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If You Have the Ability to Help People, You Help Them, with Patrick Cullen, Episode #10
Anyone could tell you that while business owners and leaders are eager to serve their customers, they also feel the need to produce greater and greater profit for their company. But you’re about to meet a man who thinks differently about that assumption. Patrick Cullen has been leading The Bank of Cattaraugus for many years, and the bank sometimes only makes $5,000 in profit in a year. But profit is not why Patrick there. That’s not why the bank is there. He says the bank’s purpose is to help the local people. Period. And they do. You’ll get to hear from this amazing businessman who takes a different approach to his business, on this episode of The Critical Shift.
Above all things, always be good and you will always be happy.When Patrick Cullen was in college he was impacted in many ways by his instructors. But one of the most impacting things he remembers came in the form of a sermon, given by one of the priests at his school, St. Bonaventure University. The phrase Patrick will never forget is this: “Above all things, always be good and you will always be happy.” The statement was so meaningful to Patrick, he’s lived his life by it. On this episode, you’ll hear Patrick explain why he runs his bank differently than most and how he has done everything he can to help his community. His heart and concern for people far outweigh his desire to run a profitable business and you’ll hear why on this episode.
I like helping people because I can. And I see so many people who can and don’t. ~ Patrick CullenIt’s inconceivable to Patrick Cullen why a person with the ability to help another would not do it. In his mind, that’s what we have been blessed for - to use those blessings in the service of others. He’s not interested in piling up profits for his bank when the money can be used to help the people of his local community instead. So that’s what he does. Patrick is a living example of the Golden Rule in action: “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.” You’ll be encouraged and challenged by the uncommon approach to business Patrick takes - and you can hear him explain it on this episode of The Critical Shift.
Why would I retire from helping people? ~ Patrick CullenWhen Patrick Cullen is asked if he has plans to retire from his role as President of Cattaraugus Bank, he looks puzzled. “Why would I retire from helping people. I love what I do.” That’s a refreshing perspective in a world where everybody seems eager to lay down their work sooner rather than later. But Patrick is not your ordinary businessman. He’s not getting rich monetarily, and neither is his bank, but he’s rich in another way - in the satisfaction of knowing he’s truly doing something to make the lives of people better.
When you have the ability to help people, you help them. ~ Patrick CullenPatrick Cullen has a simple philosophy, about life and business. When you have the ability to help people, you help them - and he takes that approach very literally when it comes to the way he does business in his community. Find out why he’s willing to make little to no profit each year and what it has to do with the purpose of the bank he leads by listening to this great episode.
Outline of This Episode- [0:23] Patrick Cullen: Tom’s Dad and his different approach to doing business.
- [2:07] The fascination Patrick has about the area where he lives.
- [7:22] Why finance became Patrick’s chosen major in college.
- [11:36] The underlying lessons taken from his college years.
- [15:04] This history of The Bank of Cattaraugus is about people, not profit.
- [18:44] Volunteers coming together to tell the story of the area through a museum.
- [22:20] How becoming an Eagle Scout was transformative for Patrick.
- [28:20] Carrying on a legacy of perseverance and determination from his father.
- https://www.bankofcattaraugus.com/
- Nicest banker in America post on Huffington Post
- Rafael Sabatini
- Robert A. Heinlein
- St. Bonaventure University
- New York Times article about Patrick
- The American Museum of Cutlery
- Colonel Robert Scott of the Flying Tigers
- https://launchpadlab.com/
- On Instagram
- On Twitter
- On Facebook
- On LinkedIn
View all episodes
By Tom Cullen of LaunchPad LabAnyone could tell you that while business owners and leaders are eager to serve their customers, they also feel the need to produce greater and greater profit for their company. But you’re about to meet a man who thinks differently about that assumption. Patrick Cullen has been leading The Bank of Cattaraugus for many years, and the bank sometimes only makes $5,000 in profit in a year. But profit is not why Patrick there. That’s not why the bank is there. He says the bank’s purpose is to help the local people. Period. And they do. You’ll get to hear from this amazing businessman who takes a different approach to his business, on this episode of The Critical Shift.
Above all things, always be good and you will always be happy.When Patrick Cullen was in college he was impacted in many ways by his instructors. But one of the most impacting things he remembers came in the form of a sermon, given by one of the priests at his school, St. Bonaventure University. The phrase Patrick will never forget is this: “Above all things, always be good and you will always be happy.” The statement was so meaningful to Patrick, he’s lived his life by it. On this episode, you’ll hear Patrick explain why he runs his bank differently than most and how he has done everything he can to help his community. His heart and concern for people far outweigh his desire to run a profitable business and you’ll hear why on this episode.
I like helping people because I can. And I see so many people who can and don’t. ~ Patrick CullenIt’s inconceivable to Patrick Cullen why a person with the ability to help another would not do it. In his mind, that’s what we have been blessed for - to use those blessings in the service of others. He’s not interested in piling up profits for his bank when the money can be used to help the people of his local community instead. So that’s what he does. Patrick is a living example of the Golden Rule in action: “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.” You’ll be encouraged and challenged by the uncommon approach to business Patrick takes - and you can hear him explain it on this episode of The Critical Shift.
Why would I retire from helping people? ~ Patrick CullenWhen Patrick Cullen is asked if he has plans to retire from his role as President of Cattaraugus Bank, he looks puzzled. “Why would I retire from helping people. I love what I do.” That’s a refreshing perspective in a world where everybody seems eager to lay down their work sooner rather than later. But Patrick is not your ordinary businessman. He’s not getting rich monetarily, and neither is his bank, but he’s rich in another way - in the satisfaction of knowing he’s truly doing something to make the lives of people better.
When you have the ability to help people, you help them. ~ Patrick CullenPatrick Cullen has a simple philosophy, about life and business. When you have the ability to help people, you help them - and he takes that approach very literally when it comes to the way he does business in his community. Find out why he’s willing to make little to no profit each year and what it has to do with the purpose of the bank he leads by listening to this great episode.
Outline of This Episode- [0:23] Patrick Cullen: Tom’s Dad and his different approach to doing business.
- [2:07] The fascination Patrick has about the area where he lives.
- [7:22] Why finance became Patrick’s chosen major in college.
- [11:36] The underlying lessons taken from his college years.
- [15:04] This history of The Bank of Cattaraugus is about people, not profit.
- [18:44] Volunteers coming together to tell the story of the area through a museum.
- [22:20] How becoming an Eagle Scout was transformative for Patrick.
- [28:20] Carrying on a legacy of perseverance and determination from his father.
- https://www.bankofcattaraugus.com/
- Nicest banker in America post on Huffington Post
- Rafael Sabatini
- Robert A. Heinlein
- St. Bonaventure University
- New York Times article about Patrick
- The American Museum of Cutlery
- Colonel Robert Scott of the Flying Tigers
- https://launchpadlab.com/
- On Instagram
- On Twitter
- On Facebook
- On LinkedIn