by the doctors that you know there's
certain things that I need to focus on and and some of that
was the diet and the diet affects your body which affects
(23:46):
other you know certain portions of your by like your vocal
chords for instance which which it was bought to me that
one of the first places that your stress goes in your body
is to the vocal cords because it's tightening.
Seriously.
Wow.
And I had a speech pathologist that told me that and she,
as I was working with her and she said, you know,
(24:07):
hey these are,
here's a couple things I'd like for you to do.
One, if you're sitting foods and coke and things like that,
get that out of your diet.
We don't want that.
You don' need that causing problems with your vocal chords
and then stress is a big issue and so Kind of got that's
when I really dug in said oh, you know what?
I probably should start exercising a little bit more and
(24:28):
trying to relieve some that stress and I found that quickly
it worked It helped me heal up my vocal cords,
which is big portion of my support in my job You know hard
to be an auctioneer if you can't speak.
Yeah,
and there was there were a lot of problems there So we
those have since gone away and not thought you know if I'm
this works so I want to continue to keep doing that and
then what I've found was is that just getting up and
(24:51):
getting some exercise every morning if I can not every
morning but most mornings that you know my stress level
started to drop I was clarity was better my day just went
smoother I felt better you know I feel like there was a
sense of accomplishment right off the bat so even though it
might be sometimes 20 -30 minutes sometimes it's an hour
and 15 or maybe a little bit longer but the most time it is
(25:11):
in that hour range if I could have that time to myself and
kind of kind you clear my mind a little bit.
I don't think about work all that much at that point.
I try not to put my headphones in and roll.
That's kind of my personal self care time.
You know, and then at the tail end of the day,
I tried to kick back and relax a little bed and just just
(25:35):
unwind, you know before we go to bed.
Those are the two things that I've tried do.
And I think it's helped a lot.
I noticed that too.
My father, when I was 16,
had open heart heart surgery or triple bypass and that'll
kind of shake you up when you learn you know the reason he
had that yeah genetics was a part of it but how we ate when
(25:56):
he was growing up he lived on a farm a lot of fatty foods
anyway I've since I was 16 I'm always over my life I'd been
looking for ways to be healthier and you over my I have cut
out certain foods I've have different practices.
It really it what you know we have a team huddle every week
(26:18):
at our company and sometimes I'll share words of wisdom
that I find in a blog or I will share health tips because
there's so much that goes into that balance like work -life
balance to me is not just a thing of time it really is a
lifestyle it's how you live and you know a lot of our
employees have they have kids and they have other demands,
(26:39):
and it can be hard.
And, you know, we don't always talk to us about business.
I mean, so I'll share spiritual stories,
I will share advice on health,
because it all leads to it always to a healthier life
balance, it leads to more productivity.
In the better we feel physically and spiritually and
mentally,
the Better will perform and the better will navigate this
(26:59):
thing called life.
So I think that's really good that you find time for that.
If you don t mind, just give us a glimpse in your life,
what time do you wake up
in the morning all over the board my wife's probably she'll
be laughing when she hears this because sometimes it's in
six o 'clock hours sometimes at seven o clock hour usually
not any later than that you know but sometimes in that six
to seven o oclock hour I want to get myself to where I'm
(27:20):
doing a little bit earlier getting after a a bit earlier
and spend a little more time doing some things like we
talked about reading a little but more because usually what
I find is I I've running all the way the last second yeah
before I need to go out the door and head off so I push it
a No, that's you know,
it's I'm not real super super structured.
Like I said before I'll kind of fly by the seat of my pants
(27:42):
Kind of a guy,
you're not just I would never have guessed that
Because it I mean you don't you were laid back I Mean you
are easy -going But I figured you or just an easy going
laid -back guy who had a very structured you had to because
you have two Businesses you a part of I wouldn't ever have
guess that you would kind fly -by -the -seat.
Yeah.
That's that me Okay,
does that drive Lynette crazy sometimes sometimes
(28:03):
absolutely because she's pretty structured She's
structured.
How about your kids?
Where do they fall?
My daughter, Mackenzie now, extremely structured, she's,
uh, so there's a, you take procrastination.
That word does not exist in her, in our head, no, no.
She attack it.
Here it is.
Let's tack it right now.
It's got to get done.
I'd say, sissy, we've got, you know,
(28:25):
four weeks before that needs to be done,
not doesn't matter.
Let us get it done today.
You know?
That's her.
My son, he's a lot more like me.
You know he's he is definitely more laid -back and fly by
the seat of your pants for sure and that's I don't know
sometimes I feel a little guilty about maybe teaching him
those things but at the same time I really want I really
(28:45):
our family and our friends and and are our extended family
who are employees in the businesses to to have that same
sense of laid backness you right another one in words I
know that exists but you know can you can Can you still
perform your job and do it really well and at a very high
(29:05):
level and yet not completely exhaust yourself with worry?
I don't want our crew to do that.
I just want them to be very efficient in what they do,
be good at what the do and I don�t want to dwell in this
misery of deadlines and just a lot of pressure on them at
(29:29):
all times.
So maybe it's a flaw sometimes that I'm that way.
I know a lot of people,
a lotta businesses are very much more very strict and very
cut and dry.
But I also see and I just because of all the business
owners that i know and employees and other businesses and
their communication outside the business and you hear a lo
(29:50):
those complaints and yo think I don't want to be that,
I don' t want t be t at boss, right?
I don t wanna be tha guy that puts that type of pressure on
his employees,
I want them to come to work and I wanted to enjoy what they
do every day.
And and i hope that they do, you know,
because if you're going to get a lot more productivity out
of somebody that that loves what they're doing,
where they are,
then you are somebody that says this is just a job and a
(30:13):
paycheck.
So we try to try to create that environment and have make
it fun, enjoyable, every day and,
I think the results at the end of the day show that it
works.
That's interesting.
All right,
before we have a couple more questions for you before,
we get to the last one I wanted to ask you going sticking
with your family We've talked a little bit about your kids
(30:37):
have been a part of the business for a long time and they
gradually I'm assuming they at what point did they express
it's one thing to be a Part of business and their younger
at, what age did, they say to you i want to Be a, part,
of this this auction i'd want, to,
be apart of cowpugs because not every it is a shame but Not
every generation is able to pass the business on.
(30:59):
You're very blessed.
I forget the percentages, but I think most business owners,
when they have children,
wanna pass it on to their children.
The fact that both of your children are in the businesses,
that must make you so happy and proud.
I would assume, correct?
Absolutely, yeah, so.
If I said no, we got problems.
Yes, true, that's true.
I probably,
that was probably a dumb question, right?
(31:19):
Sorry about that.
You get it.
Of course you're excited, I bet you don't.
So, but at what point, because I know,
you know I spent a lot of time learning about family
businesses and I knew sometimes kids feel pressure,
this expectation and some kids don't want to be a part of
the business and you got to let them be.
Do you think your kids became part the of business because
(31:41):
there was an expectation or do you just think they
absolutely just love the businesses?
And they knew at a certain age this is what I want do,
I wanna do what mom and dad do.
Well,
I don't know that our kids really had any choice in the
matter.
But I will say this,
as we had children and as they began to grow and having
conversations with other business owners,
so many times I got a lot of advice that was this.
(32:07):
Don't pressure your kids into getting into the business.
Don t make that their only job.
Make them go on, make them to college, live on their own.
make them go and take another job someplace else because
they're not going to appreciate what they have unless they
see how life really is out there in the business world
(32:27):
being an employee you know under someone else's under
someone elses fist basically and I thought about that a lot
nothing that's right probably right it's probably good
advice and and i think it still is and I think for a a
lotta families that has worked and as they've brought their
as they brought their children back into the business after
(32:49):
they went and did something else there is really I think
there's really good evidence that that works really well
and I've seen it work well for people but and for us we
never we've never really encouraged them to do that you
know I mean from the time they were born they were in a car
seat one that's or you know whatever you no bassinet or
(33:11):
whatever you and they or the carseat carried right out of
the truck and thrown into her office yeah and they were
they were in there beside her while she was working in the
office you know and so we would take them to some of the
off -site shows that we would do for cowpokes and you would
make a little break room area and we'd shove them in there
you or sometimes it'd be right behind the counter and then
next thing you they're old enough that they can you know
(33:32):
barely standing on a box looking over the register taking
money and putting it in you in a registered event or a show
or something like that and and or my son was you were
standing behind a hat counter we're shaping hats and he's
doing a little bit of it,
and there's something about a seven -year -old shaping hats
behind a hat counter that catches people's attention.
But they were basically learning the business as they grew
(33:55):
up.
And so I think once we got past a certain point,
and I don't know what that age was,
but probably somewhere in their early teens for sure,
they already expressed, hey,
this is stuff that we want to do.
My son was hey I want to be an auctioneer.
I want to do what you do, dad.
You know, I like it.
Have fun.
And so I mean, the bottom line is we're blessed, right,
(34:15):
you know to have that.
And I know of so many business owners that don't have a
family member coming in to take over what they work so hard
to build.
And sometimes it's multiple generations.
And there's this there is this void and they're going we
have nobody to take over this business.
That's our family.
And I think that's painful to them.
(34:35):
And I'm so glad we are not in that position.
you know as I hear you describe all that thing that really
struck me was you know here we are talking about work -life
balance it sounds like the reason you're able to continue
to maintain that is your kids grew up in the business they
probably share the same values sure see the world you know
a lot of same perspectives you guys share a lot a the a a
(34:57):
of the thing mentalities right so I'm assuming that because
of that,
because you are in same world looking at things the same
way going about your day in similar ways that probably and
again keeping in mind the dinner together it sounds like
you guys are just kind of in step with one another which
probably helps maintain that work -life balance now they're
(35:17):
older right you, guys,
are all kind of living the same lifestyle and even now not
just back then.
Yeah yeah yeah we're we really are and they may disagree
but I feel as if we are all in -step together and I think
it shows you know I I think it shows I mean,
we hear we here customers tell us, you know,
that they see these things that They see the fact that we,
(35:41):
to them,
You know it everything looks like it runs very smooth,
you know from the outside looking in,
and we all know as business owners that that's not always
the case,
sometimes looks like a total train wreck on the inside.
It feels like that.
feels like this.
So you know but I think I think if everybody is in sync and
(36:01):
everybody's you know, following each other's steps.
I think that it does, it does look smooth.
It does work really well.
And that ultimately is what you're after, right?
Is that you want that for us, and we talk about this a lot,
It's about the experience, we want our customers,
is our customer's come into our business or part of our
businesses,
whether it's walking into the cow post for the first time,
(36:23):
or it comes to one of her auctions, that,
at the end of the day that that experience and they can
walk away and say, wow, that was cool, you know, or,
they did a fantastic job.
They did a great job, and they'll compare, right?
They'll compare to other stores,
compared to other auction businesses.
And we, again,
as part of our goal that we try to embed into the kids'
(36:47):
heads and we still talk about to this day all the time,
how do we get better?
How can we be better at everything that we do?
Because ultimately what that's going to do is deliver a
high -end and experience for their customers.
Yeah, yeah, I like that.
Okay, well, work -life balance, big subject,
important subject.
We could probably sit here for hours getting insights and
(37:08):
perspectives from you and still not cover everything,
right?
And you have a lot of different,
there are probably a lotta books and everything and blogs
and every thing written on it,
but I appreciate you sharing your personal experience.
But I've asked you some questions.
Like to give you an opportunity to just speak freely.
So my last question for you would be if you were to give
(37:29):
advice to other Family business owners particularly those
who have children,
maybe What a piece of advice would you give them?
What would say would the best advice?
To maintain or at least approach a family,
you know work -life balance
This probably this probably piece.
Of advice will probably catch a lot of people off -guard
(37:50):
and it's probably not what you normally hear when you're
listening to the podcast or you reading books or you trying
to research the subject right about business but my single
piece of advice is to have God in your life and I'll tell
you why just briefly but if you've got God the center of
your life, and you believe in the things that he says,
(38:16):
if you believed the thing in the Bible,
if you believe that Christ is your savior,
and you begin to develop that faith,
you're going to find that you are going do what God asked
you to do, which is to pray.
Pray about everything.
Worry about nothing.
Prary about anything, right?
There are so many things to worry about in business.
So many, so, many to things worry.
(38:36):
You can worry yourself to death in the business, in fact,
most of the time you probably won't even get started in a
business because you'll be afraid to take that first step.
Be afraid of fail.
Yeah.
And you pray about everything and you ask him turn things
over to him.
Say hey,
give me the guidance You know Help me with these decisions
(38:58):
Help, me, with every aspect of the business and,
you can pray, about, everything you,
want to pray of anything any small detail you know He's
there to listen and You'd be amazed at how,
many of those prayers get answered you'd, be,
amazed how Just with sometimes just within minutes
sometimes it stays sometimes those,
prayers never come true but there's a reason why they
don't, right?
And then soon you start to realize that these are the
(39:19):
things that I should focus on.
And these things I think he wants me to do.
You start living your life in that way.
And if you live your live that that you're going to begin
to live you business that way and things will change just
dramatically and drastically when you accept the fact that
you are not in charge,
there's that ultimate power and there are things he wants
(39:42):
for you and he wants you to be successful and he want you
do well and he wanted you to touch other people and so we
found that that's the one single thing in our lives take
business and set that aside but just our lives in general
that has the biggest impact and it's there's a sense there
(40:04):
is an overwhelming sense of peace that comes with all of
that because you know when it is all said and done it's
gonna be just fine.
It's all gonna work out.
We talk about that all the time.
There's a problem.
What's, okay, there's problem, great.
Okay, fine, let's...it's gonna workout.
They'll be fine." You know,
and you can start your day with prayer, try to do that.
(40:25):
You close your date with prayer.
Try to do,
that but he wants us to address these things during the
day, all at the time and so that's it.
I mean that is the one piece of advice.
If you've got him there,
you know no matter what happens to your business,
You're gonna be fine.
And ultimately you've got that that peace of mind that
there's eternity, right?
And that's where we ultimately are gonna end up and we're
(40:47):
all gonna speak to God at some point So we can do it now or
we could wait and do a later But you know,
that is where peace comes from and that it's gonna help
your business more than anything else
Do you find?
Forgive me.
I just want to ask you a question off that.
Do I do think balance is a mindset,
(41:08):
It's not just a practice, it's a mindset.
Do you feel that your Christ -centered lifestyle,
does that give you a certain level of peace where you're
able to be more discerning and you are able make better
decisions?
You know,
sometimes we can get real emotional and we get really hyped
up and not be as focused and if we start looking at more of
the problem and the solution, do you find that,
(41:30):
do find your faith and finding,
do think that plays a big part in your ability to have that
balance in your life and make those decisions that actually
impact your life in those around you,
would you say that's the case?
100%.
Yeah.
That's, that it has, you know, it, and it's grown, right?
And so, I don't want people to think that, just, boom,
(41:52):
yeah, no, I'm not a believer in tomorrow.
I want to be able to, yes, that happens.
But,
but I think that that our faith grows over a period of time.
And I am so blessed that are that not only Lynette,
but both of our kids and Caleb as well,
Mackenzie's husband, they are very deeply rooted in faith.
(42:13):
In fact, at a much younger age, you know,
they started that at much a younger than I did.
And even though my grandfather was an extremely faithful
man,
that's where it really took a lot of his business ethics
and things because he was strong follower of Christ.
But I probably didn't hold that level of faith in like I do
(42:35):
now.
I know I didn t.
And so it s been a growing learning experience.
So yeah,
it helps me make better decisions that there s less
conflict.
These are directions in my mind that God wants me to go.
(42:56):
And so if he's in control, he is driving this truck.
I'm just along for the ride.
You keep sharing the stuff that makes me want to ask you
another question.
You have to stop giving me these great answers.
I heard you mentioned about your kids have the same faith.
And I think it's true that they share a lot of the values
(43:16):
and principles that you do.
You can't help but in a family business,
and I know this is not directly related to the topic we
have today,
But something you said made me think of the word legacy,
right?
So I just want to just gonna spend a moment on that because
I think it's an important word for family business owners,
especially Yes,
Cal Post is successful and you want that business to
continue auction and everything but you mentioned I Don't
(43:41):
want speak for you.
I'm gonna ask you a question Would you say that that
balance that peace that you have through your faith and
passing that on to your children who now live out that same
faith in that same balance in their life.
Would you say that's your greatest legacy or would you
define it a different way?
(44:02):
I'm just kind of really I hate defining my own legacy.
I hope that hope,
that that is what somebody says about me when I am gone,
right?
So my grandfather when he passed,
we never used the word legacy around him when he was alive
ever I mean that I can think of it was when he passed that
we started using the word legacy and said wow look what
(44:24):
this guy left behind you know he started he started from
nothing as a you know trading livestock and farming you
know long long time ago and he built he went out in his
whole cattle pasture and he he uh started throwing some
gates and old farm equipment out there and next thing you
knew he was having auctions out there and then he conducted
thousands and thousands of auctions during his lifetime and
(44:47):
he touched so many people and I would have people coming up
to me all the time after he passed he said you're not gonna
believe what he did for me you know you wouldn't believe
the things that he did from me and how he led me to Christ
he didn't even realize it you know and How he Touched so
Many People and all of a sudden we were talking about
(45:08):
that's his legacy, right?
That's he was such a positive impact on so many people that
I don't know that.
I'll have that same positive.
Impact.
Hope I do.
But, you know, I would hope that if if you're, if,
kind of looking into the future,
that somebody would say that the legacy was exactly that
(45:28):
that he, he touched a lot of people and he helped them.
And, um,
You know he is a faithful follower and it's something that
I that that person would want to emulate.
That's something, that, person, would, want,
to take and even grow even further.
And I hope that those, those things that we talk about,
bolsters the faith of others.
Gives them the courage to, to maybe do some things,
(45:51):
a little better in their life and then to eventually reach
out and touch more people.
I just think it, I think if we have God in our lives, this,
if everybody did, this world will be an awesome place,
right?
You know, we wouldn't have the crime.
We wouldn t have the divorces.
A lot of the mental stress.
The stress, you know.
We would not have all these problems that we have.
(46:13):
And so when we took it out of the schools,
when took out the government, took God s word out,
the commandments out there, everything went downhill,
and it s just so obvious.
There s tons and tons of evidence out there that shows it
and proves it.
And yet for some reason we don't go back to that and say
here's the fix.
(46:34):
This is it, this is the fix,
This Is the single fix of everything in the world.
But you know it's God's plan and it so we'll ride this
thing out.
Awesome.
It sounds like,
so you don t really think of the word legacy.
You just do your thing every day.
Yeah.
But it does sound like it sounds like your focus on being
(46:57):
just the best man you can be every day.
The best Christian, the best husband, The Best Father,
and the Best Employer.
I mean, you're just trying to...
We're talking about work -life balance here,
so maybe I'm stretching it here.
But it sounds like you wake up every, day just,
how can I be the person that can beat a day?
How can I influence other people?
I can make other peoples' lives better.
(47:17):
And to me,
doing that probably creates a really healthy day and
healthy balance.
Those those are the things that I pray about and now how
good I am at it.
I don't know You know,
I feel like I fail a lot in a while those respects.
I mean, i'm human I make a lotta mistakes.
I'm just saying that that's who I lean on.
That's that who i lean the most and hope that I hope each
(47:41):
day that i make improvement.
Awesome.
Awesome Before we end I want to make sure people are
interested in learning more about some of these businesses
we've talked about You can visit Kyle Pokes at
KylePokesOnline .com That's C -O -W -P -U -K -E -S Online
.Com And you can learn about Jeff Boone Auction really at
JeffBoonAuctions.
Com Jeff,
(48:02):
I'm assuming you're not a LinkedIn guy or anything like
that or a Facebook guy Is there anywhere they can go to
learn more about you personally?
You know, give me a call.
My phone numbers are out there and you could reach me if
someone ever Or is looking for advice,
I'm happy to give it what good it might be in business or
(48:23):
life, whatever it may be.
I love to talk obviously, building relationships,
so I am always open to having discussions and talking with
anybody.
I mean I've got to pray for an open door and a lot of
people know that.
Some people might not, but no I do,
and I enjoy that so reach out no matter what,
(48:43):
send email or give me a call on my cell phone I'll be happy
to talk and pretty cool yeah but I I say it's been been a
real pleasure working with you as well we didn't talk about
element 212 and what you guys have done with with our
business you know the cow pokes in particular and in the
branding and the marketing has been it has a really good
relationship and I really appreciate you bringing me on
(49:04):
here to the podcast I've never done one before it was my
first one so it been fun and and it had been kind of
digging in a little deeper into into my life and and some
of the things with our our family and how they're all
associated so I appreciate you bringing me on.
Appreciate that.
I will say to add on that thank you very much for saying
that I think the reason we started focusing on family
(49:26):
-owned businesses is because we just realized that those
were the clients we enjoy to work with the most we I don't
you know it's interesting we all come from different
backgrounds different generations but one of things I see
in family owned businesses is there seems to be a,
it's strange, no matter what walk of life,
where you came from,
the values and the principles seem to very similar,
(49:48):
why we do what we and we enjoy working with cowpokes.
And one of the things I said to you,
I'd love to have you on for a future podcast,
to talk about how your values, and principles,
and what you believe in,
what stand for are intertwined into your business.
I know cowpoke is more than just selling merchandise,
right?
I knew it was a lifestyle that you're proud of,
Sure that you got into because of a passion and I love but
(50:09):
I you know in working with you all these years It is
evident that cow post is more than just a store There's you
no You could use there's an experience for sure and your
values and principles are felt throughout.
So Love having you as a client Love happening family
businesses as clients because it's just it just more fun
It's easier because we have a common understanding and a
(50:32):
coming belief.
It started.
I'm a cool thing.
That is So yes,
but good you have a good work -life balance.
So if someone does call you You'll have time right?
I'll make it if we're at the very least if you Have to if
he started getting a flooded call,
you can be like Mark Wahlberg and just give it four in the
morning and exercise Six or seven careful now.
Yeah, I didn't care it away.
That's right.
(50:52):
Well, listen Jeff.
Thank you for being on here today Thanks for sharing your
personal perspectives personal experiences personal
insights.
And again,
I've said this multiple times forgive me to those of you
who are listening But I do think this is an extremely
important topic and I think you've you have given us a lot
to think about So, thank you very much Jeff.
Thanks again
Welcome to the Up in Your Family Business podcast where we
dive into the heart of family business with intimate
interviews, expert insights, inspirational stories,
valuable resources and practical tips to help grow your
family business.
Our guest for today's Up In Your family Business Podcast is
Jeff Boone.
Good morning.
Good Morning Jeff.
Jeff and his wife Lynette own Cowpokes,
(00:25):
a full line work in western outfitters retailer with
locations in Anderson Indiana and Cloverdale Indiana as
well as Jeff Boone Auction and Realty in Markville Indiana.
Between the two family businesses they employ over 50.
Is that correct?
Their daughter Mackenzie,
their son Gunner and their Son -in -law Caleb are also
(00:45):
active within the family business.
Today Jeff will be sharing his experience and perspectives
concerning a very important topic within family business.
It's the family relationship work -life balance and the
ways to maintain a healthy work life balance within a
family -business context while considering the
(01:06):
interconnectedness of family and work roles.
So again Jeff, good morning and welcome.
Oh thank you, appreciate you having us here.
Appreciate you being here okay.
Let's just jump into the questions.
My first question for you Jeff is how and when did you
first become aware of the importance of maintaining a
healthy work -life balance?
(01:26):
Well that's a challenging question.
I got to dig back deep into my ears here and see I think
that kind of probably started as a child growing up around
my grandfather and his business in the auction business.
He was an auctioneer and he started that business back in
the 50s.
And so when I was born,
(01:47):
I was basically born into the business right away.
I think the very first auction I ever attended was a month
old.
So my mom dragged me over to an auction my grandfather was
having.
And it's always been just second nature to me that we were
in auction business and I kind of watched him day in and
day out really balance what he did.
(02:08):
He tried to make sure that he was spending time with his
wife and with his family and his church and everything that
he felt was important to him and so he he was really good
at balancing things out and I think that was probably
something that I took on early and understood that early
and tried to carry that try to carry,
that through as we began our our businesses.
(02:29):
Interesting man a month old yeah that'll get the senses
going won't it?
I guess so.
Of course you get smacked on the butt and then a month
later you're here under an auction.
There's a lot of rattling in your head.
So you knew it so basically you knew at age one month what
your life's fate was.
Maybe I guess I did.
I don't know.
That's awesome.
Okay we all know that family and work roles are often
(02:51):
intertwined in family business, right?
So how do you navigate,
you and Lynette navigate the challenges of wearing multiple
hats within the family, and the business?
How do how you balance those?
Well I think it's boy you know I I think that every day is
its own day, right?
You just kind of get up and tackle what's ahead of you.
(03:13):
What's on your list, things you gotta get done,
goals that you got to get met, certain timeframes.
And I just think we work really well together in that
respect in terms of,
she can be very focused and driven on her task.
I'm kind the fly by the seat of the pan's kind a guy.
I know what I need to do and I try to get it done and you
(03:34):
know with with a couple different businesses and a lot of
different things that are happening every day we just just
try to as the as a challenge comes that direction just
trying to tackle it then and try to work with our rest of
our family and our crew because we've got such a great crew
I mean you we talked about our immediate family that's
there but you know from day one when we started cowpokes my
(03:55):
mom was involved my grandmother who's not here with us
anymore but my Mom is and she still works with us every
week.
And she's been a real important part of, of just,
just the cowpoke portion of the business,
and then also in the auction business.
It was her dad,
who is my grandfather who started the option business and
so she, again, has been around it all of her life.
And so, she understands that too.
(04:16):
And, uh, she helps us with that.
And you know, I think, you know it's just you know as,
as we all those challenges and those tasks become part of
your day and the week ahead of you and the month ahead of
you because you know some of these events that you have to
don't go to and some these auctions you have coming up you
start preparing for them early right and and delegation I
(04:37):
think is a big part of it you know having a having crew and
a staff that you can trust and you know is going to do a
great job and turning a lot of those tasks over to them in
the past maybe you tried to do them all yourself and then
as things grew and time went by and you began to find these
key people and bring them into your organization that you
you're like okay hey this is something that we're gonna you
(04:59):
know put put on your plate and then you've quickly learned
that you know these people can really do these things in
fact many times they've done way better than you can do and
I think that's probably the key is delegation
okay so building off that I've told you before that I
really one of the stories about you and your family that
really caught my attention and really impressed me years
(05:22):
ago was was that was your ability to recognize that there's
a time to kind of shut things down you know work is work
now it's time for family and I love how you and your family
for the most part since you've had your children all these
years 20 some years you guys meet and I believe today still
meet for dinner almost every day how do you when did that
(05:46):
become important to you and more importantly than that how
is it that you're able to be so busy from the time you wake
up I mean I'm sure it's very demanding with Kyle Pokes and
the auction very very busy so not how do you keep that
commitment to having dinner together every night and how
are you able just to shut things off and let work be behind
you and just focus on your family for the rest of the day
(06:09):
because I know as business owners you we can get sucked
into thinking about business 24 -7 like especially with
today's technology, a lot of us work all the time.
I mean, I find myself trying to get away from it,
but I found myself working evenings and weekends sometimes,
and I need to find that work -life balance.
It's a struggle for me,
which is why I think the subject's so important,
(06:30):
not just for my personal reasons,
but a think a lotta business owners suffer through that.
So again, how do you,
why did you make the decision to make dinner?
That's the thing that we do to keep that balance,
And how do you shut things off and make that transition
into your family after the work's done?
Well, I'll say that I'm To be completely honest.
(06:52):
I am guilty of Really never shutting that business mindset.
Okay, so I think that thing runs.
All right 24 -7 in my head I know it does in Lynette's,
okay But here's what I did realize early on is that we had
the opportunity to get ourselves together,
our family together almost every night, right?
(07:15):
And that's the one time that we can get everybody together
as a group.
We try.
It doesn't always happen,
but nine times out of ten it does, maybe even more.
But it was something that recognized that, hey,
we have this opportunity to get our families together.
So let's make sure it happens, right.
Let's made those plans to get together and have dinner.
(07:35):
we cook a lot the whole family does so we share some of
those tasks and it's an opportunity for us to get together
and just kind of recap on the day you know just see what
what happened here what happen there you know what
experiences did you have what phone calls what
conversations and a lot of it is work -related right and so
(07:56):
We don't necessarily shut it off at the table and then a
Lot of families do that and I think I kind of appreciate
that I see how that would be is very important to a lot of
families but you know because our lives and our businesses
are just entangled together if that's a word but I think it
is you know they're they are entwined but so it's just an
opportunity for us to all kind of get on the same page what
(08:17):
happened to them that day and and so in and basically it
you it really you know reaching out to find out what
bothers you today what happened you and then kind of touch
on things that we need to do in the future and what maybe
some of our goals are, I mean,
that's one of the cool things is that our whole family
shares the same, same common goals.
(08:37):
You know, this is,
these are things that are important to us, you know?
It's our faith, it's, our, it' s our work,
it is our other friends, it are other family.
And so it just a great time for us to be able to all get
together and do that.
And we really appreciate and bless the fact that we have
that opportunity to do so.
If inter tangled is not a word, it should be.
(08:58):
I like an inter tangle.
I'm not sure.
I'll make it up.
That's good.
So did you notice a difference when your kids were younger?
Did you find yourself?
It makes sense now with your children actually officially
being part of them.
They've been just like you were part the auction when
you're a kid.
I'm sure both of your children were a part in the business
for a lot of their life, right?
(09:19):
Okay.
So as far as the family dynamics, have you seen a change?
You know, it's one thing.
You know they're little, they are going through school,
but now they re adults.
Do you see when it comes to the conversations you have at
the table, have those changed much?
Since they've now become adults and officially,
(09:40):
how does that, any change you've seen there?
Well, I think even as children, when they're really young,
we did take the time when they were really to focus on
explaining to them what's important to us,
what makes us as adults as we grow up responsible.
(10:01):
What are the things that we find are important to character
development and growth?
And so, really, those things haven't changed.
We still discuss those all the time.
It's just different levels, right?
And a lot of people say when their children are growing up,
they say, oh, I just hate for them to get any bigger.
(10:21):
I love this.
You know, just love it when they're little.
I always always, like Lynette too,
we always really appreciated the changes in age and growth
to watch them develop into from from children into to
teenagers and then into their they're all in their 20s now
you know Mackenzie and Gunner and Caleb and so it's so cool
(10:42):
to see them turn into young adults that really took those
things that we tried to teach them and put them into there
lives and it makes you really proud to say that they
embraced those those things we try to instill in them and
see them now interact with other adults and to take on
major roles in the business and it makes you proud.
(11:05):
I think about that you know with your businesses I'm
assuming that yours and Lynette's principles your values
your why what you believe in I am assuming those are inter
tangled throughout the businesses right.
So my guess is when you were at the table talking about
business wasn't such a bad thing right because through
(11:25):
those conversations you had,
your kids were learning not just by the business,
but they were probably learning about those values and
principle.
You probably talked about the way business is done,
the the way you approach work.
I'm assuming all those were built into your conversations,
right?
So that was probably actually a very positive experience.
So we can look at it as we're talking about work instead of
life, but again, work life is intertwined, right,
(11:49):
but my guess is your kid learned a lot by hearing those
stories that you and the network sharing at the table I
would guess.
Oh I without a doubt there's no doubt that they did I think
they paid a lot of attention and you know it's and again I
it is just evident today now that we see them you know
involved in our businesses that really did truly take a lot
(12:09):
that information and put it to get used today.
Okay all right so for this next question I have for you it
around conflict now I'm not assuming you have conflict but
I think most people have conflict just on different levels.
I was I read an article recently and an issue of Family
Business Magazine and I just want to read this to you and
(12:32):
says 29% of families report discomfort in discussing
financial topics.
Nearly half of those surveyed reported experiencing family
conflict and 41% saying roles and responsibilities of
family members as the biggest reason for disputes.
So it doesn't sound like you guys are experiencing.
I would love to hear your thoughts on that.
(12:54):
How do you guys talk about now your kids are older?
I'm hearing you guys were the adults.
Now they're adults?
What do those financial discussions look like as it comes
to business?
Is it a pretty open conversation that you have?
And when you do have conflict,
how do you resolve whatever level of conflict that might
(13:15):
be?
Well,
that's one thing we didn't really discuss around our kids
growing up.
We really didnít discuss financing.
We didníst talk about any of that,
any financial issues or troubles.
When we started CalPokes back in 1993,
and weíll probably get a little bit of this here with some
of your other questions, but we start out very cash poor.
You know, we really did not have any operating income.
(13:36):
We did know that we needed it.
So that was a learning curve that you know we had to get
adjusted to and so early on in business it was there was a
lot of challenges and we didn't want to put that weight
onto our children because they were young at the time right
very in fact they weren't even born when we first started
right but but as we we got no further into business we
really didn t discuss that now that they they're adults
(13:58):
really there's nothing off of that off the table you know
it's we pretty much we can we can talk about anything and I
think that is again you know its education it s learning
you it is important for them to see these things that that
we really didn't know about.
We didn t understand that it s everything from your
business finances to your personal finances and those are
(14:20):
things we had to learn sometimes the hard way in business
and now we try to share with those what some of those
hurdles might look like before they have to get to it.
So I think it's important.
Open dialogue is very important and does that cause
conflict?
Not really.
I don t think so.
Just Just just being out there in the open for us all to
(14:42):
discuss Allows us for you know,
there's not the surprises that I think some people run into
You know we being in an auction business now we see so many
times where there are family disputes particularly about
financing finances,
you know about inheritances and and You have different
(15:07):
levels of, I don't know how to say this, but you've got,
it seems like so many times when we're in the business that
we are in,
many time we go into situations where someone passed,
right?
And so there's,
probably going to have to edit this because I'm chopping
this all up.
(15:28):
It's okay.
It is fine.
Basically what we run into are situations where somebody
passed and they have family members that are dealing with
all of this stuff and they're dealing with bank accounts
and mortgages if you have to be paid and all these things
and a lot of times there's no will.
(15:48):
Sometimes there is.
Sometimes,
there are trusts that were set up and don't understand how
all this works and probate and everything else that goes
along with closing out someone's estate.
Is that something that we need to discuss internally as
family members because you know with businesses there's
(16:09):
gonna be secession plans or need to be succession plans
right and so I think that just that open dialogue and
everybody understanding what this thing looks like in the
future is going to eliminate a lot of those disputes and
those problems later on and I think if everyone not only
just people that are small business owners and have family
(16:30):
involved in their business but just just us personally and
you know with our estates and with you know our things that
we think about you know what's going to happen when we're
gone or something should happen to us today or tomorrow or
20 years from now and how's that going affect our children
and is that leaving them a problem behind is that gonna
create family disputes absolutely it can and we see it
(16:53):
happen all the time and it's it' s a shame that that money
can tear our things can just tear families apart and we do
see that happen a lot.
So,
I think preparedness is very important and I that open conversation
is very importantly.
Wonderful.
It doesn't sound like, so you guys don't really,
maybe it's because your kids have been around for so long,
(17:14):
but so, you guys, from what you can say,
don' t really experience conflict within the family
business, within a family?
You know I say I can't say that we don t.
We do.
Yeah,
I mean there's you know it s there s always conflict right
of some degree and And it's, you know, whether it is, hey,
forgot to tell me about that, or, well, yeah,
got a lot on my mind today,
I'm trying to make sure I communicate with you well.
(17:37):
There's that.
There are situations where somebody feels like you dropped
the ball and you try to bring that to their attention,
and sometimes that might aggravate them or get them riled
up a little bit.
But all in all, those are quickly solved,
they might be little small disputes and they And you just,
again, you try to take care of them right now, air it out,
(17:57):
move on.
And that's been something that we've tried to be really
good at doing.
And I think that really helped us a lot.
Yeah.
When I saw those numbers,
I don't know if I was shocked or I just don�t know.
It's unfortunate.
41%.
That's tough.
That�s a big number.
I know, that� 's what I thought too.
(18:17):
My next question for you is balancing quality time with
family and the demands of the business can be challenging.
So how do you we talked about we talk about the dinner,
right?
But that's only one aspect How do ensure?
That the time spent with your family is a top priority
again,
I mentioned earlier We go I mean we can go into any day
(18:38):
right thinking that we're in control of our day I'm gonna
get up.
I'll do this then this than this is and I've shut off There
are a lot of moving parts with people and processes and
things like that.
How would you?
It sounds like you guys have done a great job.
I don't know how you've done it,
and it's fantastic No matter what's going on in the day.
We're having dinner together now that might be at five o
'clock That might Be at seven o clock,
but you're making it happen, But how?
(19:02):
Like I told you I make the mistake of I'm not I Don't
prioritize very well I need to do a better job of balancing
my time.
I Need to have more time for other things I Need To have
More Time for it sounds silly but just for reading I Need,
To Have more Time For Time with Christ I I don't pray as
much as I should.
I'm not reading the Bible as must as should,
and those should be priorities.
(19:23):
It's amazing how much business sometimes can suck you in
because it is important.
Our employees are relying on us to get the job done.
And if we need to work extra time to get to job,
we're gonna do that because we care about our company,
we about employees, we we'll do whatever it takes,
sometimes to a fault.
So as an owner of two businesses in a family,
(19:47):
How how did you manage to how do you managed to say this is
a priority and I know your faith is really strong And so
how you how, do, you make that a,
priority to balance those two,
well that's hard i feel like you Were reading,
my mind because those are all the same things that you you
just said or the, same, things, that are challenges To,
(20:08):
me in everyday life and i think lenette as,
we'll You know Should I read more,
should I be in the Bible more?
Should a pray more.
Yes, try to do a good job at that.
But those are all things that,
I think if you're a business person,
if your a family member, your good father, your brother,
(20:30):
good sister, whatever, you try and pick apart your flaws,
right?
You're always trying to grow, you trying get better.
If we're not noticing these things that are issues with us.
So we feel like our issue is with this, you know.
We're not going to get any better at it, right?
We are not gonna be aware of it.
And so if we're not aware, somebody else probably is.
(20:52):
Where then does come the conflict?
Well,
it comes because you're paying attention to the things that
probably are more important to your family members than you
realize.
And, so I think,
the first awareness is what are some of the things that I
should be doing better and if I think if we're trying to
focus on those things and improve on those,
(21:14):
things then we are going to be better people to the rest of
our family and to our business.
So I think you nailed it by just saying it and saying,
you know, hey,
these are the things I shouldn't be getting better at and
these are things should I be focusing on more.
And so those are how you're going ultimately help your
family,
(21:35):
help your business help that relationship between the two
stay solid and to grow and improve.
We're always told that even though we're supposed to serve
other people take care of other people we need to take care
ourselves.
It's kind of like the thing in the airplane where they say
if you know if your the parent you need to make sure you're
(21:56):
able to breathe because if you can't breathe you get you
protect your child right okay.
So that might be a little bit dramatic,
but my point is is that to be a leader.
I think it's important.
Yes, we need to take care of those around us.
But if we're not, it goes back to that work life balance.
So yes, I mentioned prayer, i mentioned reading the Bible,
(22:20):
things like that.
but there are other areas of self care that I wish I could
do better.
Before we got on here, you mentioned this morning,
you went out, no,
You made sure that you worked out this warning.
Every day I want to work out and And it's one of those
things where it is a priority for me,
and it�s funny the way we use priority.
We say things of priority,
but do we actually live out what our priorities are?
(22:40):
I don't do a good job of self -care with how I eat,
I do consistently work out, you know what I mean?
I consistently have quiet time.
So in addition to those other things we talked about,
how do you prioritize, what does self care mean for you?
And how to you make self care a priority every day?
How do do that?
Well I think the answer to that really is trying to focus
(23:04):
on just having a few minutes to myself and that to me is I
get up I have my little routine every morning when I get it
up and I try to make my way out to the gym which is just
right outside our door and so it's convenient and it is
easy and we talked about earlier you know it eliminates
helps eliminate some of those excuses right and now I do
(23:24):
need to get out there and found that I had some issues
years ago my vocal cords and I spent a lot of time on a
microphone and so I have some polyps that that came up and
then I had to have those removed and during that process I
was I was brought away by the doctors that you know there's
certain things that I need to focus on and and some of that
was the diet and the diet affects your body which affects
(23:46):
other you know certain portions of your by like your vocal
chords for instance which which it was bought to me that
one of the first places that your stress goes in your body
is to the vocal cords because it's tightening.
Seriously.
Wow.
And I had a speech pathologist that told me that and she,
as I was working with her and she said, you know,
(24:07):
hey these are,
here's a couple things I'd like for you to do.
One, if you're sitting foods and coke and things like that,
get that out of your diet.
We don't want that.
You don' need that causing problems with your vocal chords
and then stress is a big issue and so Kind of got that's
when I really dug in said oh, you know what?
I probably should start exercising a little bit more and
(24:28):
trying to relieve some that stress and I found that quickly
it worked It helped me heal up my vocal cords,
which is big portion of my support in my job You know hard
to be an auctioneer if you can't speak.
Yeah,
and there was there were a lot of problems there So we
those have since gone away and not thought you know if I'm
this works so I want to continue to keep doing that and
then what I've found was is that just getting up and
(24:51):
getting some exercise every morning if I can not every
morning but most mornings that you know my stress level
started to drop I was clarity was better my day just went
smoother I felt better you know I feel like there was a
sense of accomplishment right off the bat so even though it
might be sometimes 20 -30 minutes sometimes it's an hour
and 15 or maybe a little bit longer but the most time it is
(25:11):
in that hour range if I could have that time to myself and
kind of kind you clear my mind a little bit.
I don't think about work all that much at that point.
I try not to put my headphones in and roll.
That's kind of my personal self care time.
You know, and then at the tail end of the day,
I tried to kick back and relax a little bed and just just
(25:35):
unwind, you know before we go to bed.
Those are the two things that I've tried do.
And I think it's helped a lot.
I noticed that too.
My father, when I was 16,
had open heart heart surgery or triple bypass and that'll
kind of shake you up when you learn you know the reason he
had that yeah genetics was a part of it but how we ate when
(25:56):
he was growing up he lived on a farm a lot of fatty foods
anyway I've since I was 16 I'm always over my life I'd been
looking for ways to be healthier and you over my I have cut
out certain foods I've have different practices.
It really it what you know we have a team huddle every week
(26:18):
at our company and sometimes I'll share words of wisdom
that I find in a blog or I will share health tips because
there's so much that goes into that balance like work -life
balance to me is not just a thing of time it really is a
lifestyle it's how you live and you know a lot of our
employees have they have kids and they have other demands,
(26:39):
and it can be hard.
And, you know, we don't always talk to us about business.
I mean, so I'll share spiritual stories,
I will share advice on health,
because it all leads to it always to a healthier life
balance, it leads to more productivity.
In the better we feel physically and spiritually and
mentally,
the Better will perform and the better will navigate this
(26:59):
thing called life.
So I think that's really good that you find time for that.
If you don t mind, just give us a glimpse in your life,
what time do you wake up
in the morning all over the board my wife's probably she'll
be laughing when she hears this because sometimes it's in
six o 'clock hours sometimes at seven o clock hour usually
not any later than that you know but sometimes in that six
to seven o oclock hour I want to get myself to where I'm
(27:20):
doing a little bit earlier getting after a a bit earlier
and spend a little more time doing some things like we
talked about reading a little but more because usually what
I find is I I've running all the way the last second yeah
before I need to go out the door and head off so I push it
a No, that's you know,
it's I'm not real super super structured.
Like I said before I'll kind of fly by the seat of my pants
(27:42):
Kind of a guy,
you're not just I would never have guessed that
Because it I mean you don't you were laid back I Mean you
are easy -going But I figured you or just an easy going
laid -back guy who had a very structured you had to because
you have two Businesses you a part of I wouldn't ever have
guess that you would kind fly -by -the -seat.
Yeah.
That's that me Okay,
does that drive Lynette crazy sometimes sometimes
(28:03):
absolutely because she's pretty structured She's
structured.
How about your kids?
Where do they fall?
My daughter, Mackenzie now, extremely structured, she's,
uh, so there's a, you take procrastination.
That word does not exist in her, in our head, no, no.
She attack it.
Here it is.
Let's tack it right now.
It's got to get done.
I'd say, sissy, we've got, you know,
(28:25):
four weeks before that needs to be done,
not doesn't matter.
Let us get it done today.
You know?
That's her.
My son, he's a lot more like me.
You know he's he is definitely more laid -back and fly by
the seat of your pants for sure and that's I don't know
sometimes I feel a little guilty about maybe teaching him
those things but at the same time I really want I really
(28:45):
our family and our friends and and are our extended family
who are employees in the businesses to to have that same
sense of laid backness you right another one in words I
know that exists but you know can you can Can you still
perform your job and do it really well and at a very high
(29:05):
level and yet not completely exhaust yourself with worry?
I don't want our crew to do that.
I just want them to be very efficient in what they do,
be good at what the do and I don�t want to dwell in this
misery of deadlines and just a lot of pressure on them at
(29:29):
all times.
So maybe it's a flaw sometimes that I'm that way.
I know a lot of people,
a lotta businesses are very much more very strict and very
cut and dry.
But I also see and I just because of all the business
owners that i know and employees and other businesses and
their communication outside the business and you hear a lo
(29:50):
those complaints and yo think I don't want to be that,
I don' t want t be t at boss, right?
I don t wanna be tha guy that puts that type of pressure on
his employees,
I want them to come to work and I wanted to enjoy what they
do every day.
And and i hope that they do, you know,
because if you're going to get a lot more productivity out
of somebody that that loves what they're doing,
where they are,
then you are somebody that says this is just a job and a
(30:13):
paycheck.
So we try to try to create that environment and have make
it fun, enjoyable, every day and,
I think the results at the end of the day show that it
works.
That's interesting.
All right,
before we have a couple more questions for you before,
we get to the last one I wanted to ask you going sticking
with your family We've talked a little bit about your kids
(30:37):
have been a part of the business for a long time and they
gradually I'm assuming they at what point did they express
it's one thing to be a Part of business and their younger
at, what age did, they say to you i want to Be a, part,
of this this auction i'd want, to,
be apart of cowpugs because not every it is a shame but Not
every generation is able to pass the business on.
(30:59):
You're very blessed.
I forget the percentages, but I think most business owners,
when they have children,
wanna pass it on to their children.
The fact that both of your children are in the businesses,
that must make you so happy and proud.
I would assume, correct?
Absolutely, yeah, so.
If I said no, we got problems.
Yes, true, that's true.
I probably,
that was probably a dumb question, right?
(31:19):
Sorry about that.
You get it.
Of course you're excited, I bet you don't.
So, but at what point, because I know,
you know I spent a lot of time learning about family
businesses and I knew sometimes kids feel pressure,
this expectation and some kids don't want to be a part of
the business and you got to let them be.
Do you think your kids became part the of business because
(31:41):
there was an expectation or do you just think they
absolutely just love the businesses?
And they knew at a certain age this is what I want do,
I wanna do what mom and dad do.
Well,
I don't know that our kids really had any choice in the
matter.
But I will say this,
as we had children and as they began to grow and having
conversations with other business owners,
so many times I got a lot of advice that was this.
(32:07):
Don't pressure your kids into getting into the business.
Don t make that their only job.
Make them go on, make them to college, live on their own.
make them go and take another job someplace else because
they're not going to appreciate what they have unless they
see how life really is out there in the business world
(32:27):
being an employee you know under someone else's under
someone elses fist basically and I thought about that a lot
nothing that's right probably right it's probably good
advice and and i think it still is and I think for a a
lotta families that has worked and as they've brought their
as they brought their children back into the business after
(32:49):
they went and did something else there is really I think
there's really good evidence that that works really well
and I've seen it work well for people but and for us we
never we've never really encouraged them to do that you
know I mean from the time they were born they were in a car
seat one that's or you know whatever you no bassinet or
(33:11):
whatever you and they or the carseat carried right out of
the truck and thrown into her office yeah and they were
they were in there beside her while she was working in the
office you know and so we would take them to some of the
off -site shows that we would do for cowpokes and you would
make a little break room area and we'd shove them in there
you or sometimes it'd be right behind the counter and then
next thing you they're old enough that they can you know
(33:32):
barely standing on a box looking over the register taking
money and putting it in you in a registered event or a show
or something like that and and or my son was you were
standing behind a hat counter we're shaping hats and he's
doing a little bit of it,
and there's something about a seven -year -old shaping hats
behind a hat counter that catches people's attention.
But they were basically learning the business as they grew
(33:55):
up.
And so I think once we got past a certain point,
and I don't know what that age was,
but probably somewhere in their early teens for sure,
they already expressed, hey,
this is stuff that we want to do.
My son was hey I want to be an auctioneer.
I want to do what you do, dad.
You know, I like it.
Have fun.
And so I mean, the bottom line is we're blessed, right,
(34:15):
you know to have that.
And I know of so many business owners that don't have a
family member coming in to take over what they work so hard
to build.
And sometimes it's multiple generations.
And there's this there is this void and they're going we
have nobody to take over this business.
That's our family.
And I think that's painful to them.
(34:35):
And I'm so glad we are not in that position.
you know as I hear you describe all that thing that really
struck me was you know here we are talking about work -life
balance it sounds like the reason you're able to continue
to maintain that is your kids grew up in the business they
probably share the same values sure see the world you know
a lot of same perspectives you guys share a lot a the a a
(34:57):
of the thing mentalities right so I'm assuming that because
of that,
because you are in same world looking at things the same
way going about your day in similar ways that probably and
again keeping in mind the dinner together it sounds like
you guys are just kind of in step with one another which
probably helps maintain that work -life balance now they're
(35:17):
older right you, guys,
are all kind of living the same lifestyle and even now not
just back then.
Yeah yeah yeah we're we really are and they may disagree
but I feel as if we are all in -step together and I think
it shows you know I I think it shows I mean,
we hear we here customers tell us, you know,
that they see these things that They see the fact that we,
(35:41):
to them,
You know it everything looks like it runs very smooth,
you know from the outside looking in,
and we all know as business owners that that's not always
the case,
sometimes looks like a total train wreck on the inside.
It feels like that.
feels like this.
So you know but I think I think if everybody is in sync and
(36:01):
everybody's you know, following each other's steps.
I think that it does, it does look smooth.
It does work really well.
And that ultimately is what you're after, right?
Is that you want that for us, and we talk about this a lot,
It's about the experience, we want our customers,
is our customer's come into our business or part of our
businesses,
whether it's walking into the cow post for the first time,
(36:23):
or it comes to one of her auctions, that,
at the end of the day that that experience and they can
walk away and say, wow, that was cool, you know, or,
they did a fantastic job.
They did a great job, and they'll compare, right?
They'll compare to other stores,
compared to other auction businesses.
And we, again,
as part of our goal that we try to embed into the kids'
(36:47):
heads and we still talk about to this day all the time,
how do we get better?
How can we be better at everything that we do?
Because ultimately what that's going to do is deliver a
high -end and experience for their customers.
Yeah, yeah, I like that.
Okay, well, work -life balance, big subject,
important subject.
We could probably sit here for hours getting insights and
(37:08):
perspectives from you and still not cover everything,
right?
And you have a lot of different,
there are probably a lotta books and everything and blogs
and every thing written on it,
but I appreciate you sharing your personal experience.
But I've asked you some questions.
Like to give you an opportunity to just speak freely.
So my last question for you would be if you were to give
(37:29):
advice to other Family business owners particularly those
who have children,
maybe What a piece of advice would you give them?
What would say would the best advice?
To maintain or at least approach a family,
you know work -life balance
This probably this probably piece.
Of advice will probably catch a lot of people off -guard
(37:50):
and it's probably not what you normally hear when you're
listening to the podcast or you reading books or you trying
to research the subject right about business but my single
piece of advice is to have God in your life and I'll tell
you why just briefly but if you've got God the center of
your life, and you believe in the things that he says,
(38:16):
if you believed the thing in the Bible,
if you believe that Christ is your savior,
and you begin to develop that faith,
you're going to find that you are going do what God asked
you to do, which is to pray.
Pray about everything.
Worry about nothing.
Prary about anything, right?
There are so many things to worry about in business.
So many, so, many to things worry.
(38:36):
You can worry yourself to death in the business, in fact,
most of the time you probably won't even get started in a
business because you'll be afraid to take that first step.
Be afraid of fail.
Yeah.
And you pray about everything and you ask him turn things
over to him.
Say hey,
give me the guidance You know Help me with these decisions
(38:58):
Help, me, with every aspect of the business and,
you can pray, about, everything you,
want to pray of anything any small detail you know He's
there to listen and You'd be amazed at how,
many of those prayers get answered you'd, be,
amazed how Just with sometimes just within minutes
sometimes it stays sometimes those,
prayers never come true but there's a reason why they
don't, right?
And then soon you start to realize that these are the
(39:19):
things that I should focus on.
And these things I think he wants me to do.
You start living your life in that way.
And if you live your live that that you're going to begin
to live you business that way and things will change just
dramatically and drastically when you accept the fact that
you are not in charge,
there's that ultimate power and there are things he wants
(39:42):
for you and he wants you to be successful and he want you
do well and he wanted you to touch other people and so we
found that that's the one single thing in our lives take
business and set that aside but just our lives in general
that has the biggest impact and it's there's a sense there
(40:04):
is an overwhelming sense of peace that comes with all of
that because you know when it is all said and done it's
gonna be just fine.
It's all gonna work out.
We talk about that all the time.
There's a problem.
What's, okay, there's problem, great.
Okay, fine, let's...it's gonna workout.
They'll be fine." You know,
and you can start your day with prayer, try to do that.
(40:25):
You close your date with prayer.
Try to do,
that but he wants us to address these things during the
day, all at the time and so that's it.
I mean that is the one piece of advice.
If you've got him there,
you know no matter what happens to your business,
You're gonna be fine.
And ultimately you've got that that peace of mind that
there's eternity, right?
And that's where we ultimately are gonna end up and we're
(40:47):
all gonna speak to God at some point So we can do it now or
we could wait and do a later But you know,
that is where peace comes from and that it's gonna help
your business more than anything else
Do you find?
Forgive me.
I just want to ask you a question off that.
Do I do think balance is a mindset,
(41:08):
It's not just a practice, it's a mindset.
Do you feel that your Christ -centered lifestyle,
does that give you a certain level of peace where you're
able to be more discerning and you are able make better
decisions?
You know,
sometimes we can get real emotional and we get really hyped
up and not be as focused and if we start looking at more of
the problem and the solution, do you find that,
(41:30):
do find your faith and finding,
do think that plays a big part in your ability to have that
balance in your life and make those decisions that actually
impact your life in those around you,
would you say that's the case?
100%.
Yeah.
That's, that it has, you know, it, and it's grown, right?
And so, I don't want people to think that, just, boom,
(41:52):
yeah, no, I'm not a believer in tomorrow.
I want to be able to, yes, that happens.
But,
but I think that that our faith grows over a period of time.
And I am so blessed that are that not only Lynette,
but both of our kids and Caleb as well,
Mackenzie's husband, they are very deeply rooted in faith.
(42:13):
In fact, at a much younger age, you know,
they started that at much a younger than I did.
And even though my grandfather was an extremely faithful
man,
that's where it really took a lot of his business ethics
and things because he was strong follower of Christ.
But I probably didn't hold that level of faith in like I do
(42:35):
now.
I know I didn t.
And so it s been a growing learning experience.
So yeah,
it helps me make better decisions that there s less
conflict.
These are directions in my mind that God wants me to go.
(42:56):
And so if he's in control, he is driving this truck.
I'm just along for the ride.
You keep sharing the stuff that makes me want to ask you
another question.
You have to stop giving me these great answers.
I heard you mentioned about your kids have the same faith.
And I think it's true that they share a lot of the values
(43:16):
and principles that you do.
You can't help but in a family business,
and I know this is not directly related to the topic we
have today,
But something you said made me think of the word legacy,
right?
So I just want to just gonna spend a moment on that because
I think it's an important word for family business owners,
especially Yes,
Cal Post is successful and you want that business to
continue auction and everything but you mentioned I Don't
(43:41):
want speak for you.
I'm gonna ask you a question Would you say that that
balance that peace that you have through your faith and
passing that on to your children who now live out that same
faith in that same balance in their life.
Would you say that's your greatest legacy or would you
define it a different way?
(44:02):
I'm just kind of really I hate defining my own legacy.
I hope that hope,
that that is what somebody says about me when I am gone,
right?
So my grandfather when he passed,
we never used the word legacy around him when he was alive
ever I mean that I can think of it was when he passed that
we started using the word legacy and said wow look what
(44:24):
this guy left behind you know he started he started from
nothing as a you know trading livestock and farming you
know long long time ago and he built he went out in his
whole cattle pasture and he he uh started throwing some
gates and old farm equipment out there and next thing you
knew he was having auctions out there and then he conducted
thousands and thousands of auctions during his lifetime and
(44:47):
he touched so many people and I would have people coming up
to me all the time after he passed he said you're not gonna
believe what he did for me you know you wouldn't believe
the things that he did from me and how he led me to Christ
he didn't even realize it you know and How he Touched so
Many People and all of a sudden we were talking about
(45:08):
that's his legacy, right?
That's he was such a positive impact on so many people that
I don't know that.
I'll have that same positive.
Impact.
Hope I do.
But, you know, I would hope that if if you're, if,
kind of looking into the future,
that somebody would say that the legacy was exactly that
(45:28):
that he, he touched a lot of people and he helped them.
And, um,
You know he is a faithful follower and it's something that
I that that person would want to emulate.
That's something, that, person, would, want,
to take and even grow even further.
And I hope that those, those things that we talk about,
bolsters the faith of others.
Gives them the courage to, to maybe do some things,
(45:51):
a little better in their life and then to eventually reach
out and touch more people.
I just think it, I think if we have God in our lives, this,
if everybody did, this world will be an awesome place,
right?
You know, we wouldn't have the crime.
We wouldn t have the divorces.
A lot of the mental stress.
The stress, you know.
We would not have all these problems that we have.
(46:13):
And so when we took it out of the schools,
when took out the government, took God s word out,
the commandments out there, everything went downhill,
and it s just so obvious.
There s tons and tons of evidence out there that shows it
and proves it.
And yet for some reason we don't go back to that and say
here's the fix.
(46:34):
This is it, this is the fix,
This Is the single fix of everything in the world.
But you know it's God's plan and it so we'll ride this
thing out.
Awesome.
It sounds like,
so you don t really think of the word legacy.
You just do your thing every day.
Yeah.
But it does sound like it sounds like your focus on being
(46:57):
just the best man you can be every day.
The best Christian, the best husband, The Best Father,
and the Best Employer.
I mean, you're just trying to...
We're talking about work -life balance here,
so maybe I'm stretching it here.
But it sounds like you wake up every, day just,
how can I be the person that can beat a day?
How can I influence other people?
I can make other peoples' lives better.
(47:17):
And to me,
doing that probably creates a really healthy day and
healthy balance.
Those those are the things that I pray about and now how
good I am at it.
I don't know You know,
I feel like I fail a lot in a while those respects.
I mean, i'm human I make a lotta mistakes.
I'm just saying that that's who I lean on.
That's that who i lean the most and hope that I hope each
(47:41):
day that i make improvement.
Awesome.
Awesome Before we end I want to make sure people are
interested in learning more about some of these businesses
we've talked about You can visit Kyle Pokes at
KylePokesOnline .com That's C -O -W -P -U -K -E -S Online
.Com And you can learn about Jeff Boone Auction really at
JeffBoonAuctions.
Com Jeff,
(48:02):
I'm assuming you're not a LinkedIn guy or anything like
that or a Facebook guy Is there anywhere they can go to
learn more about you personally?
You know, give me a call.
My phone numbers are out there and you could reach me if
someone ever Or is looking for advice,
I'm happy to give it what good it might be in business or
(48:23):
life, whatever it may be.
I love to talk obviously, building relationships,
so I am always open to having discussions and talking with
anybody.
I mean I've got to pray for an open door and a lot of
people know that.
Some people might not, but no I do,
and I enjoy that so reach out no matter what,
(48:43):
send email or give me a call on my cell phone I'll be happy
to talk and pretty cool yeah but I I say it's been been a
real pleasure working with you as well we didn't talk about
element 212 and what you guys have done with with our
business you know the cow pokes in particular and in the
branding and the marketing has been it has a really good
relationship and I really appreciate you bringing me on
(49:04):
here to the podcast I've never done one before it was my
first one so it been fun and and it had been kind of
digging in a little deeper into into my life and and some
of the things with our our family and how they're all
associated so I appreciate you bringing me on.
Appreciate that.
I will say to add on that thank you very much for saying
that I think the reason we started focusing on family
(49:26):
-owned businesses is because we just realized that those
were the clients we enjoy to work with the most we I don't
you know it's interesting we all come from different
backgrounds different generations but one of things I see
in family owned businesses is there seems to be a,
it's strange, no matter what walk of life,
where you came from,
the values and the principles seem to very similar,
(49:48):
why we do what we and we enjoy working with cowpokes.
And one of the things I said to you,
I'd love to have you on for a future podcast,
to talk about how your values, and principles,
and what you believe in,
what stand for are intertwined into your business.
I know cowpoke is more than just selling merchandise,
right?
I knew it was a lifestyle that you're proud of,
Sure that you got into because of a passion and I love but
(50:09):
I you know in working with you all these years It is
evident that cow post is more than just a store There's you
no You could use there's an experience for sure and your
values and principles are felt throughout.
So Love having you as a client Love happening family
businesses as clients because it's just it just more fun
It's easier because we have a common understanding and a
(50:32):
coming belief.
It started.
I'm a cool thing.
That is So yes,
but good you have a good work -life balance.
So if someone does call you You'll have time right?
I'll make it if we're at the very least if you Have to if
he started getting a flooded call,
you can be like Mark Wahlberg and just give it four in the
morning and exercise Six or seven careful now.
Yeah, I didn't care it away.
That's right.
(50:52):
Well, listen Jeff.
Thank you for being on here today Thanks for sharing your
personal perspectives personal experiences personal
insights.
And again,
I've said this multiple times forgive me to those of you
who are listening But I do think this is an extremely
important topic and I think you've you have given us a lot
to think about So, thank you very much Jeff.
Thanks again
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