For over a decade now we have worked for a VMC that provides us 1/2 of our income. We have grown as they have grown and shrunk as they have shrunk. Without them we would be a very very different company or we would simply cease to exist.

Every so often this VMC checks the lay of the land and compares us to the competition, and every time (so far) we have made the cut. The implication is that we are a little more expensive, but they are willing to keep using us because of the quality of our service and our dedication over the years.

During these periods I lose a lot of sleep. Reinventing myself at 43 with a 4 year old son is NOT what I had in mind when we started the company almost 10 years ago. I keep thinking about what I would do to keep this client. It's not just me after all - I have co-owners an a very dedicated and loyal staff.

At the end of the day I must simply take responsibility. It was my decision to hitch my cart to the VMC wagon and for a decade they have been understanding and fair. Our hard work has been rewarded and we have helped them profit and grow.

I know many VMC have made the decision to 'outsource' work only to find later that they had made a mistake. When this happens there are always fewer abstractors to choose from when they come back. Then there are the VMCs that only use local abstractors to search what isn't available online - which sounds dicey to me.

It's a sad state of affairs. It is my hope that we are able to keep one step ahead technologically, two steps ahead on service, and offer our expertise and insurance at a rate that will pay the bills. I am alright with our industry changing, I just don't want it to disappear.



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