Testimonials
Here are some testimonials from a few of the families we serve who have benefited from our ministry and a few of their professional advisors.
Client Testimonial #1:
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Coors, Jr.
Golden, Colorado
During my capacity as a business executive during the past twenty years, and before retiring in 2000, I had the opportunity to participate in a few estate plan "pitches". I shunned them because it was such a "cloak and dagger" exercise: "give me money and I’ll show you how it works". So, I never did one, and, when I was working, such planning just didn’t seem necessary.
In March 2003, my father died. His estate was about $12 million. He had done NO planning. When we had to write a check to Uncle Sam for over $5 million, that was my wake-up call. I needed to do something.
As the Lord tends to work in mysterious ways, lo and behold, Jay Link and Kardia were invited to make a presentation at a Colorado Fellowship of Christian Athletes executive committee meeting in June 2003. I listened to the "pitch" with some suspicion. Then Jay asked: do you want to keep your current lifestyle in tact, do you want to increase the amount you leave to your heirs, do you want to increase your Kingdom giving, and do you want to have Uncle Sam pay for it? My answers were "yes, yes, yes, and yes". Hallelujah!
Shortly thereafter, my wife and I engaged Kardia in a five phase process that has been a wonderful and rewarding experience. Even our children have been involved, and they know that they are receiving a well thought-out inheritance plan when Gail and I are called to Heaven.
For Christians who want to maximize all their God-given resources and effectively incorporate the spiritual and emotional components with the financial aspects of their life planning, we believe Kardia is the BEST ministry you ought to consider. We unhesitatingly recommend them to you.
Client Testimonial #2:
Mrs. John (Lorraine) Bandimere Jr.
Bandimere Speedway
Denver, Colorado
Before we began working with Kardia, we found ourselves in the same situation as so many other affluent Christian families. We had been blessed to build a successful family business, but had no idea how to untangle the ownership from our two other inactive siblings, nor how to pass it on to our children without being devastated by taxes in the process. We had a heart to give more to support Christian causes, but we had no idea how to do much more than continue to give from our annual income. Our advisors only seemed to make our attempts at planning more confusing for us as we tried unsuccessfully on multiple occasions to get some sound planning done.
But then we met Kardia, Inc. and we knew we had found a group of Christian professionals who shared a common worldview and were willing to take the time to get to know us and our family well enough to help us gain the clarity we needed to decide what we really wanted to do for ourselves, our family and the Lord’s work with all that God had entrusted to us.
I never enjoyed any of our previous attempts at planning because I would get lost in the legal jargon and reams of papers which made no sense to me at all. But the Kardia process was completely different. And even though we finally did get down to legal jargon and reams of paper, it was not until we were completely clear on exactly what we wanted to do. I understood the “why” as well as the “what” behind what we have accomplished, even though I did not entirely understand “how” it all works. I did not feel the need to know the “how” as, for the first time, we had all of our advisors working together towards a common set of goals.
We have eliminated millions of dollars in needless taxes and instead we have the opportunity to give those millions of dollars away to support the work of the Lord around the world. What an incredible joy and blessing for our entire family!
Lastly, not only were my husband and I able to come to an agreement on a Master Plan, we have also shared that plan with our adult children and their spouses, so that everyone knows exactly what will be happening in the years ahead before and after we eternally relocate. Our regular family meetings are always fun and emotional, and always draw us even closer together as we have now begun working together as a family to give some very significant funds away to encourage others and build the Kingdom.
What Kardia has done for us, for our children and for our grandchildren has exceeded all of my expectations. We have not just used our heads in our planning but even more importantly we have engaged our hearts in this process as well. And for a woman, a wife, a mother and a grandmother, it has been the heart side of the process that has made all the difference for me.
Client Testimonial #3:
Bob Walker, President
Walker Manufacturing Company
Ft. Collins, Colorado
My brother and I are second generation owners of a small manufacturing company in Colorado. We and our two sisters inherited the business from our parents who started the company nearly 50 years ago. Our family mission and purpose are distinctly Christian and Christian stewardship is our ownership model. Following the good example set by our parents in transitioning the ownership to their children and with the strong goal of keeping the ownership as a private, family-owned, independent company, I had been studying and praying about how to approach the all-important task of business succession for several years before meeting Jay Link.
I was introduced to Jay Link by reading his book "Getting to the Heart of the Matter". I read the book a couple of years earlier and then put it on the shelf until early in 2004; the book came into my mind. I believe it was the Lord who prompted my mind and I decided to contact Jay Link to see if we could engage Kardia. At first, I asked for an associate trained in the Family Wealth Counseling methods but was excited to find that Jay was accepting clients from Colorado himself.
Each of our four families worked through the Family Wealth Counseling process individually, and with my brother and me as principal owners of the company, planning for the company business succession is also being accomplished. We went through the counseling and planning phases in 2004 and implementation was completed in 2005. We found the whole Family Wealth Counseling process to meet our needs for wealth transfer planning with a distinct foundation of Christian stewardship. A great working relationship has been developed with Jay and the Kardia team that will continue to help us in the future as our families "live the plan".
In simple terms, a lot has been accomplished in working with Kardia and a lot more will be accomplished going forward. We have a plan that will bless our children with an appropriate inheritance. Business succession within our family is enabled and planning is underway. And our family is engaged in giving to God's Kingdom work in amounts that we never dreamed possible. It is thrilling to see "multiplication" in God's Kingdom work where our financial blessings can be multiplied to bless many others.
Testimonial #4:
Mr. and Mrs. Neil Spradley
Standard Candy Company
Eastman, Georgia
We are so grateful to Answers in Genesis for introducing us to Jay Link of Kardia. Who would have ever thought that the most creative and professional advisors we have ever worked with would have been introduced to us from a Christian ministry we support? We recognized from our very first introductory meeting with them that their Family Wealth Counseling process was both unique and very effective. Finding advisors who include the spiritual, emotional and financial components of a family's life into an overall, comprehensive and integrated Master Stewardship Plan was exactly what both Rae and I really wanted and needed.
The results have been nothing short of spectacular as well. They have showed us how to substantially reduce our annual income taxes, how to sell our company without incurring any capital gains taxes and how to totally eliminate all our estate taxes no matter what Congress may or may not do in the future.
They helped us thoughtfully determine an appropriate inheritance for our children; how to ensure that we would be able to maintain our desired life-style and how to give to kingdom causes and ministries in amounts that we would have never imagined in our entire lives.
They delivered everything they promised and far more. We could not be happier with our working relationship with them and look forward to a very long and productive relationship for years to come. For Christian families who have accumulated a substantial net worth, no matter how much planning they may have already done, I think it would be in their best interest to explore in earnest the work and ministry of Kardia. Jay Link's book, Family Wealth Counseling: Getting to the Heart of the Matter is also a must read. It is what initially opened our eyes to a whole new world and new level of planning. It has proven to be invaluable.
Client Testimonial #5:
Bill Darrough
President, Camp Timberline
Colorado
It is my great pleasure to write this letter of recommendation with regard to our experience with you and your staff at Kardia.
Several years ago I was sitting in a goose blind in northern Colorado with our mutual friend and associate, Russ Minary, and when the geese weren’t flying, your name kept coming up in our conversations. Russ had many wonderful things to say about your company and no doubt these talks led to a prolonged life for a few Canadian Geese which flew past us!
This led me to make a get acquainted call to you and, as we got to know each other and I started to understand the unique service you perform for your client families, I became convinced that this was the direction we wanted to go with our estate and Kingdom planning. So . . off we went!
Now, two years later, after spending many, many hours with you, Carl and your staff, I am amazed as I look back at the very creative and innovative plan for our estate that you have developed for our family and for Camp Timberline. This plan has emphasized our desire to see that the needs of Dana, myself and our four sons, and Camp Timberline, are taken care of and, equally important, that we are able to contribute to Christian ministries that we choose, both during and after our lives.
Most of our plan has been implemented and I continue to be amazed at the quality of customer care that you and the Kardia staff keep giving us. You have mentioned several times that Kardia represents only a few families at a time and this is very evident as we continue to receive calls, personal visits and emails from you, Carl and your staff on a several times a week basis. We are very impressed with how you care for and service your clients.
I also want to say that we gain great pleasure from knowing that your approach to our plan is so family-oriented. Dana, I and our boys are all kept in the loop, and this is the way it should be. We, as a family, have been blessed by your service to us.
Finally, I have been very impressed by the support folks you have referred us to who have helped implement our plan. I’m speaking of our attorney, stock broker, Foundation contacts and others who are consummate professionals, and who are strong believers as well. Your constant contact with these people throughout has been huge in helping get the plan implemented.
Our family has been so very blessed by you and your Kardia staff in putting together an extraordinary stewardship plan that accomplishes every single goal that we set when we had our very first meeting with you.
These kinds of letters are both easy and exciting to write as we think of other families who will be the beneficiaries of Kardia’s great service and care.
Thank you and God Bless you, Carl and your staff.
Client Testimonial #6:
Doug & Kristi Dawson
Kristi and I are honored to write this recommendation for the services Kardia has provided to us. Jay, Carl, and the staff at Kardia are simply the best. We have had
nothing but exceptional services provided for us in everything we have needed. We found professional experts that could guide us, but even more we developed relationships with Jay and his staff that provide us with the added comfort of knowing that our best interests are truly being looked after.
Our initial purpose for wanting to contact Kardia was to seek guidance in setting up a family foundation and to reduce our tax liabilities. We were hesitant to contact Kardia in the beginning, as we didn’t think we were “in the same boat” as some of their other clients. Ironically, we were looking at Kardia’s website and discovered that Kardia’s office was located a short distance from Kristi’s hometown. We just happened to be making a visit to that area the next week! Normally, Kardia comes to you, but we were able to meet with Kardia for a casual breakfast in Indiana to “feel” things out. It was clear to us that God was at work from the beginning of our relationship with Kardia and that God wasn’t going to allow our hesitancy and view of not being “wealthy enough” for Kardia to get in the way of His work. God provided the baby step we needed to get us
started. We knew during that initial meeting that this was something we would pursue. We spoke about our business and where we thought God was leading us. We also spoke a lot about family and Jay communicated to us very well how they help their families (including the kids) to develop and carry on a heart for giving.
It’s now a year and half later and we have implemented the plan Kardia put together for us. We received a comprehensive and well thought out plan that is flexible to change and can grow as our needs change. Our plan provides security and peace of mind for our family, tax savings, and an astonishing amount of money to give back to God’s Kingdom.
Finally, I would add that through Jay and staff we have been introduced to other exceptional professional advisors. Where we felt comfortable, we were able to maintain our existing relationships. However, if there was a hole or we felt we wanted to look at other options, Jay and staff were able to put us in contact with advisors who shared and respected our heart for giving.
We have no doubt that God is at work through Kardia and that as they bless us through their exceptional service; we will in turn be able to bless others in unimaginable ways, all while knowing our family is secure! Definitely a win-win situation.
Client Testimonial #7:
Glen and Lola Garrison
Our association with Kardia began when we were given a copy of Jay’s book “Getting to the Heart of the Matter.” We were intrigued by the concept of the book – maintain our present life-style, leave an appropriate amount to our heirs, substantially increase our giving to Kingdom causes, and have a financial plan we could actually understand! Shortly thereafter we made an appointment to meet with Jay.
First impressions are generally accurate and we were immediately impressed with Jay’s sincerity, knowledge, and passion for helping people get their affairs in order in an understandable, effective, Christ-centered manner. After spending a great deal of time getting to know us and where our passions lie, we were presented with a tailor-made plan that will maximize the good our funds can do for us, our children and grandchildren, and
at the same time benefit Christ centered organizations far beyond what we have ever imagined.
The Kardia staff has in-depth understanding of the legal ramifications and tax consequences of various plans, complete knowledge of all the vehicles available to use,
and valuable connections with well-established, solid Christian organizations who can implement our unique family plan. Through the entire process, each step has been thoroughly explained in layman terms so that at the end, there are no unanswered questions, dangling loop-holes, or dark corners waiting to be exposed. We still are not experts at “legal-ease” but we have every confidence that all our advisors understand our wishes and have executed documents (with others yet to come) that will fulfill our desires and stand up to legal scrutiny.
For us, one of the most rewarding aspects of working with Kardia has been that the entire family has been involved. We have no doubt that our heirs completely understand our wishes and their roles in implementing our estate plan both now and when we “relocate”.
The direction and influence we can give them now will enable them to carry on in even greater, God-honoring ways in years to come. We have truly become a closer family unit because of approaching those “unmentionable” financial topics with Kardia. Spiritually, emotionally, and financially we are stronger now than we were before uniting with them.
Something as important as how we manage the money God has entrusted to us is not a matter to be handled by legal and financial professionals who don’t have a heart for God and His work. We are so thankful to have found the Kardia family who fully understand God’s principles, helped us see how we can honor those principles with our family estate, took the time to understand our individual needs and desires, and have contacts with like- minded professionals who have the skills necessary to bring a complete family plan to fruition with accuracy and integrity. We praise God for them!
Professional Advisors Testimonial #8:
Ben Snyder CPA·ABV
Wojteczko Snyder Group, P.C.
Denver, Colorado
I have had the distinct pleasure to work with E.G. “Jay” Link and his associates at KARDIA Planning for the past few years. They have developed a Family Wealth Counseling process that is very unique and is not the traditional approach to estate planning.
As a Colorado Certified Public Accountant practicing over 34 years I’ve had multiple encounters with consultants and advisors who hold themselves out as being experts in their field. Many times this has not been the case. Often their recommendations were not sufficiently thought out or in some cases didn’t even apply. Unfortunately, this created substantial confusion and ill will with my clients. In addition, estate and wealth planning is a very dynamitic concept, which requires constant case management and follow-up. Jay and his group have set the high standards that all counselors should aspire to. His company has excelled in conducting extensive family interviews, defining the most important goals and objectives, preparing comprehensive understandable outlines, coordinating with legal counsel and following through in implementing the estate plan. Part of this process is developing a “Family Wealth Letter of Intent”, which becomes the family’s mission statement and outlines the distribution of their respective accumulated wealth. His team’s commitment to follow-up and monitoring the planning after implementation is unparalleled. The end result, the clients fully understand the plan, its underlying goals and objectives and they are excited.
Finally, KARDIA has a mission of philanthropy! What a wonderful gift to mankind. They design a wealth plan with the objective of reducing income and estate taxes in favor of charitable giving without compromising the needs for their clients.
Feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions.
Professional Advisors Testimonial #9:
James E. Link II
Shand, Newbold & Chapman, P.C.
Attorneys at Law, Durango, Colorado
The estate and financial planning arena is filled with men and women looking out for themselves instead of their clients. Further, none that I have transacted business with look to a higher calling or purpose for their work, except Kardia. Their dedication to their clients and the Lord is without comparison. Their level of technical, tax and legal expertise rivals that of many accountants and lawyers who call themselves experts. I can and do recommend their work without reservation.
Professional Advisors Testimonial #10:
Russ Minary, President
On Purpose Enterprises
Louisville, Colorado
www.onpurpose-ent.com
As a stewardship professional, I’ve referred Jay and his team to both personal friends and professional associates. I’ve seen the many positive changes that Family Wealth Counselors can have on families who have been blessed with great wealth and opportunity. Unlike most financial planners or investment advisors, these guys help their clients to view and use their wealth and resources from an eternal Biblical perspective, rather than a worldly perspective. They help people pass their faith, vision and values; not just their wealth, on to the future generations. They bring something truly different and refreshing to the financial planning world, and I recommend them without hesitation. They’re a blessing to anyone who wants to bring a Kingdom perspective to their planning and their giving.
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