This month’s Family Matters blog spotlights father & daughter sales duo, Merlin Schroeder and Sarah Suchy. Merlin, with 28 years in the American family, combined with Sarah’s fresh, new perspective, share with us their work so far, and their hope for their businesses.
How did Merin & Linda meet?
Merlin: We met many years ago while Linda worked as a waitress at a café. We used to go for a dance at Lake Henry, and they kept the café open for us. She hated it, but for some reason, she liked me. I think I made the first move because I asked her to go to a donkey basketball game with me in Villard.
How long have you been together?
Merlin: We celebrate our 50th anniversary this year!
How long have you been with American?
Merlin: 28 years, and my wife Linda joined ASB about 10 years ago.
Sarah: 2 weeks!
Do you work on many projects together?
Sarah: I’m right now just getting to know the industry and don’t know how projects we’ll work together, but it’s nice to know that my dad is there to ask and get help from. I really depend on him right now to tell me all the next steps.
Merlin: The stuff she’s looking for, I’ve done in the past, and I’ve worked with vendors and done the jobs she’s already done. We try to keep it local so that we can keep freight charges low.
How did you decide to add Sarah to the team?
Sarah: I joined my dad in selling for American because after 20 years in education, I was ready to expand my horizons a bit and join the business world. I love connecting with others and helping them. I’m blessed to still be working in education some, but this experience gives me the best of both worlds.
Merlin: She’s a people person and has been doing just fine. It’s been fun just being there and rolling with it.
What’s the hardest part about working with your spouse/child?
Sarah: I think they’re really good about giving me the independence and letting me work through it while also offering me the help that I need. There’s no “you have to go, and you have to do” but more of “we’re here to support you.” I don’t feel like I work for them, but alongside them while we do and learn things. The hardest thing though is the schedule, and we’re always on the move. And with my kids and their schedules, we’re managing life as well.
Merlin: I haven’t had a hard part yet. I think the hardest part though would probably be if one of us pushes too hard, we will have to decide who can make the final decision. If it’s her account, I would gladly step back and let her decide.
What’s the easiest part?
Sarah: There’s always guidance. There’s someone built in, and I can call Dad and never feel like I should already know the answer. I could ask the same question 3 times, and they’ll still answer me without getting frustrated.
Merlin: Sarah has all these connections with younger families that Linda & I don’t have, and those families don’t have a connection to American yet. Also, I have to say, that I appreciate Vicki Peterson and Paula Petersen so much for the support they give us. I still don’t know everything and still tell Sarah to ask them when she gets stuck.
What is your favorite memory from Sarah’s childhood?
Merlin: When Sarah was about 4 or 5, we skied a lot, and we went on a long slope. It was a windy night without our entire family, and Sarah was going down with no poles. She got stuck in the middle of the hill because it was so windy, and we had to go get her.
Sarah: Ski trips and snowmobile trips, we had a busy summer, and winter was how we got away. One time we were in Grand Rapids snowmobiling, and we got stuck in the middle of a four-way highway because there wasn’t enough snow to keep going, and we had to get drag off the highway.
Why do you recommend working with family?
Merlin: To me, working with family means bouncing ideas off each other. There are questions you might not ask a regular coworker that you would ask family, and you don’t know how they’d take it, but you know family will be honest and kind with their response. They will be open but honest.
Sarah: You have a built-in person to go to for help and support, and you know what the position looks like from all avenues. You know the good, the bad, and all the things in between. And having multiple generations on a team, you can hit multiple generations in your customers as well.
To learn more about American Solutions for Business, visit http://www.americanbus.com.
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