Heintz & Clark’s Journey to SW Florida
From family relocation to Florida expansion. A story of our president Steve Heintz’s journey to Florida and the evolution into a Sarasota office.
When Steve made the decision to permanently relocate his family to Sarasota, Florida, the plan was straightforward: continue serving clients and leading the firm remotely. As discussions of his move started, there were no plans for expansion; just a move to a warmer climate.
As the dust was still settling on Steve’s announcement we were hit with an unexpected question, “Can I go too?” And then, another employee had the same question. It turns out that our COO, Teresa Wood, and Senior Tax Lead, Ethan Miller, thought the Florida weather and opportunity was worth a chance too.
And just like that, what started as a remote work arrangement quickly evolved into a vision of a second office.
As momentum grew, so did opportunity.
Through a neighborhood connection in Minnesota, that had spurred Steve and Ellie’s move to Florida, we were introduced to a talented local student who became our first official Florida-based employee. Hiring Zach Close as a yearlong intern marked our first investment in local talent and helped establish roots within the community, providing valuable support as we laid the foundation for our SW Florida presence.
Soon after, another milestone followed.
As Teresa embarked on her home search in Florida she established a connection with her realtor. Through that interaction Teresa laid the foundation for our first Florida-based client. This engagement represented more than just new business; it validated our belief that there was genuine demand for our services and that our expansion could extend beyond supporting relocated employees.
From a family relocation to employee interest, community connections, and our first local client, each step played an important role in shaping our presence in the Sunshine State.
When Steve and Aaron started Heintz and Clark in 2017, the dream of possibilities and the excitement of what could be helped shape Heintz and Clark into what it is today. As we have changed and evolved over the years it is always with the mindset of being open to the possibilities. While we didn’t originally have the vision of a Florida office it is about being open to the possibilities and the excitement that what we have created has allowed us and our staff to live the lives they choose.
Today, our SW Florida office stands as a testament to the power of relationships, opportunity, and a willingness to embrace change. At our firm, we often compare major change to jumping out of an airplane; you don’t always have every detail figured out before you take the leap, and sometimes you have to build the parachute on the way down. While we certainly didn’t begin this journey with a complete roadmap, we’ve built a strong foundation and gained confidence with each step forward.
And while we are excited by our growth and opportunity in Florida, our roots remain firmly planted in Minnesota. Minnesota is where our firm was built, where many of our team members and clients continue to call home, and where our central operations remain.
Looking back, it’s remarkable to see how a personal decision evolved into a strategic opportunity. What began as one family’s move has become a new chapter in our firm’s story and an opportunity for growth.
