Hampshire Businessman Lives and Works by the Golden Rule
By: Jeanie Mayer (Photo Courtesy of Matt & Marina Krueger)
Whether you are planning for retirement, looking for tax guidance, seeking investment or insurance options or estate planning or business advice, Krueger & Associates Tax & Business Advisory offers the expertise and solutions you need to succeed.
With 1600 clients on the books, Matt Krueger believes helping people prepare for their future is of utmost importance.
“One quote I share is, ‘Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.’ I like it when someone comes in stressed-out and walks out stress-free because we helped them understand their financial or tax situation,” Krueger said.
Matt began his accounting career working for large firms like Deloitte in Chicago and later Rubbermaid in Freeport. It was on the long commute to and from his job, alone with his thoughts, that he began dreaming of his own tax accounting business.
He said he was in a “bad place” with his health and relationships, and feared what might happen if he tried to follow his dreams.
“I would get depressed listening to the news on the radio, so I switched to A.M. 1160, Chrisitan talk radio, and was encouraged by the preachers and the Good News of God,” he said.
Matt said he learned to step out in faith and worked to develop his relationship with God and other people in his life.
“I learned how to develop better habits in life and am seeing the rewards of that today,” he said.
Health Crisis Breeds Faith and Fire
In 2004, Matt had 6 stents placed I his heart due to a genetic predisposition to cholesterol.
“It put gas on the fire to start a family and start the business because I knew my life could be short,” he said.
The Kruegers stepped out in faith and began building their own accounting business, taking on new clients and incorporating the business. Both he and his wife, Marina, prepared tax returns after hours, on nights and weekends, to build up their client base.
In 2013, Matt died while playing basketball and was revived by bystanders who were there on the scene. Both of these life-threatening incidents helped Matt to strengthen his faith and inspired him to take action in his life.
Today, Matt continues to operate his business by the Golden Rule; treating people the way he would want to be treated.
Matt said he enjoys working with clients on estate planning, insurance and investments, helping them build their portfolio or nest egg.
“As I have gotten older, I realize the importance of diversifying investments and how important planning is because money tends to evaporate, especially with rising costs and inflation,” Matt said.
Roots Run Deep in Hampshire
Matt and Marina were both raised in Hampshire and met in kindergarten at Hampshire Elementary. They were sweethearts through middle and high school, as well as through college. The couple married in 2001 and have 6 children ranging in age from 2 to 22. Their oldest daughter was adopted from Ukraine in 2015.
Matt loves being part of the Hampshire community and is very involved with his children’s sports, volunteering as coach, and playing music at his church and at local coffee shops and wine bars.
Matt remains a true “farm kid” having purchased a home and farm in Genoa where he raises cows, pigs, chickens and horses. His children are in 4-H and help work the farm all summer long. The pumpkins and vegetables they produce are sold at a farm stand on Route 23 and Melms Road.
“The kids work (the stand), and it helps pay for their college expenses,” Matt said.
A Great Team at Krueger & Associates
Long-time staff and long-time clients are the hallmark of a great company. Krueger Tax enjoys both of these criteria.
“We are blessed to have some of the same people working here since the very beginning. We have long-time staff and long-time clients,” Matt said.
“I couldn’t do it without God, my employees and my wife, Marina, who has supported my dream of having the business and a family,” he said.
About This Business
Name: Krueger & Associates Tax & Business Advisory
Owner: Matt Krueger
Number of Employees: 10
Address: 103 N State Street, Hampshire
Phone: (847) 683-2500
Website: www.KruegerTax.com