SPOTLIGHT: Christian Guitarist Turned Funeral Banker: Tim Bridgers’ Unlikely Path to the Funeral Profession
In this exclusive spotlight, we delve into the captivating journey of Tim Bridgers, SVP of funeral home lending at Live Oak Bank. Tim is a seasoned professional whose diverse experiences have shaped his unique perspective on the funeral industry. Over the past seven to eight years, Tim has built professional relationships, formed deep friendships with colleagues and peers and demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the funeral profession, a commitment that transcends business boundaries.
Tim’s dynamic personality shines through as he describes himself as ‘type A,’ constantly driven by the desire to add value to every aspect of his life and those around him. With a background in athletics and a passion for music, Tim’s journey took an unexpected turn, from pursuing a career in basketball to finding his calling as a singer and rhythm guitarist for Christian bands. His diverse background in music and athletics laid the foundation for his comfort in public speaking and reassures his ability to connect with funeral directors and small business owners through his educational content and funeral profession expertise.
Transitioning from music to business ownership, Tim ran training studios for eleven years, driven by his love for athletics. His training career eventually led him to Live Oak Bank, where he initially began in the fitness program. After seeing the bank’s commitment to fostering a supportive and healthy work environment for its employees and an unwavering commitment to its customers, Live Oak is where he found a new passion for helping small business owners thrive.
Tim was drawn to the funeral service profession when he transitioned to a banking role. He recognized a need for small business owners to understand financial strategies and leverage their resources effectively. His background in business ownership and expertise in funeral business financials enabled him to create educational content tailored to the unique challenges faced by funeral directors, emphasizing the importance of accountability and support in running a successful business. During his time as a lender, Tim also completed his master’s in business administration, enabling him to be a trusted guide for funeral businesses.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Tim’s love for the outdoors and passion for farming have fulfilled him as a pine and fallow deer farmer. Despite initial skepticism from others due to his clean-cut appearance, Tim’s dedication to stewardship and maximizing his property’s potential has earned him respect within the farming community.
Tim’s faith, a guiding force in his life since a prophecy his grandmother shared when he was twelve, is a testament to his values. He attributes his successes to divine guidance and strives to live a life that brings glory to God in all that he does, instilling a sense of trust in his funeral director and small business owner customers. Because of Tim’s values, he quickly found a home at Live Oak, where one of their core tenets is to “treat every customer like the only customer.”
Reflecting on his experiences at Live Oak Bank, Tim highlights the importance of the bank’s emphasis on exercise and self-care, as well as putting the customer first, which contributes to a vibrant and energetic work culture. He also acknowledges the evolving landscape of the funeral profession, with a growing focus on growth through acquisition and succession planning and an embrace of innovation in product offerings and methods of disposition. While Tim’s journey has a few twists and turns, it is evident that each step helped position him for his current role in helping funeral professionals understand their financials and access the funds needed to achieve their dreams.
To connect with Tim, visit liveoakbank.com/funeral or email him at tim.bridgers@liveoak.bank.
