Building Value for Vermeulen's Furniture

Building lasting professional relationships has proven successful at Willis & Jurasek, P.C. The firm has built a steady stream of relationships to create a reputable and highly recognized name in the State of Michigan. "We want to be the local leader in accounting services, helping every kind of business succeed," Phil Willis says. Over the years, Willis & Jurasek has done just that for Vermeulen's Furniture.

Willis & Jurasek, P.C. works with a myriad of businesses throughout the United States, numbering more than 1,000 clients. It's not just number-crunching for the Willis & Jurasek team; it's about knowing the client's business inside and out, and what makes the business work.

Phil Willis is proud of the many long-term relationships the firm has developed. He points out that the firm has about ten clients that are on their third or fourth generation of family ownership while working with Willis & Jurasek. "Our close relationship with the client has helped bridge our work from one generation to the next," said Willis.

One of Willis & Jurasek's third-generation clients is Vermeulen's Furniture. "We've always had a great working relationship," says Willis about his relationship with owner Lynn Vermeulen. The two business owners have been working together for the past 35 years. "This has been a multi-generational business relationship. I guess I have been around here a long time," Willis said, while thinking about how he has worked with Lynn, Lynn's father Link, and Lynn's son Nathan.

"Phil and I knew each other as kids, and it just seemed natural to call him as an adult and business owner when I needed some financial services," Lynn Vermeulen says. "He began by preparing financial statements, then advising me on several tax issues, and he helped me set up a 401(k) program for my employees."

It seems like a natural fit for Willis and Vermeulen as the two have similar business philosophies: to help their customers and clients make the right choices. The two businesses are in completely different industries, but the philosophies are identical. Whether it be a decision on furniture or financial issues, the two like to know their customers and their needs in order to make a sound decision.

The two have familiar names around Jackson. Willis & Jurasek has been a leader in the community for more than 40 years, and Vermeulen for 80 years. And now they also have the added link of both expanding into the Grand Rapids market at virtually the same time; Vermeulen through the acquisition of the Grand Rapids La-Z-Boy Gallery, and Willis & Jurasek through the acquisition of VandenToorn & Associates. As Willis says, "having a long and trusting track record helps, especially in this economy."

Vermeulen's Furniture is a family-owned and operated business with five stores in Jackson, Kalamazoo (two stores), Grand Rapids, and Lansing. "We have something to meet everyone's needs," Lynn Vermeulen says. The 45,000 square foot store in Jackson has wall-to-wall home amenities, offering furniture and home decor items for every part of the house.

Just like Willis, Vermeulen likes to know his customers. "We help our customers make the right choices. We like to know what the customer likes and what will suit their needs," Vermeulen adds.

Obviously, a long-lasting business relationship and a keen sense of helping and delivering to the customers are keys to success for both Vermeulen and Willis. "I am lucky to have good clients out there like Vermeulen's Furniture," Willis says. Vermeulen is glad to have a trusted business partner. "He (Willis) knows the strengths and pitfalls in the business world."