“WE must be doing something right”, a proud Kevin Thompson stated.
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And, after five decades of trusted service in town, the founder of TFS The Financial Planning Specialists is spot on.
The Muswellbrook family business celebrated its 50th birthday on October 28.
Even though the 80-year-old is no longer involved in the current set-up, his legacy remains through his youngest daughter Virginia Greentree and her husband, Adam.
“Everything’s computerised these days,” he said.
“We used to knock on doors [when I started].
“Back then, Muswellbrook had a population of 3000, compared to 12,000 now.
“But, I guess I’ve seen it all.”
KJ & MA Thompson Pty Ltd was established in 1967 by Mr Thompson and his wife Margaret, then life insurance agents for City Mutual.
The original office was situated downstairs in their home in Sowerby Street – ironically, not far from today’s location.
The business gradually grew to include general insurance, Brook Insurance Brokers.
In 1979, due to an expansion, they moved to new premises in 56 Bridge Street.
Seven years later, the Thompsons sold the general insurance business and moved into a new industry – at the time – financial planning, changing the name to Thompsons Financial Services.
“I had a good secretary [wife Margaret] and family, which helped greatly in the early days,” Mr Thompson said.
“To be honest, we never had a problem working together.
“Now, Virginia and Adam are following that tradition.”
In 1987, the Thompsons’ eldest son, Greg, joined the business and they moved next door to 54 Bridge Street, larger premises again.
Following a merger in 1990, they became involved with well-known insurance company MLC.
In 1992, Greg Thompson purchased the business from his parents, with Adam Greentree invited to join two years later.
The pair became licensed in 1997 with Garvan Financial Planning, an affiliate of MLC.
Mr Thompson retired from full-time work in 1998 and his wife stayed on as financial controller until her retirement in 2002.
Unfortunately, she passed away from Motor Neurone Disease in 2012.
In November 1999, Greg Thompson and Mr Greentree became business partners.
However, tragedy struck on November 13, 2000.
Greg Thompson was killed in a motor vehicle accident north of Singleton on his way home from work.
The Greentrees then purchased Thompsons Financial Services in 2001.
“We decided to keep pushing on,” Mrs Greentree said.
“I was nursing [at the time] and dropped in to help out.
“Funnily enough, I’m still here.
“Although there have been changes in the industry, our principles have stayed the same,” Mr Greentree added.
“Everyone has superannuation, so people are looking for [financial] security.
“One thing we pride ourselves on is the long-term staff; we’ve had a very low turnover.
“And, 50 years later, we’re still kicking on.”
The Greentrees purchased premises at 26 Sowerby Street in 2003 – across the road from where the business started.
And, in 2013, they moved next door to 28, where they are located now.
The TFS Group boasts a team of six across two businesses, TFS The Financial Planning Specialists and Hunter Lending Solutions, with offices in Muswellbrook, Singleton and Newcastle.