Leave the Number Crunching to Us

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Carrie Jean Hess, CFO of VIA Bookkeeping, located in Pagosa Springs, CO, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Small business bookkeeping and virtual CFO service. My customers are across many industries, from business coaches, consultants, screen printers, landscapers, and non-profit art organizations.

Tell us about yourself

As much as I tried to fight it, I've always been good at math, and I grew up with a father immersed in the finance industry. You could say bookkeeping is in my blood. Bookkeeping became a passion when I realized I could be more than just a standard bookkeeper to my clients. Yes, I do data entry, but I also live and breath the numbers so I can help my clients really digest the information in their financial reports to help them make informed and smart decisions about their businesses. What keeps me motivated to do this each day is that I've become a trusted advisor that clients can count on to bounce ideas off of and make decisions to grow their own passions. I love watching my clients grow their passions and find the balance between work and life.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Helping my clients navigate the ups and downs of the COVID pandemic and finally convincing them that they need budgets! In a collective effort with my clients and with the proper financial tools, I was able to find all of my clients the funding they needed to float through a very uncertain time.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

To be honest, it's all challenging, but the reward is much larger than the challenges. The biggest thing for me has been finding that work-life balance. I tend to put work first and forget about my own well-being at times. Finding that balance has been the key in the last few years.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

Plan and prepare: write a business plan and do a budget.
Believe in yourself. It can be scary to put yourself out there, but it's well worth it, and you can do it!
Hire a bookkeeper! Understanding your numbers is key to maintaining and growing your business and keeping your sanity!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.viabookkeeping.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viabookkeeping/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viabookkeeping/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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