20 Years.

CDP started on May 14, 2003. 20years. I can hardly believe it. There have been many changes, evolutions and shifts over our history, but there have also been services, convictions and vision that have steadfastly remained.

As many small businesses do, we began out of my home. Figuring out a name, a mission statement, and a product line, how to incorporate the business, develop a website and a logo, how to develop systems and business infrastructure...it was all challenging. CDP isn't a franchise that came with basic infrastructure and support. This new venture required figuring out how to create a business model from the ground up that could balance mission and margin and somehow would work.

There were long hours and many mistakes. I was the receptionist, bookkeeper, marketing strategist, janitor, salesman, and deliverer of all client services. I was exhilarated, exhausted and overwhelmed -- sometimes all in the same day. There weren't vacations in the beginning and there were many seasons without a paycheck. Launching a new business depended 100% on my time, talent and treasure and sometimes I felt scarce on all three. It was a heavy load to bear and there were many days I wanted to quit.

What kept me going was the vision and my calling. Habakkuk 2:3 states, "For the vision awaits an appointed time;  it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay." 20 years ago I envisioned communities where everyone can thrive and that vision is still front and center. I believed that vision was one worth pursuing and it has been a driver and a motivator.

As I reflect today, I am grateful for the journey. I am thankful to my husband and my kids who have journeyed with me. I am thankful to my sister who joined me in the day-to-day work seven years in and remains key to our success. I am grateful to family, colleagues, supporters, clients, staff and the cheerleaders who have been part of the CDP story. We have come so far but there's much work still to do. Here's to 20 more years of helping nonprofits and social enterprises. Here's to 20 more years of community partnerships and developing creative housing solutions. And here's to 20 more years of contributing to communities where everyone can thrive.

-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP