Building Service Inc.

Building Service Inc. (BSI), a commercial office solutions company, found the banking partner it needed in Johnson Financial Group. CEO Jim Kuehn chose JFG for its flexibility, transparency and willingness to take a calculated risk on a new venture: SmartSpaces. SVP of Commercial Banking, Brian Hillstrom helped roadmap the company's growth and has stayed invested every step of the way.

In this testimonial:

0:00 – 0:32: About Building Service Inc.
0:33 – 1:13: JFG’s Flexibility and Commitment
1:14 – 1:55: Roadmapping the Launch of SmartSpaces
1:56 – 2:24: A Partner Who Believes In Your Business

For Jim Kuehn, innovation is not a strategy. It is simply how BSI operates. When he made the decision to spin off SmartSpaces as its own standalone venture, he needed a bank that could think the same way.

"Innovative, organic, it's just part of our culture, it's in our DNA," said Jim. "And we've been like that all the way to this day when we spun off SmartSpaces. So we're willing to take risks."

Taking risks requires the right people behind you. For Jim, that person is Brian Hillstrom and the commercial banking team at Johnson Financial Group.

How Did BSI Find the Right Banking Partner?

The office market is not static. Through every shift, Johnson Financial Group remains a steady partner for its clients.

"The office is constantly changing," said Brian. "And that means we have to change with it — helping our customers deal with all those changes."

That adaptability is what separates JFG from larger institutions. Brian puts it plainly: "One of the things I think we excel at is being flexible. We can pivot and we can provide aspects of what a customer needs that the larger organizations probably aren't willing to do."

For Jim, that flexibility was exactly what he needed when building something new.

What Does a Real Banking Partnership Actually Look Like?

Jim knew JFG was serious early on. When the bank's full team came out to learn the business in person, it sent a clear signal.

"When they brought their whole team in… I thought, okay, this is a bank who's committed to what they're doing with us, who really wants to work with us and understand our business," said Jim.

That commitment runs in both directions. Brian credits Jim's transparency as a defining part of the relationship. "Certainly, a banking partnership is based off a lot of sharing of information. He does a fantastic job of sharing financial statements and forecasts and things that help us roadmap where the business is going."

How Did JFG Help Launch the SmartSpaces Venture?

When the decision was made to launch SmartSpaces, JFG did not just process the transaction. They helped architect the path forward. "We figured out a way to roadmap it that BSI would support SmartSpaces' growth as well," said Brian. "And it would allow the bank to get more flexible and more aggressive with what we could offer."

For Jim, that kind of engagement meant something deeper than financing. It meant JFG was willing to share in the risk. "They're assessing the risk… and I think it says a lot that they're willing to take a little more risk with us to help launch this venture called SmartSpaces. And I'm really glad they did."

For Brian, the reward is watching what comes next. "There's nothing more rewarding than seeing the success and growth of an organization."

What Does It Mean to Have a Bank That Believes in Your Plan?

Today, Jim runs SmartSpaces with the confidence that comes from knowing exactly who is in his corner. "I have a partner behind me who knows the plan, believes in the plan and is willing to finance that plan."

That stability, he says, is what allows him to stay focused on what matters most.

"If you're constantly scraping or worrying about the bank, you can't focus on growing your business. And that's why you need to have a trusted partner like JFG. That's what I have."

If you are building something new and need a banking partner willing to understand your vision and grow alongside you, the conversation with Johnson Financial Group’s Commercial Banking team is worth having. Connect with an advisor today.