Long before I had my own company helping entrepreneurs I was an overworked, underpaid employee. I spent my days building someone else’s empire when the truth was I had big dreams for myself, huge dreams to be honest. I often worked 12 hour days and most weeks 6 days in a row.
I was exhausted and overwhelmed but I had my eye on the prize. I knew that the experience I was getting was priceless and worth the long days and sleepless nights.
I understand entrepreneurs because I am one.
My entrepreneurial journey began back in 2008. I started a photography business with a dear friend of mine who is insanely talented, all of the images on my website and social media are from her:)
Our plan was simple, she was the creative and I ran the “back office”. We dove in headfirst and immediately started booking weddings. Within the first year, we were able to purchase all new equipment and take a small paycheck for ourselves.
Her stunning pictures kept customers happy and my streamlined process and systems kept us happy. But as we grew older the weekend commitments were no longer conducive to our family lifestyles and eventually our spark faded.
So back to the drawing board I went. And once again I jumped in head first opening two quick-service restaurant franchises. Still scared to bet on myself I kept my day job. About 6 months into my new venture I realized that I had gone from an overworked underpaid employee to an overworked underpaid franchisee with one big difference, as an employee I got paid, as a franchisee. I was losing money, and fast.
After the first year I was completely out of funds and had to take another business loan.
I vowed to myself that I would never allow this to happen again. So I hired a consultant and began the arduous journey of understanding my numbers. I learned how to read a profit and loss statement, how to interpret a balance sheet and how to analyze my KPIs.
Armed with my newfound knowledge I began to examine my business through a new financial lens. The results were not only quick but completely exceeded my expectations. Within three years I paid off $160,000.00 in loans!
This accomplishment left me obsessed with numbers and analysis and I wanted, no I needed, to share what I had learned with my fellow entrepreneurs. So, I began volunteering at the local Women’s Business Center teaching classes on financial literacy.
And guess what?
It lit my soul on fire!
And for the first time, I was ready to bet on me.
I found my true calling and realized I couldn’t allow anything else to distract me.
Within one year, I quit my job, sold both restaurants and began my Virtual CFO Services.
I am on a mission to eliminate entrepreneurial poverty and empower business owners to understand their finances and take their profits to the next level!
