A humorous look at how we came to be.

Scythe & Spade Company does not exist today by accident, although "accident"� could have been our middle name. Looking back to May of 1998, we can appreciate the many trials and tribulations we and our clients have endured and overcome in getting to where we are today. The following is a chronological satire of our travels and experiences.

On May 28th, 1998 a detailed business plan was copied from various scraps of margarita-stained napkins, toilet paper, tequila labels, and gum wrappers and implemented on June 17th. Thus Scythe & Spade was born with blessings from its four primary partners, Uncle Sam, the Arizona Department of Revenue, a wing, and a prayer.

Without office space or an address, an eager staff of two (Brett and Michelle) set up operations in the basement boiler room of Brett's historic (translation: non air-conditioned) home in Chandler, AZ. An extension cord and phone line were run in through the casement window and shop lighting was installed. The "executive suite" was then furnished with a pair of folding chairs, an abused file cabinet, and some avocado-green 1970s era kitchen cabinets found in a neighbor's barn. Business cards, letterhead, and other necessities were printed and mailed to several hundred unsuspecting contacts notifying them of our new company and secretly begging them for business.

The lack of plumbing, heat in the winter, or air conditioning in the summer was little deterrent in the first year, though later a great motivating factor in seeking alternative office accommodations. Still, security was of utmost importance and a Master Lock was installed on the two exterior barn door style entrances. A strict dress code of shorts, flip-flops, and the occassional bikini were in place for the summer and mittens and wool sweaters for the winter was enforced at all times.

In July 1998, a primarily vacant office space (a few rodents kept things in order) became available. New business cards, letterhead, and a change of address notice were re-printed and re-mailed and more office equipment and furniture acquired. Regretfully, over the course of the first few weeks it became painfully obvious that the new location would not be suitable and the staff of 2 reluctantly moved back into the boiler room.

In December 1998, while attending church services, the founder's truck was broken into and a laptop computer containing key files, contracts, the penultimate draft of our company's brochure, and several important documents was stolen. Just a little reminder, I suppose, that even a struggling small businessman is expected to pay his tithing and then some.

In April 1999, anticipating the delivery of their second daughter, the founder and his growing family moved out of their one bedroom, one bath house long enough to remodel and add two bedrooms and a second bath. Thanks to the construction effort and crews (anyone who made the mistake of dropping by), the Scythe & Spade offices suddenly became much busier, noisier and dustier. The bathroom facilities were reduced to a shared port-a-potty and baby wipes.

In August 1999, a neighboring home owner slept through his malfunctioning irrigation system and overnight the Scythe & Spade offices were converted into a sunken swimming pool. Files, computers, books, maps, and the likes were destroyed in the flood. This too proved to be a motivating factor in seeking alternative office accommodations, and in particular those on a second floor.

In September 1999, it may come as no surprise that new offices were identified and a move-in date of November was scheduled. New phones, letterhead, and business cards were once again ordered. October, November, then December and January came and went. Finally, on February 15, 2000 we moved into our new offices. Aside from the regular technological glitches such as repeated faulty alarms in the middle of the night and ever present communication challenges, we are proud and pleased with the accommodations. Four subsequent remodels later, we are still pleased with our offices located on the second floor of a historic office building in downtown Chandler next to the famous San Marcos Hotel.

Since then, our staff has expanded to include crop insurance and real estate agents, farm managers, and a techie geek or two. Our commitment to our clients and the industry could not be swayed by dust, flood, heat, cold, wind, or fire. We are stronger as a result of these experiences and have no regrets. Please don't hesitate to stop in for a relaxing and quiet cup of coffee or cold glass of ice tea - no surprises - guaranteed!