You see, my story is one that resonates with many other professionals of my era, but is also unique. Everyone was encouraged to go to College, get a degree, and be successful. Oh I definitely dreamed of one day being the first in my family to go to college, but I also knew I did not have the financial resources to do so. My parents helped as much as they could, but it put so much undue financial strain on them, that I decided to withdrawal from college after my second year.
That’s when I went to work in the Corporate world, and capitalized on every opportunity I could to learn about accounting. I took free classes, accounting certifications, learned software that would help (Lotus, Excel, Microsoft, QuickBooks), asked many questions from my employers and mentors, researched and learned on my own when it made sense.
After spending my first 5 years in the Banking industry, our jobs were eliminated, so it forced me to look for another position. I was fortunate enough to be hired at a local family owned company that needed an Accounts Payable Specialist.
I quickly worked my way up the corporate ladder over the next 10-12 years–Payroll Specialist, Financial Analyst, Accounting Supervisor, Operations Manager, and then Controller. I was also a part of our Strategic Planning & Leadership Team during the last 15 years of my employment. My time spent there was an extremely valuable experience for me. I worked for an Owner that had multiple Master’s Degrees in Finance and Accounting, and lucky for me, he valued me as a person and saw my potential, and believed in my abilities. He saw my desire to learn and grow and be the best I could be for myself, my family and for his company–so he kept giving me more and more until I became his right hand in all things finance and Accounting.
My background includes significant roles in business leadership positions including Financial Analyst, Supervisor, Operations Manager and Controller. This experience gives me a unique set of skills and perspective that help me advise business owners on a variety of issues including business strategy, business development, leadership, operational and management issues. Having sat in your chair, I see the needs of businesses from the owner’s perspective.
During my 25 years with this employer, I saw first-hand how he lead an (at the time), average service company with two new divisions and new leadership members to be a top notch stellar service company. He lead his company and team to be a top competitor against National Chain companies and achieved stellar growth with 3rd and 4th generation family members to catapult a small town family owned company into the National spotlight. Not only did this company excel at growing revenue and profits, but they achieved the highest Customer satisfaction rating ever recorded by Market Measurement’s 30 years of market research experience. This accolade helped create a Raving Fan Professional Service Business that has remained in operation for 90+ years. That is a true Leader & Mentor, and I had the priviledge to learn from and have access to him and my other Executive Team Member’s, every day for 25 years! As a Team, and with his guidance and leadership, we helped his Company grow to the level it is today, which is a Multi-million dollar company that invests in it’s employees and customers.
I now get to share this experience, training and knowledge with new start-up’s, and other small business owners that need this kind of mentorship, leadership and guidance. Most small business owners like you, do not have the financial means or resources to hire someone with this caliber of expertise, experience and consulting. It’s my goal to bring Accounting/CFO/Strategic Planning skills to the smaller business owner, at an affordable monthly investment, so they too can grow their business to the level they envision.
Education is very important to me, and even more so because I was not able to obtain the skills I desired, through normal educational degrees and resources. This is a core piece of our vision as we serve our Client’s; if we are not educated and experienced, and laser focused on serving others first–it will be difficult for us to give “Raving Fan” Client support.
Therefore, as part of giving back to the Community, I partner with & hire College Accounting students and graduates to fulfill their internship responsibilities. These students now more than ever, need mentors in their life that believe in their abilities and skills and can offer them an opportunity to serve others with passion. The experience of working in multiple business industries, helps them build connections that can further develop their Accounting and business leadership skills and teaches them about Entrepreneurship.
I want them to know that they do not have to settle for being the lowest man on the ladder, there is an opportunity to do more if they choose to do so. I want them to feel valued, empowered, self-confident, and creative, so they can build on their knowledge, problem solving, strategic & critical thinking skills. Not only will this help our Clients grow, it will fuel my Team’s own desire and ambition to maybe be their own Boss one day!
