Three years ago this week, Price Turner CFOs was officially incorporated (although, at the time, the company had another name.) What a whirlwind it’s been!  As a business owner and manager, you’ll probably relate to some of the ups and downs I’ve endured. So sharing this journey is my way of saying “I understand!”After you’ve read this, please share your story with us – we want to hear your whirlwind business tales, too!

New territory.

The year prior to my incorporating, I was laid off by my corporate employer. At the time I was recently divorced and living in a new home (with a large mortgage). Plus, I had 2 kids in college. To say the least I was motivated to stay on my feet. But reading the corporate job listings gave me an uneasy, icky feeling. The truth is, I wanted – and needed – to do something different. So I trusted my instincts and asked, “How can I use what I know to help people and work for myself?”  

Before long, clients were coming my way. I started by paying monthly bills and balancing budgets for the elderly. Then while at the park one day with my dog, I met someone and helped her by cleaning up her small business’ QuickBooks records.  Not long after, I helped a family business complete all the forms for a new business, also setting up a payroll system for an employee in Canada (something I had experience with from my corporate years).

It was official – I was in business. As the months flew by, I realized that my clients needed financial assistance in even more areas, and that I had the know-how to provide it. So I expanded the services I offered and changed the company name so it made more sense for my business clients. Along with the new name, Price Turner CFOs, came an investment in a great new website, social media campaigns, and the beginnings of a support staff.

New services I added helped me to serve more kinds of clients, from small to mid-size businesses. I added Chief Financial Officer services, transactional bookkeeping, financial reporting, cash flow analysis, budgeting, projections and business strategizing. As clients asked for more, I started offering productivity solutions including everything from process improvement and cash flow processing to expense/debt reduction analyses and revenue strategies.  

Building a team.

As the business grew, I quickly realized that I couldn’t do it all. Today I have a full staff to help with everything from administrative work and client services to scheduling my networking and speaking events. My virtual assistant handles admin, my social media guru keeps my business’ messages alive, my bookkeepers serve my clients both remotely and on site, and my analysts assist with budgets and forecasting, pricing structures, customer profitability and more. I also have an Operations Manager who manages the technology that keeps the team working efficiently and productively. The Chief Financial Officer role I’ve kept for myself. I love meeting with clients, helping to expand their business and ensure that the money they earn stays in the business and isn’t spent on unnecessary expenses or taxes.

No one said it would be easy.

It hasn’t always been a walk in the park. I admit there were times that I almost gave up and started looking for another corporate job.  At times I had to dip into savings (but never my retirement accounts). At times I made bad decisions – but I’ve always learned from them and quickly repaired unwanted outcomes. I’ve hired and fired employees and clients alike.  

But whatever the challenges, I love the independence that comes with running my own business. I’m able to work when I want and I set my priorities based on the right combination of my clients’ needs and my own. During this past holiday season, I was free to spend a lot of time with my family. When I had a corporate job, that just wasn’t the case. If I want to take four weeks of vacation throughout the year, I can because I have a team behind me to make sure my clients are cared for when I’m gone.

Let’s keep moving forward – together.

I hope this month’s newsletter brings back some of your own good (and maybe not so good) memories from back when your business was brand new. If it does, then you’ll understand how grateful I am for clients and supporters like you. Thank you for being there for me over the past three years, helping Price Turner CFOs to grow. I don’t know for sure where 2015 will take the company, but I plan for it to be even bigger and better.  Let’s make the journey together!