Happy New Year! With another successful year in the books, Stewart Technologies’ co-owners Kristy Mumma and Tara Schinkel, take a few moments to reflect back on their wins and highlights from 2024, as we kickoff a new year.
Q: What were some highlights for Stewart Tech in the past year?
Kristy: Launching a refreshed brand complete with a new website, logo, and messaging was a big highlight of 2024 for Stewart Tech. We wanted our branding to accurately reflect not only the official change in ownership in 2019, but the growth and direction of the firm — along with shining a spotlight on our amazing team.
Tara: It was also a great honor to have Stewart Tech recognized by Howard County Chamber’s 2024 ACE Awards for Small Business of the Year.
Kristy: I’ll second that! We are committed as leaders to showing up for our clients, our team, and our community. And how wonderful that the business community acknowledged the work we do for our clients, and our commitment to lifting up others in our business, our team, the community, and beyond.
Q: What are some standout “wins” for Stewart Tech in the past year?
Tara: 2024 was a big year for Stewart Tech’s app team. We pushed ourselves (and the company as a whole, really) to streamline, optimize, and automate our own workflow processes. And, while we’re still in the beginning stages of where we want to be, the changes that we have made have helped free up time for more important business, like fostering our relationship with Sage. I am so incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication that the apps team put into becoming Sage experts. Because of this impressive team effort, we sold our first two Sage Intacct deals and got our team certified in Sage Distribution and Manufacturing Operations (SDMO) in record time. Two big accomplishments for a firm of our size.
Kristy: Strengthening our relationship with WatchGuard Technologies, our premier security solutions partner and provider, that was a focus area for the IT team this year. We participated in a WatchGuard Early Adopters Program for NDR (Network Detection and Response), attended their Partner Conference, and completed advanced technical training at their new headquarters in Seattle, WA. The connections we’ve built at these events allow Stewart Tech to serve our clients in deeper ways because we have direct access to the changemakers and senior executives and engineers at WatchGuard.
Also, 2024 was a year of changes for many clients. We helped them successfully navigate challenging staffing changes as well as buy outs, mergers, and retirements. During tumultuous business times, we’re proud to be the consistent, reliable voice that assures, “you can do this,” or “we’ve got this.”
Q: What have you learned in 2024 that will help guide your business practices in 2025 and beyond?
Tara: Having the right people on your team can make all the difference to your success. As entrepreneurs, we really need to be working on the business, not in the business. Working 60 hours a week, to the point of burnout, isn’t a badge of honor to wear anymore, and at the end of the day, if you are working on the wrong things in your company, the company will never grow. You need mentors, accountability partners, and a team of great people to support you. Leaning on that support system is what will really empower you to grow, personally and professionally. Most importantly, the journey is never ending. If you are doing it right, there are always areas of improvement — new ways to grow and empower your team along the way.
Kristy: Totally agree, and I’m looking forward to more focus, more growth, and more great client relationships in 2025!