EntrepreneurIn 1982, Chris Mercer believed there was an opportunity to build a business based on business valuation and started Mercer Capital Management, Inc. with an Osborne One computer, a Smith Corona TP-1 printer, and a telephone.
Mercer Capital grew over the years as the national reputations of its professionals were established. Begun and still headquartered in Memphis, Mercer Capital’s business has grown to be national in scope, with offices in Nashville, Dallas and Houston.
Mercer Capital moved into signature office space in Clark Tower in 2010, and has expanded since then. The firm now has 45 employees, and is 100% employee-owned, either directly or through its Employee Stock Ownership Plan.
While Mercer Capital has served thousands of clients all over the nation, Chris is very proud of the fact that the firm still provides annual valuations, or related services to many clients from the early days in the 1980s. Interestingly, he or others at Mercer Capital have provided services to about half of the members (or their firms) in the SOE.
Chris has written eight books, with his last two books aimed directly at entrepreneurs across the nation. He has served in elected and appointed positions in national appraisal societies and served on the Professional Board of the International Valuation Standards Council, London, for several years.
Chris Mercer graduated from Stetson University (Deland, Florida) in 1968, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Economics from Vanderbilt University in 1971. Prior to beginning his business career, Chris served as an Armor Officer in the U.S. Army for four years.
Chris has served on numerous charitable boards over the last thirty-plus years. He has devoted substantial time in the last several years helping to develop the Memphis ChoralArts into a premier men’s, women’s and children’s vocal group.
Mercer Capital is a national business valuation and financial advisory firm. Clients include private and public operating companies, financial institutions, asset holding companies, high-net worth families, and private equity/hedge funds.
Service areas include valuation and financial advisory services related to gift and estate taxes, employee stock ownership plans, corporate transactions, financial reporting, and litigation support.
1982
“‘When I think of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurs, I think with gratitude of the free enterprise system that creates the environment where entrepreneurs can thrive. Entrepreneurs are like everyone else in many respects. They differ in recognizing opportunities, in being willing to organize and risk resources to address those opportunities, and in making a few key decisions along the way that, in retrospect, may look easy or obvious, but at the time were wrenching. There are a few overnight success stories, but most entrepreneurs achieve their successes over time by identifying key people who can help their businesses grow and empowering them to do so. And then they do so for long enough to build successful businesses and communities.
I remember a physician entrepreneur I met as a young man, Dr. Goddard. I told him proudly that I had just had my first anniversary in business and I was obviously pleased with myself. Dr. Goddard responded with words I’ve never forgotten. “Chris, when you’ve been in business for one year, what you have is a chance to be in business for another year. Don’t ever forget this fact and the implications that flow from it.” And I haven’t.“
For More Information: http://www.mercercapital.com
