In the late 1800s, Derek’s great-grandfather immigrated to the U.S. when he was four years old.  In the early 1900s, he established the family farm that Derek’s grandfather took over upon completion of high school.  Derek’s father did the same and Derek’s father and mother continue to operate the family farm with the team they have built.

The family farm was “protected” out front by a barberry hedge.  Radio communications, primarily during planting and harvest seasons were dominated with chatter, as members of the family cultivated the ground, sowed the seed and harvested the crop each year.  Calls from the home base went out under the “Barberry Base” handle.

The barberry hedge is a unique species as it protects itself with its thorny and dense vegetation, is resilient to mother nature and overly aggressive pruning, and offers diversity in its color.  Barberry is an apt name for our practice because the services that we offer will likewise provide protection, resilience and diversity for our clients.  Our goal, like the barberry hedge, is to protect our clients with sound financial counsel and fractional CFO services.