I come from a family of many who love the outdoors and, in particular, anything involving water. Be it ocean, lake, or stream, generations in my family have found a tremendous amount of joy in time spent on, in, or around water. We all learned to swim at an early age and spent countless summers canoeing, sailing, and swimming in many beautiful waters. Our lessons in these skills were not always easy as young children, but they are not something I would ever trade. This is why the proverb, “A smooth sea never made a skillful mariner,” appeals to me.

I’ve learned through the years that we discover much more on our journey when we venture away from the calm waters. Staying within our comfort zone often seems easy, yet I’ve come to appreciate the rough seas and to view them as opportunities to learn more about myself and to continue to grow.

In business and in our personal lives, determination and perseverance through times of challenge are what truly carry us through the rough patches and on to smoother seas. There will always be waves and swells along our journey, but having the ability to push ourselves to go above and beyond what feels comfortable and easy enables us to continue to prevail when faced with challenges along the way.

My journey with DEETER affords me the opportunity to work with a group of individuals who continually strive not only to meet, but to surpass the goals they and their clients have established. It is a journey that I am happy to be on.