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Photo by Shannon Lee Zirkle
Megan and Steven Root have started Collected Roots, a business that preserves a loved one’s stories in a hard-bound album. The Roots transcribe the stories and use voice recognition software to create a Word file, which is the basis for the album. |
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Brunswick -- A couple's plans for a family has led to a business that helps people preserve loved ones' stories in their own words.Brunswick residents Megan and Steven Root want to have children. Their new business, Collected Roots, is a way for Megan to stay home and earn some money. Often, memories of a loved one are lost within two generations, and the stories are changed so they may no longer resemble actual events, Megan said. The new business allows people to talk about whatever they want, and the Roots preserve the memories in a hard-bound family heirloom that contains a written record of loved ones' stories for future generations. Collected Roots is a niche market business, the couple said. "We brainstormed with family and friends," Megan said. "We considered videotaping, but everyone can videotape with today's technology. Books never go out of date." The couple researched their idea and found that hardly anyone is doing what they had planned to do, Steven Root said. Pre-planning funerals is becoming more commonplace, Megan said. For that reason, the couple is contacting assisted-living facilities and funeral homes for potential customers. Megan takes the initial calls and sets up appointments for Steve. Family members meet with him to develop a rapport, then discuss what questions would produce the best recollections, he said. The questions also give the person time to consider answers before Steve comes by for a second visit for the actual transcribing. After the transcription is completed, Steve listens to the words. He will repeat the client's words out loud and, through voice-recognition software, create a digital record. The Roots edit only their own questions. The client's recollections are produced verbatim, complete with mannerisms and grammar left untouched. "Families tell us that when they read the memories, it sounds just like the loved one," Steve said. The Roots proof the document on the computer file and on paper. Once the work is done, the customer receives three books and a digital copy of the book, either on CD or via e-mail. The Roots can customize the books and can also make extra copies.
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