Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Sites.
Hi Anna, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I was at a job that I thought I would be in for the rest of my life (had been for many years), and then it ended. Kind of abruptly and without much warning. Not knowing what to do, I thought, “What do you know, Anna?” I know bookkeeping, well I thought I did. After making the decision to start my own bookkeeping business, I got a book about it and started making plans. Worked as a bartender part-time and with a CPA. Quickly figuring out that I only knew one industry really. There are a lot more out there with many differences and many other things I didn’t know about bookkeeping. I was self-taught and needed more education, so I found the AIPB and started working on my certification.
With the experience I gained working with a solo CPA after two years, it was time to go out on my own. That was scary, but I was blessed with my own clients very quickly. Since then, I continue to be blessed with wonderful small business owners that need my help. Growing to just shy of 100 clients now and building a team to continue that growth. Being an employer now is almost mind-boggling from where I started.
I get such joy out of serving our clients. Helping them understand their financials and relieving their stress, so they can grow their businesses is more than satisfying. Cleaning up books is a big part of my passion. The smiles I witness after cleaning up a mess of books – you can’t put a price on it.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not always easy. Making the right decisions on how to grow, how to price, how to manage contractors, and now employees. All while keeping the quality of our service intact. Also, figuring out how to move on from a mistake or a bad decision. Just have to make the best of it.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
We are a bookkeeping firm servicing small businesses. Our clients range but other service industries mostly, and have grown our law firm portion considerably over the last couple of years. We understand trust accounting – how it works, how it needs to be recorded, and the details needed to manage it accurately on the books. Along with how the accounting and law firm software work together. Being very hands-on, personable, and available to our clients sets us apart. Making sure they understand their financials, not just sending them a P&L. Meeting to go over them one on one monthly, so they can make smart decisions with accurate and timely data for their business.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
If you don’t have a plan, make one. If you have one, keep updating it. Revising it. Find a mentor. I have started mentoring a lovely young woman starting her own bookkeeping business. People want to pass along their knowledge and mistakes more than you know. Make sure to forgive yourself and move on when something doesn’t go right. If it was easy, everyone would do it. Find a great networking group too.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.velvetbookkeeping.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetbookkeeping/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/velvetbookkeeping/
