Hi I'm LIZ
Thanks for being curious!
The Geek in Me!
I absolutely love to help entrepreneurs to understand the money part of their business, including the systems and processes. It was when I began training clients’ staff members that I realized teaching was where I found real joy.
After graduating from a business high school, I gained much of my training while working with accounting firms like Thorne, Ernst & Whinney (one of the top 7 accounting firms).
In 1993, I decided to head off on entrepreneurship when it became apparent my growth was being stunted as an employee. I knew I could do more, so my entrepreneurial journey began.
Advertising my new business using a printed flyer resulted in one new client. The rest of my clients have come through word of mouth. When you treat your clients well and provide top-quality service, clients brag about you to their friends and associates; they become your greatest fans! As I worked with clients in the early years, I found myself setting up and optimizing their business systems, providing HR and managerial services and even a little IT work (okay, not a little, quite a bit actually).
Becoming a single mom at 32, I embraced my entrepreneurship and welcomed the flexibility, better time management and greater financial opportunities.
Sharing Knowledge
After a 7 year journey with GradUit, the original Founder, Melanie Hayden-Sparks, announced she was ready to retire and step away from GradUit. My reaction was “GradUit can’t stop, this stuff changed my life!”
My friend and mentor, Penny Lee Prevost and I shared with Melanie how we couldn’t let it die. We had witnessed how the skills and strategies had changed so many lives, including our own. We wanted to continue what she started. With her love and support (and continued mentoring) we are carrying on her work through GradUit Thrivers Inc. which is more than just skills and strategies that improve your life in business and personally, it’s accountability, support and a community of positive change.
As I realized my potential and my true purpose, I realized I find so much joy in teaching, sharing knowledge and experiences with others. My bookkeeping practice has shifted away from bookkeeping and towards training entrepreneurs the business financial literacy piece that so many struggle with. Watching entrepreneurs move from overwhelm and stress to calm, confident and yes, even excited, fills my heart.
My Family
My mom has been my greatest influence. She has taught me the importance of being involved in our community, creating change and believing we have a choice in how we live our lives. She has always been a shining example of what it means to care for members of our community, including our extended family members. My mom was a living example of “Feel the Fear…. and Do It Anyway”. Life is about change and choices and moving forward. Collaborating with amazing people I meet I help organize clothing drives, support charities that grant wishes and create events that celebrate the lives of single parents and children.
I am an educator, mentor, entrepreneur, daughter, mom, grandma and friend.
I believe creating a positive community of support, be it professionally, personally or paternally, can only be a great thing!
