When Jake Johnson looks back on the 25-year journey of Johnson Consulting Group, he doesn’t just see the growth of a company. He sees the continuation of a mission that started long before he ever signed his first deal — a mission rooted in helping people help themselves.
That ethos began with his father, the late Tom Johnson, a respected industry leader who began his career in banking before serving in several key positions with Batesville Casket Company.
If you work in deathcare, you’ll want to watch this interview with Jake.
Jake opens up about how the industry has evolved over the past quarter-century and how JCG has pivoted over the years to serve its clients. He also shares some of the wisdom he gleaned watching his father, company founder Tom Johnson, as he built long-lasting relationships and made deals.
Jake explains that Johnson Consulting began with a focus on valuations and succession planning for funeral homes and cemeteries and has grown into a full-service advisory firm covering business operations, accounting, mergers and acquisitions, technology and more. He also looks back at his path to leadership, which started after he graduated with a background in finance and joined Keystone Group. Later, he managed funeral homes and cemeteries at Palm Mortuaries, gaining what he calls “boots-on-the-ground experience” before joining his father at JCG.
At the heart of JCG’s growth is a strong internal culture. Jake gives lots of credit to his chief operating officer, Jeff Casey, for championing a people-first approach that has guided the company through change — including a shift to remote work even before the pandemic.
“We have a fun and rigorous onboarding experience, and we’re HR-first,” Jake said. “When your people are happy, good things happen.”
Throughout the interview, Jake emphasizes the danger of procrastinating on business transition planning. Waiting too long may materially reduce the value of your firm.
Whether you’re an owner, manager, or working on the front lines of the funeral service and cemetery profession, you’ll find the interview informative.
Learn more about Johnson Consulting Group.
Watch the interview here or below.
As JCG celebrates its 25th anniversary, Jake remains focused on the same core mission his father started with — helping others succeed.
“We’ve built something I’m incredibly proud of,” he said.
Building JCG has not been without its challenges, but he’s grateful for having such a great team around him, which has enabled him to continue his father’s legacy of service.
You can also read our companion profile celebrating JCG’s 25th anniversary.
Johnson Consulting Group is a full-service consulting firm serving the deathcare profession. The company specializes in mergers and acquisitions, business valuations, succession planning, customer performance tracking software, business and leadership consulting, and financial services. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, JCG is recognized for its culture of integrity, innovation, and industry leadership.
