Building relationships with her community and supporting small businesses ranks among the top of Traci Kelly’s key pillars for life enjoyment. Hear about how she and Doug, her husband of 33 years, have successfully managed their business, Kelly Limestone.
Learn more about her story, what brought Traci to FINSYNC, and why she is passionate about connecting with small organizations.
Tell me about your company and what inspired you to start.
Kelly Limestone is a family business that Doug’s parents started in the 1940s. After Doug’s mother passed away in 1991, we moved from Aspen, CO, back to Missouri to help with the family business. At the time, this business was a rock quarry, mining rock, and manufacturing limestone, which ultimately grew into the business today.
In 2002 we officially purchased the entire business from Doug’s father. We sold the rock quarry section of the company in 2007 and concentrated on manufacturing limestone and gypsum products.
The limestone contains calcium deposits which feed the plants and makes other nutrients work better. Calcium is critical to the human body and plant growth as well.
Our target markets include golf courses, agricultural farms, and lawn care. We manufacture this product in Missouri and ship it to over 38 states and countries.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a small business owner?
Over the years, the challenges we have faced are the growing pains of a capital-intensive business, and raw material sourcing has been a big challenge.
We have been blessed and have always had wonderful employees. We have not had a lot of employee turnover, high employee retention, and we are grateful for that.
What’s the best thing about being a small business owner?
This is so easy! We forge meaningful relationships with our customers and our employees. We have come to know many of them personally and their families; we are truly blessed. They have made our lives fuller.
Many of the companies who have been our clients since 1991 are also small businesses. We have known them personally over the years, and we go to their funerals when loved ones pass. Their lives are intermixed with ours in lots of wonderful ways.
What prompted you to start using FINSYNC?
I researched all the bigger companies because I knew our software had to be web-based since our secretary was working from a different location.
I have always been a supporter of small businesses. In fact, I told our friends and family that I am buying all Christmas presents locally this year.
I felt like FINSYNC was a small company where I could call and talk to an actual person if I needed help. Since I have always been a big supporter of small businesses, I felt you fit me.
What are the biggest benefits your business has experienced using FINSYNC?
There are actually a lot of things I like about you. I like working with real people. When I have a question, David, or another customer support member, get back to me quickly. When I send an email, I like that someone will get back to me within a few hours. That’s a big thing for me.
I recently had a banking glitch which was kind of frustrating. But it is incredibly great to know I could talk to a person and they would help me through it, and we would figure out the solution together even if it is just a connection issue that was the root cause of my problem.
Keep doing your customer service the way you’re doing it because that is such an asset for your company!
What financial institutions do you have connected to FINSYNC?
I previously was with US Bank, and during COVID they closed the lobby of their branches. I was tired of calling these 1-800 numbers, not reaching a real person. My husband and I decided we were going to try a small, local bank instead. We switched to OakStar using FINSYNC. I am so thrilled I made this change and have nothing but good things to say about that decision.
Moving away from giant conglomerations and supporting small businesses is kind of a theme for me.
How does having FINSYNC connected to the accounts mentioned above make your business life easier?
The bank sync is definitely a game-changer for me, and I can compare transactions and click “done” from my car. So quick and easy.
I also like Lockbox for checks. This feature is a good thing for me because I am always on the move.
What advice do you have for those thinking about owning their own business?
I would say go for it! It has been an incredible ride for us since 1991. It is rewarding, yet exhausting. If you are fortunate enough to do it with someone you love, it makes it all the better. I am very blessed to be in business with my husband.
We have a joke in our family that he is the “rainmaker” because he is that guy that goes out and makes everything happen, and I come home and put together the details. We really complement each other.
Anything else you would like to share with other potential and actual small business owners?
If you are thinking about starting your own business, I highly recommend going with FINSYNC and the smaller banking institutions. I feel both are readily available and interested in your success.
Learn more about FINSYNC’s all-in-one cloud-based accounting platform.