04.09.21 — Jason Kaspar Interview Reflection
Interview with Jason Kaspar — CEO, Kaspar Companies
How did you end up in Shiner as CEO of Kaspar Companies?
Anyone that spends even a little bit of time around Jason Kaspar can see that he has an extremely entrepreneurial spirit. His mind works just a little differently than most other people in a room. In his current position, he oversees several companies (some of which he founded) under the single platform of Kaspar Companies, and is constantly driving innovation within each of these industries. He explained to me the three values of his company: family, stewardship and versatility (he emphasized this one). To not only remain afloat over the year, but to thrive, Jason has had to have the ability to adapt and try new things constantly to continually add value to the company. This is where Jason currently stands today, but he further explained to me the journey he took to get here.
From a very young age, Jason had fallen in love with the stock market. He recounted for me past memories of asking his high school teachers if he could use the restroom just so that he could go to the phone to call his broker to buy and trade stocks for him. Upon attending Texas A&M University, Jason was a part of programs such as CBL, Breakaway, Titans of Investing, and Aggies on Wall Street. Jason told me that he was “all about the individual corporate story.” He was in love with the parts of business that made it work, and was hungry for knowledge as he continued to grow older. This was perhaps one of the major differentiating factors between him and everyone else as he went into the workforce. After graduating, Jason worked with FTI Consulting, then spent some time in New York City where he worked with Highland Capital before he returned to Shiner to be a part of the family business. He moved back because he saw an empty canvas that he could paint his entrepreneurial mind on. Over the years, he moved up positionally until he reached CFO, then eventually CEO.
How did God lead you here and how did you learn to discern His will? How has your faith been an active part in your work-life?
Jason began to answer this question by saying, “if you are truly passionate about something and you follow it, roads will open.” He encouraged me to find this passion. Find the thing that makes me “tick”, and then chase after it with intensity. It might have been a little easier for Jason to identify this passion (since he fell in love with stocks at a young age), but the principle still stands. He told me of a time where he spent a summer overseas in college doing mission work, and the thought crossed his mind about whether or not this might be the calling that God has on His life. I often struggle with this idea of different occupations having more significance/favor in the eyes of God over others (i.e., Missions vs. Investment banking). But Jason told me that we should do what God has gifted us to do. Don’t force a square in a circular hole. We are going down the path God intended for us when we utilize our God-given gifts in our faith.
We then talked about to biblical examples of men of God who were wildly successful in “business” while also serving God-hating bosses: Joseph and Daniel. Joseph was an administrator in prison, in charge of the economy under Pharaoh, and was essentially the central banker for all of Egypt during the “years of plenty” to prepare for the “years of famine”. Joseph may have been one of the greatest businessmen of all time. In reference to Joseph’s leadership over Egypt, Jason said “a good business makes a little money in the good times, and lots of money in the bad. It is set up for longevity.” Joseph was able to honor God by providing for his people during 7 years of famine when they were hopeless and looking for safety and security. Joseph managed the resources of God for His glory. Similarly, to Joseph, Daniel was also an influential business figure in the Bible. He was the central banker of the Babylonian empire who drove their economy. Why are these two examples significant? Because if You’re truly passionate about what you do, you will be in the top 1%-3% of employees working for God-hating leaders who will then give you the freedom to act and live how you will because you are essentially indispensable (a significant value-add to the business). When you get to this point in your career, man will allow you to thrive, giving you a chance to minister on high platforms within organizations.
Jason also described the massive influence that his position within the company (and community) affords him. He is able to speak truth and love into the lives of Kaspar workers, just as he did at their big Thanksgiving meal that they shared together. He also provides jobs for the people he sees in the community of Shiner, TX, which opens the doors to impacting the faiths of countless people.
Jason ended our discussion on this question by telling me that he knew he was at peace with the place God had him because he “feels that pleasure when [he] is doing business.” He has a joy that he carries with him through the door everyday at work. He encouraged me to find a job where I will want “to get up and tap dance to work.”
How well have you balanced the demands of work, family and faith?
“If you’re risking everything you have for something more, there’s something wrong,” Jason told me. He then expanded upon this idea of debt. Kaspar companies is currently debt free and has no plans to have that change. So, if that’s the case, why would you want to risk sacrificing that to add something else to your plate? He told me that “debt is giving up security for faster consumption.” One way that he has balanced the demands of his life is by not allowing his ambition to sacrifice the good things he already has going on. As for his marriage, he didn’t get married to his wife until the age of 29. This meant that he didn’t have to sacrifice the health of his marriage in the early years of his time in New York in Dallas because he wasn’t in a relationship at the time (this wasn’t a trade-off that he had to make). He finished by telling me “if your foundation is right, it will come naturally. Just do what is in your DNA.”
How did you maximize your time at Texas A&M University? What opportunities/ experiences were transformative?
Over lunch, Jason told me that one of the greatest value-adds to his career from his time at Texas A&M University was his involvement in Aggies on Wall Street. He also told me that his double major in Finance and Accounting was incredibly valuable to him today. Understanding accounting was important for him know so that he could confidently make financial decisions for the company that could have major implications. Titans of Investing with Britt Harris was another program that Jason spoke very highly of. He said there are very little opportunities out there like the one that Britt provides students with in Titans. Finally, we talked about how he was in school and paying for classes so that he could learn from them. His education was never about getting the grade necessarily, it was about understanding what he was learning (good grades were a result of this). That being said, Jason took his studies very seriously and read every textbook and every bit of optional reading in order to grow his knowledge. He emphasized how self-discipline is an important doctrine to hold to.
A personal note to Jason:
Jason, I cannot express to you what an absolute blessing it was for me to sit and learn from you. Thank you for sacrificing your time to share some of the lessons you’ve learned during your life with me. I will be continuing to reflect over all that was shared with me. I especially enjoyed getting to walk around the warehouses with you and getting to see the nuts and bolts behind your operations. You are an incredible man of God and are adored by the community that you lead at Kaspar Companies. It was a special experience that I will not soon forget. God bless you!