South Mountain 3.0

February 12, 2025 – John Abrams

Chaos, dismantling, and fear are the big news of the moment. But in millions of communities and small businesses, the real news is stability, progress, and compassion. An example close to home is the generational transition which is now complete at South Mountain. Although the hinge point was when I relinquished ownership and employment in the company at the end of 2022, we built in a two-year buffer zone during which I served on the Board of Directors and provided limited consultation.

Along with board service, I observed (often nodding with appreciation), weighed in (occasionally), served (now and then, when there was a particular way to be useful), participated (in various gatherings), and enjoyed weekly check-in calls with new CEO Deirdre Bohan (during which we often spoke as much about our lives as we did about the business).

Now, all of that is done. At my last SMCo Board meeting in December, I said, in part, the following:

I deeply love South Mountain Company. I love what it was, what it has become, and I’m sure to love what it will be. I’ve enjoyed the last two years as an involved observer and occasional collaborator. I have been awestruck by your passionate evolution and extraordinary accomplishments. I don’t even think I’ve ever cringed, not once, at anything I’ve seen or heard; I’ve only been uplifted.

I will never lose my connection to South Mountain. I will never cease to bear witness with wonder. I will never stop being an ambassador in the various arenas in which I move. South Mountain is, at present, the very best expression of what South Mountain has ever been. I’m as certain of that as I am that that you’ll always keep the faith, keep the grace, and walk with compassion.

I began this brief soliloquy with love. It ends there too. I want to thank each of you for the value, the learning, the friendship, and the love you have brought to my life, and will continue to bring.

Onward we go.

That was the end of SMCo 2.0, which was the two-year transition from fifty years of SMCo 1.0 to the new SMCo 3.0.

In January, at the first meeting of the reconstituted Board, which includes all 20 of the current SMCo Owners, Deirdre had this to say:

Welcome, Board 3.0!

As we gather at the start of a new year, it’s a good time to reflect—we’re wrapping up our “two-year tune-up” and stepping into the future. Together, we’ve shifted from being founder-driven to purpose-driven, and along the way, we’ve strengthened our belief in our mission and in each other.

This journey has been transformative, and I am inspired daily by the way each of you influences my growth as a leader.

Your unique individual qualities shape how I lead and encourages me to become better—not just for myself, but for all of us.

What better place to be as we move beyond the “two-year tune-up” into “sustaining success.” We’ve built a strong foundation of trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. Let’s keep up that momentum and see where it takes us . . .

Onward!

Onward, I say . . . and onward, she says.

Full spirit ahead.

I’m reminded of a letter I received from Anthony Lewis that captures this spirit. Prior to his death in 2013, Tony was a noted New York Times columnist, author, and Pulitzer winner. Long ago, we built a house for him and his wife (and still good friend) Margaret Marshall. During the design and construction process, Tony would write to me occasionally on his manual Royal typewriter. In August of 1994, after they’d moved in, there was a day when several SMCo people were in and out of the house doing punch-list work. That day he wrote:

At some point I said to Margie, “Isn't it amazing how happy everyone who works at South Mountain is?” I went on to say to her that for you and everyone else, work there seems to be the opposite of the grudging necessity it is for so many people. I am in danger of sounding pompous, so I'll stop. I just want to tell you what many others must have told you over the years: You have created a remarkable enterprise. Or better, the word should be life. You make beautiful houses and things for us, and all involved have a chance to be craftsmen in the true sense.

I can’t honestly say that this is entirely what we are or what we have been, but I can say for certain that he got—precisely—what we have always aspired to be. I believe that this aspiration remains within SMCo 3.0 and that it will be there for another 50 years, at least.

This kind of hope and commitment is a good reminder that in these times of massive upheaval in our country, there can be nothing more effective than to carry on—to carry on with absolute resolve to live our dreams and to help others live theirs.

Author David Korten explains in The Great Turning that “We are slowly making progress as a nation toward achieving liberty and justice for all only through the long and difficult struggles of the excluded.” This progress continues, and will persist, despite all attempts to derail our national mission. South Mountain feels like a modest and imperfect microcosm of the nation we will become.

Onward . . . with love.