In business, P&L has always meant Profit and Loss. For years, that’s the scoreboard I lived by. Every decision, every contract, every sleepless night was measured against the world’s definition of success. But over the past two decades—through challenges, faith, and transformation—I’ve come to see leadership through a very different lens.
In 2005, I co-founded Abacus Solutions Group, a federal IT services company. Like many start-ups, we faced rejection, financial strain, and the chaos of the 2008 financial crisis. I even found myself in the ER convinced I was having a heart attack. What I discovered wasn’t just physical stress—it was a heart problem, and the problem with my heart was that God wasn’t In It… My business, my identity, and my worth were wrapped entirely in profit and loss.
Then, through the quiet faithfulness of people in my life—employees, friends, my wife—I began to experience something greater. A simple “OK” to a colleague’s request to pray. A reluctant “OK” to attend a men’s retreat. Those moments changed the trajectory of my life and my business.
Over time, I realized the true bottom line isn’t measured in dollars—with God, it’s measured in People and Legacy. The people we hire, serve, and invest in. The legacy of culture, trust, and eternal impact we leave behind.
At Abacus, I’ve seen a retired schoolteacher transform a tech team; a young veteran named “Bronco” grow his career and salary from $54k to $126k in four years; and God redeem relationships with business partners we once lost. None of that shows up on a financial statement, but all of it will outlast the numbers.
Profit fades. People last. Legacy echoes in eternity. As Jesus said, “I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” (John 15:16) So, the question for leaders isn’t just “What did I make?” but “Who did I serve, and what will I leave that lasts?”
Let’s all begin to measure the eternal P&L, People and Legacy.
Shane Pulver is co-founder and CEO of Abacus Solutions Group