Three decades ago, I received a small package in the mail from Bill King, CFO of American Sharecom in Minneapolis. Inside were two software utilities — Sidekick and DoubleDOS — which together cost less than $30. It was a modest gift. But it left a lasting impression.
American Sharecom became Equinox's first customer, and Bill's early support came during a time when the company's future was anything but certain. As I've reflected on it over the years: when Equinox was just a spark, with slim chances of becoming an ember, Bill showed us that he was on our side.
The software is long obsolete. But the gesture has outlasted it by decades. I recently learned through Bill's obituary that this kind of generosity was not exceptional for him — it was characteristic.
I think about what it means to extend that kind of support to someone early in their journey, when it's far from obvious whether the investment will pay off. The answer, I've come to believe, is that it always pays off — not necessarily in the way you'd expect, but in ways that compound over time.
Bill King was a teacher and a friend who left a lasting imprint on this company. We honor his memory by extending similar generosity to others.
About the Author — Byron Middendorf is co-founder and President of Equinox Information Systems.