20 Years Ago…

Twenty years ago, Shaw & Associates made its debut.  While sitting in a meeting, we started to wonder what was happening 20 years ago.  Well, we found a few things that we found interesting and hope you do also.

The biggest changes we could find is technology. 

• Today we have technology at our fingertips.
• Floppy disks were used to save information.
• If we wanted the internet, we had to use our phone line. Do you remember that annoying sound it would make while trying to connect? 
• When you would talk about the cloud, it was the big puffy white thing in the sky and not where all of our information is stored.
• Blog wasn’t even a word that was created yet and neither were the jobs of today which are Blogger, Virtual Assistant, and SEO Specialist.
• As for gaming, Nintendo 64 was released as well as the first 3D game, “Quake”.
• Cell phones were becoming a bit more portable, but they were still big and clunky and only used for calling.
• If you needed to be reached, you had a pager in which you would usually find the nearest phone booth. When is the last time you have seen a phone booth? 
• Phones now are known more for their features such as texting, cameras, apps, and organizers.
• Twenty years ago, we were not able to see our photographs as soon as they were taken. You actually had to buy film, take them in to be developed and not to mention we could not edit them before processing.  We did not have the instant gratification that we do now.

The ease of access that we have to information has changed drastically too. 

• We had to call the movie theatre to find out what was being shown and at what times.
• If we needed to do anything dealing with the bank, we had to physically go there.
• To listen to the greatest tunes, we had the infamous Walkman and with that you also had the good old fanny pack!
• Most households had a Readers Digest laying around.
• Also, if you were meeting someone at the airport or dropping someone off, you could walk with them straight to the gate. You could even park at the end of the runway, just to watch the planes take off and land.

Some not so great things that happened twenty years ago…

• The Unabomber was arrested in Montana
• The Summer Olympics were bombed in Atlanta
• OJ Simpson Trial began

For entertainment and celebrity news…

• The movies that year were Independence Day, Twister, Jerry Maguire, Scream, and Space Jam.
• The Song of the Year was Macarena (you know you just sang that in your head) and the Spice Girls had their first hit, Wannabe.
• And, Justin Bieber was only two years old! Soccer-mom was introduced to the world for the first time.

As for world news…

• Our President was Bill Clinton 
• First female Secretary of State was appointed, Madeline Albright.
• Even though she wasn’t born until 1997, Dolly the sheep was cloned.
• The biggest divorce of that time was Prince Charles and Princess Diana where she even had her title, Her Royal Highness removed.

Sporting events included…

• The Olympics being hosted in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Our ladies soccer and softball teams took Gold during their sports debut at the Olympics.
• Professional teams that won their titles: The Dallas Cowboys won the Super Bowl, The New York Yankees won the World Series, The Chicago Bulls won the NBA Championship, and our very own Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup.

Kevin Shaw, CEO

Shaw & Associates, CPA’s and Financial Advisors

Client Spotlight

Jason Ells, CCIM
Vice President

Commercial real estate is an elusive topic for many.  While commercial real estate professionals operate under the same state license as residential agents, our world is infinitely more complex; dealing with extensive lease agreements, standard and non-standard purchase agreements, due diligence, entitlements, water rights, tax deferred exchange guidelines, cash flow underwriting, institutional financing and more.  The perception at large is that a commercial real estate professional is tasked with finding your business the right location, but for the top agents in our industry that accounts for only 10-20% of the assignment.  As always, the devil is in the details.

I have had the privilege of working with clients from a wide array of industries, from multi-family developers to fast casual restaurants, manufacturing companies to Fortune 500 insurance and financial service providers.  Their common link is that they all have a specific and detailed need for commercial real estate in the northern Colorado market, and they are all far too busy running their companies to give this need the attention it requires.  It is for these clients that I am able to add the most value.  With 15 years of experience, the designation of a Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) and the ability to leverage the global platform of Cushman & Wakefield my team is uniquely positioned to consult with you and your business to identify specific needs, evaluate potential solutions and execute on your real estate strategy.  Whether evaluating the relocation of your business, strategically positioning an asset for sale or underwriting a new commercial real estate investment opportunity, outlining a high-level strategy right up front will save both time and money. Kevin and I are happy to work through this initial evaluation with you and help get you started on the right foot.

Of course a critical component to developing your real estate strategy is evaluating the financial and tax consequences or advantages that go along with it.  I have worked with Shaw & Associates for many years, both personally and as a member of my professional team, advising clients on their unique situations.  Shaw has done an outstanding job of assisting with investments, partnerships and business operations, and continues to demonstrate the highest level of expertise as we continue to examine new opportunities.  Thanks to Kevin and his team for playing such a vital role in assisting and supporting my clients and I as we continue to grow!

Community Events

OpenStage Theatre – The Flick

Sam is a 35-year-old-man who has worked at the movie theater forever. Rose is a 24-year-old sexually magnetic, emotionally messy, young lady who prides herself on being the only one who knows how to operate the projector. Avery, the newest employee, is a very sensitive 20-year-old who still lives at home, and is less than enthusiastic about his future. As they clean the aisles of the empty movie theater, these three don’t collide in a big way, but the awkwardness and confusion between them creates a rich and nuanced portrait of what it is like to be a human communicating with other people. With keen insight and a finely-tuned comic eye, The Flick is a hilarious and heart-rending cry for authenticity in a fast-changing world.

Show runs from November 3rd to December 3rd.

Get your tickets today!

Location: Lincoln Center Magnolia Theater- 417 W Magnolia St

9 Care Colorado Shares Food Drive

Join us on November 12th for 9 Care Colorado Shares at the North College Fort Collins King Soopers for the 9Cares Colorado Shares Food Drive 2016!

1842 North College, Fort Collins, CO 80524

Realities for Children Charities Official Day – November 10th

November 1st both the Fort Collins City Council and Loveland City Council are issuing an official Proclamation that November 10th will be known as the Realities For Children Charities ‘Path to Healing For At-Risk Children Day’. This is an exciting proclamation in recognition of the Homebase Facility and what it will provide in the healing process for the children we and our Affiliate Youth Agency partners serve. Donate a Brick Today and be part of this Path of Healing in our community!

“Path to Healing Day” to signify the importance of helping the at-risk youth in our community. Learn more and donate now at www.RealitiesHomebase.com