Working with my dad, Larry Stelter, has definitely been a unique family experience—one that I wouldn’t change for the world.
Growing up, I assumed that everyone worked countless hours and frequently traveled across the country. My dad never slowed down, and still truly hasn’t. When I was younger, I hoped to grow up to be like him—and still truly do.
Here are just 3 of the endless lessons my father has taught me along the way:
1. If you don’t love what you’re doing, it isn’t worth doing.
This is a phrase I have heard time and time again working by my father’s side. We have all heard the saying, in one way or another: If you love your job, you’ll never work a day in your life.
Family, friends and fellow colleagues can easily pick up on the passion, or lack thereof, you have for your career. “Are we having fun yet?!” is something I have heard my father say many times in the office. Along with, “People first. Have fun.”
2. QTR
QTR, “Quality Time Remaining”, is my father’s personal motto, and now license plate. In 2012, he suffered a stroke and fully embraced this mindset. Live life to the fullest.
After so many years of building the business we all love, he now has the chance to enjoy the many blessings it has brought him, his treasured family and Stelter team, more often.
3. Generosity is the key to a happy life.
My dad worked hard to ensure that The Stelter Company embodies all that is generosity, from our philanthropy luncheons to our paid day to volunteer. If you’d like to read more about what Stelter and our employees do to help make the world, and work, a better place, find out here.
In 2017, he and my step-mother (and Stelter CEO), Peggy Fisher, were awarded the well-deserved honor of Outstanding Individual Philanthropists by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Central Iowa Chapter. It was a proud day for our family as well as our Stelter team.
There are so many great lessons we can learn from fathers, and those are just a few that I’ve learned from mine over the years.
From our family to yours, happy Father’s Day!
