When starting a business, ambition isn’t everything. You must cultivate and understand your ‘why’ or your passion. Finding success will often prove difficult without a passion because that unwavering enthusiasm will give you the determination to make your dream come true, no matter what obstacles arise on your journey toward achieving greatness. With every new venture, it pays off to ask yourself: What is my purpose?

 

Jeannine Breedlove had a vision, which she put into action with her unstoppable passion for saving lives. Bob Hardy shares the incredible story of how Jeannine created Grace Abounds Rescue Mission, an influential non-profit striving to do good in this world every single day. 

What prompted you to start using FINSYNC?

We were looking at buying software and using local bookkeepers, but Lead Institute was a FINSYNC customer before they merged with Orchard, a faith-based non-profit in Atlanta. Orchard advises those who are interested in starting similar non-profits, and eventually, they ended up recommending this platform for our organization.

 

Do you have a financial institution connected to FINSYNC?

Most of our transactions go through our synced business checking account. Jeannine will go into the platform and categorize the transactions. This automatically syncs and is very simple to use.

 

Tell me about your company.

I am the Treasurer of a local non-profit organization called Grace Abounds Rescue Mission, which was started by Jeannine Breedlove. In the summer of 2021, Jeannine had a secure job as a children’s ministry director. She got to know one of the kid’s mothers that were involved with the ministry and were fighting a battle with drug addiction. This young mother was in a terrible cycle of going to rehab and then using drugs again over and over. Sadly, this woman was in a fatal traffic accident that cost her her life and left her children without support. 

Jeannine decided to do something about this. So she quit her day job without a life jacket and lived off her savings, eventually starting Grace Abounds. This is a two-year residential life and spiritual recovery program for women in the county. We now have a nice house in town, and the women are doing great. 

 

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a small business owner?

In the beginning, the challenge was not to reinvent the wheel. Jeannine had a friend in California who ran a similar program, and she created Grace Abounds, which was similar to what was working for them. 

Fundraising is always a challenge for non-profits. Unfortunately, the need for support is there in our community. We have slowly created recognition. Jeannine has given us legs, and we are now thriving. We are very grateful to Jeannine and this ministry. 

 

What are the biggest benefits your business has experienced using FINSYNC?

Simplicity. I am not an accountant by training, but FINSYNC was easy to navigate credit and debits and a financial management system. We found it to be very time efficient and easy to use. 

 

Have you utilized FINSYNC’s customer service?

Yes, your customer support is another strength for us. They are very effective and patient in helping us get set up and use the system. Since then, we have had very few issues, but if we do, they respond very quickly. 

 

How has FINSYNC saved you time?

One of the most important benefits we get from our FINSYNC  relationship is the handling of our payroll and all federal and state payroll withholding and tax reporting. With the FINSYNC payroll processing system, it is incredibly easy and inexpensive!

 

What advice do you have for those thinking about owning their own business?

If anyone is thinking about starting a faith-based non-profit, check out Orchard. Between FINSYNC and Orchard, we are able to touch the lives of people directly in our community. 

 

 

With FINSYNC, your payment transactions are updated in real-time as you run your business. Take control of your cash flow management today!

Customer success stories are an essential marketing tool for any business. They provide insight into customer experiences, demonstrate customer trust and loyalty, and can showcase customer advocates who genuinely believe in the potential of a product or service. 

 

Learn how to unlock powerful insights for your business by leveraging customer success stories. This article demonstrates the advantages of weaving these testimonials into your marketing strategy and gives step-by-step guidance on creating ones that drive conversions and build strong relationships with customers.

 

Advantages

Customers have an intimate knowledge of a product or service and can provide valuable insights beyond what a business can offer. As such, obtaining a customer success story is a powerful marketing strategy. Here are some compelling reasons why you should strive to create these today.

 

Building trust

Many customers want proof that a product or service can help them achieve their desired success. For this, customer success stories can be invaluable in building trust. By highlighting how your product or service has helped other customers, you show potential customers that your offering is worth their investment and provides tangible results. This serves to bolster customer confidence and drive more people to sign up for your product or service. 

Demonstrating value

What are the product benefits? How will it make your life easier? What perks are associated with the purchase? The answers to these questions can help convince potential customers to choose your business over competitors. Demonstrating the level of value shows how a particular product or service has positively impacted different customers. 

Humanizing your brand

To truly capture customer interest, it helps to humanize your brand. Crafting testimonials that feature real people and their experiences with your product can help bridge this connection. This effective method makes customer engagement more personal and genuine. Such stories put a face and identity to the customer journey of using your brand. 

Moreover, these customer stories build trust around your brand by making it more relatable and highlighting individual achievements in real-life scenarios. A customer-led approach is sure to attract potential customers, solidifying loyalty and helping to extend the reach of your business further.

Generating publicity

As a customer-focused business, you must let your audience know when there have been successes and victories. After all, customer loyalty is the basis of any successful business. Posting customer success stories on your website and social media is a great way to generate publicity and attract new clients. It shows that your services achieve the desired results, promote customer satisfaction, and can expand brand awareness.

Getting Started

• Tap into the power of word-of-mouth marketing by inquiring with your current customers about their experiences. Start out with a customer survey and ask your users if they would be willing to do an interview. Or sometimes, a simple email or post on LinkedIn could make it easy to start a conversation. Remember, you are also helping them by boosting their brand and potentially increasing site traffic.
• Before you spread the good news of a customer success story, remember to get permission first. This safeguards both sides and ensures everyone is on the same page. 
• Consider offering incentives such as discounts or freebies for customers participating in your testimonial program. The goals are to encourage more participation and increase engagement levels.  
• Crafting customer stories with an emphasis on success makes customers feel valued and presents potential customers with a relatable vision of what they can achieve. By spotlighting the product/service’s impact instead of simply providing facts or features, you create engaging narratives that inspire others to reach their goals.
• Consider collecting video testimonials from happy customers. Showcase the voices of your customers and spread a message that truly resonates.
• Feature your customer stories on your digital platforms – blogs, social media, email newsletters, and websites. This will help spread the word to both existing and future customers. 

 

Conclusion

With your customers’ success stories, you could unlock a powerful tool for your business to help grow and retain long-term relationships with new and current patrons. When done right, these tales can draw in more leads while creating loyalty amongst those already working alongside you. 

Take time to develop engaging narratives showcasing how past clients have succeeded through using your products or services. Reap this vital reward by beginning to leverage customer success stories today.

 

Try FINSYNC’s accounting software with no upfront cost. The all-in-one platform allows you to create, review, and make transactions while simplifying your cash flow management.

 

Dianne Pasiemiak is a WaFd Banker based in Las Vegas who focuses on small business support. For Dianne, providing this service is more than just a job; it’s a passion project that involves helping the entrepreneurs of her beloved city. As an avid outdoorswoman, Dianne takes full advantage of all the natural charms Las Vegas offers. At the same time, connecting business owners with products and services that WaFd Bank utilizes to help small businesses establish and grow.

In particular, she recently met with Caked Las Vegas owner Ricky Gudino. She presented him with an opportunity to take his business to the next level by introducing him to FINSYNC. An all-in-one financial platform engineered for effortless invoicing and accounting processes.

 

 

Without an efficient digital invoicing system, Ricky’s shop experienced a lot of difficulties. From keeping track of orders to delivering cakes for wedding celebrations that had already been canceled weeks before. They needed help! That is why Dianne recommended they switch from their previous paper-based payment processes to FINSYNC and ensure smooth success with each customer experience.

Managing money can be one of the trickiest parts of running a business, but with FINSYNC, business owners no longer need to worry about keeping track of their accounts. Automated payment reminders allow entrepreneurs to stay on top of due dates, ensuring straightforward transactions and timely payments. Managing cash flow has never been so easy; just a few clicks and owners can process payments online with minimum effort.

 

 

When Ricky found FINSYNC, he was able to leverage the all-in-one platform to automate his most tedious tasks and customer payments, which saved him a significant amount of time and money. Furthermore, the access to real-time financial information that FINSYNC provided enabled Ricky to make quicker and more accurate decisions when it came to managing his finances, helping him optimize his resources to help ensure prosperity in the long term.

Best of all, Ricky no longer has to wait for customers to pay him. FINSYNC’s CollectEarly™ helps take the hassle out of getting paid and lets Ricky focus on expanding his business. With CollectEarly, Ricky no longer needs to worry about when his customers will pay him; he can have the money in hand almost instantly. As more businesses discover the convenience of FINSYNC’s CollectEarly system, cash flow management is becoming easier than ever before.

 

 

The next time you are in Vegas, visit Caked, and order custom cakes, gourmet cupcakes, desserts, and so much more for any occasion. Drawing in some top A-list celebrities like J-Lo and Lil Wayne, everything is made fresh with extreme attention to detail and delivered straight to your door. So if you’re looking for something unique for your next celebration or like indulging in some yummy goodness, visit Caked today.

 

 

Take your business to the next level, and check out the FINSYNC Resources page. With a few helpful tips and tricks, you could be one step closer to having your success story featured.

Small businesses often have limited resources and must react swiftly in order to survive, so knowing how and when to pivot is critical. Pivoting means adjusting your strategy on the fly in response to customer surveys and feedback, new market developments, or changes in customer behavior. It is not merely about reacting to external forces; it is also about being proactive and staying ahead of potential problems by anticipating what could happen next. 

 

Being able to pivot easily is one of the essential skills Siedah Mitchum has learned over the years. Siedah is an author, business mentor, and current owner of Her Love Collections, LLC, a retail store that creates and sells soy wax crystal candles. In addition, Siedah has opened her store to partner with other local vendors to provide an array of art and merchandise to help support her community. Read more about her business below.

 

Tell me about your company and what inspired you to start

I started making crystal candles, which I paired with my first book, I am Love – Learning to Love Yourself and Tap Into Your Power. The candles were a great way to support me during my journey.  

 

I took these candles to farmers’ markets or any company that allowed a small business to pop a table. After the pandemic, people were ready to get out, and I wanted to take advantage of this. I met a lot of vendors every Saturday and Sunday and eventually decided to start my own vendor store.

 

Now, we have two locations, one in Troy, New York, and another seasonal store in Crossgates Mall in Albany. 

 

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a small business owner?

Marketing has changed tremendously regarding getting people to come indoors and shop. I think this is one of the biggest challenges with retail right now. People have been comfortable with online sales. Comparing previous years to now, there is a big difference in holiday sales. 

 

What’s the best thing about being a small business owner? 

The best thing about being a small business owner is being able to create. I have very few restrictions that I have to abide by versus if I were an employee. So I can be creative in a specific environment and uphold a certain level of customer service. It is important that I can talk to my customers and get instant feedback while creating these ideas, like a new line of candles, for example.  

 

What prompted you to start using FINSYNC?

I was introduced to FINSYNC through SEFCU Bank, State Employees Federal Credit Union. They partnered me with BancCard for merchant processing. FINSYNC came highly recommended. Zac Kuzara with BancCard mentioned that FINSYNC is a place to complete invoicing with my vendors. I have about 80 vendors between both locations, and they rent space to have their stuff on the shelves. Therefore, I needed to be able to invoice all of them on the first of every month.

 

What are the biggest benefits your business has experienced using FINSYNC?

The invoicing has been amazing! I can create templates and have everything pre-done, setting dates so the invoices go out automatically. I can also see when the payments begin to come out of my bank account. I also like the calendar, so I can see what days I can expect the money in or out. 

 

How does having FINSYNC connected to your accounts make your business life easier?

The customer service has been amazing for email, chat, or phone. FINSYNC makes my life easier. It saves me so much time and is worth it! Since Day One, I have had tremendous help. I am a big stickler when it comes to customer service, and this is the only thing that will make or break a company for me. I have absolutely had a fantastic support experience with FINSYNC from multiple people. 

 

What advice do you have for those thinking about owning their own business?

Learn to pivot. Sometimes, having that 30% of capital available can provide options when you need to change it up. 

 

FINSYNC allows you to run your business on One Platform. You can send and receive payments, process payroll, automate accounting, and manage cash flow. To learn more about how we can help your business start, scale, and succeed, contact us today.

 

Change can be intimidating, especially when it comes to something as crucial as your business. But taking a risk and venturing out of the box could result in great rewards; just ask WaFd Branch Manager Laurie Gable. She has seen first-hand how FINSYNC’s platform can immensely benefit businesses; by streamlining processes and saving time & money.  

 

To help her clients sync up their financial management, Laurie has found that FINSYNC is user-friendly and will lead to long-term savings. But many businesses are hesitant to leave their comfort zone and try new solutions, even when the potential rewards may be significant. Business owners often opt for the status quo and shy away from new technologies. But true success happens when small business owners revolutionize how they manage finances. It is time for a financial revolution! 

 

Read on to find out how Laurie helps entrepreneurs break away from routine and unlock previously unseen possibilities for success.

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

I enjoy my job as the branch manager. I think it is mainly because I love the company I work for. I have been working in the industry for many years, and this journey with WaFd Bank is probably the most enjoyable in my entire career.

 

What is your favorite part of being on the WaFd team?

I never have to take my work home, which for me creates unnecessary stress. Sure, there are certain issues that I think about when I get home because I deeply care about my clients. But as far as taking stress home with me, I don’t feel that kind of stress at WaFd. I have worked in companies where I would wake up at two in the morning trying to figure out a problem, which was just too stressful. It also helps that we don’t work weekends, that means a lot to me. 

 

How do you locate business owners that may be a good match for FINSYNC?

I am newer to FINSYNC and am transparent with my clients about this. I have seen the products and demos, and if I were a business owner, I would want to have the FINSYNC rep explain everything to me because it looks so awesome. I tell clients they should just try it because it may or may not be a good fit for them. At the same time, we encourage their feedback. That will help us since we are still in the learning period.

 

What has helped you understand FINSYNC?

Even though it is new, we already have seven referrals in just a few weeks. There is definitely a demand. I think the demos have really helped us to get the ball rolling. So I have recommended that other managers try a demo at least because that will provide so much information. Especially since there is a lot of demand in the market right now. Some bankers are afraid to bring it up, and they fear that they don’t know enough about it. 

 

I also recommend FINSYNC to our customers who may need more time to be ready to switch from Quickbooks. Often when they say they like Quickbooks, it is all they know, and signing up for a new system seems complicated. So I tell them to give it a chance and do a demo. Because they are probably going to like this a lot better than Quickbooks, and there is a lot more to offer. 

 

How do you locate your small business customers?

Sometimes I catch them off guard when they don’t know I work for a bank and approach them more naturally. For example, yesterday, I was in a jewelry store getting some batteries for a watch. The worker was trying to run my card through a POS merchant, which took a long time. I then handed her my WaFd business card and told her we needed to get her a better merchant services device, and when she was ready to give me a call. 

 

What do you like best about FINSYNC?

What I like so far is the customer service. The two people in my office who are also familiar with FINSYNC have given me the same feedback: your customer service is hands down the best! Since we have experienced this ourselves, we pass that along to our clients. Because good customer service is essential.

 

If you are a banker that would like to start referring FINSYNC, contact us today, and we will give you all the tools you need to be successful. 

Tragedies can sometimes offer unexpected paths to a new purpose. Judith Joachim with CC’s Home Health Care has followed this path. Judith has always helped people in her extensive nursing career. When her mother finally needed assisted care in the last years of her life, Judith was there as much as possible. 

However, her mother’s determination to remain independent and live in her own house led to a terrible fall, putting her in the hospital until she passed. Judith decided to use this experience for the better and create her own assisted living company. Judith was determined to create a company that would give people the care they needed and deserved. This way, more independent individuals will still have the feeling of living in a loving family home environment. Best of all, she named it after her mother.

 

Tell me about your company and how your idea originated.

During my master’s degree in nursing, my final class project was to create a company or project around nursing. I chose running an assisted living facility because I have worked in healthcare for over 20 years. I started when I was 15 as a candy striper so helping people is basically my life. 

What inspired you to start your company?

After I graduated, my elderly mom was also going through her own health issues. My mom was always an independent woman, not wanting others to do things for her. But when the time came when she needed help, I became very hands-on and helped her with her care. She lived with us here in Georgia, but she ultimately decided to go back to Florida to remain more independent. Unfortunately, her health really declined, and I planned for her to come back to us. But she fell and wound up in a nursing home and, sadly, passed away in 2018 at the age of 83. 

This situation really pushed me to move forward with my business. I named it CC’s Family Home Care after my mom, and we take care of elderly clients who want to remain in a family home environment. 

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a small business owner?

We had a client with dementia and other issues which presented us with a situation where she needed 24-hour round-the-clock care. So my husband and daughter have pitched in, and we tag team the rigorous schedule. 

Additionally, we are looking to extend to another location which is another challenge right now. We plan to purchase a second home and renovate it for more clients. 

What’s the best thing about being a small business owner? 

I get to choose what I do, when I do it, and how I do it. I can try something and see if it works and if it doesn’t, I control the next steps.

What prompted you to start using FINSYNC?

This client came into my life, and she was looking for a place for her mom. After seeing our facility, she called and said she was bringing her mother in. Right then, I realized I had to partner with a company that would handle payments. I knew I couldn’t just take a credit card number, so I went to my credit union to find out if they could recommend someone, and they introduced me to FINSYNC.

I spoke with Jack Stone, who was very nice and personable; he made me feel comfortable. After speaking with Jack and seeing the platform, this prompted me to join FINSYNC.

What are the biggest benefits your business has experienced using FINSYNC?

I like the fact that I can create an invoice, send it and create a copy of it so I can go back to it. This helps so much with my organization. 

What financial institutions do you have connected to FINSYNC?

LGE Credit Union is who referred me. I was looking for programs that could easily handle the payments side of my business, and so LGE recommended me to your company.

 

What would help you the most right now with your business?

I am interested in having a mentor. Someone that has been there before and is willing to teach and give valuable advice. Day by day, I am always learning something new. 

Anything else you would like to share with other potential and actual small business owners?

The internet is a great place for research. Just try things out; if it doesn’t work, you can adjust. Keep the faith!! I feel in my heart that quitting is definitely not an option. I have been in this for so long, I will do whatever it takes to succeed. 

 

Are you a small business owner? We would love to hear your story. Maybe your business will be featured one day, like Judith!

We are still witnessing the aftereffects of the pandemic, specifically around small businesses. Many people are turning to entrepreneurship as a way to provide for themselves and their families. According to a recent study, it is estimated that up to 17 million new small businesses will be formed in 2022. This surge in entrepreneurs is inspiring and provides hope for a bright future. However, this will be their first business venture for many of these individuals. And with any new experience comes a learning curve. So how can banks assist these first-time entrepreneurs and help them prepare for the challenges ahead?

This question is Michelle Melekwe’s main focus being part of the Fulton Bank team. Michelle succeeds at being a valuable resource for entrepreneurs. Since many unknowns come with starting a business, it can be challenging to know how to provide answers to questions you can’t anticipate yet. Read about Michelle’s path as one of Fulton Bank’s trusted bankers. 

 

What do you enjoy the most about your job?

I like the work-life balance. When I come to work, I can focus on work. Then when I go home, I can shut down and just concentrate on my home life. Most businesses run seven days a week from 8 am-7 pm, and there is no balance, so I am really grateful to have this.

What is your favorite thing about being part of the Fulton Bank team?

Fulton is very community-focused. We are all about supporting our community and our customers. 

We are focused on helping our community as they advance through their lives, and Fulton is helping us do that by broadening the services and products we provide to help our customers. 

How do you locate business owners that may be a good match for FINSYNC?

When I was first introduced to FINSYNC, I concentrated on the payroll aspect and immediately thought about one of my clients. They are a small business, not even a year old, and they had many payroll challenges. 

There are a lot of small businesses that want to understand how to do ACH payments and direct deposits with their payroll. There is a big learning curve, especially for individuals starting their first business. The world is changing, and companies need to be able to accept many forms of payments. 

What is your approach like?

My approach is to talk less and listen more. So I can understand the issue, and then I can bring up a solution. After a while, I build a rapport, and over time, I can dig deeper by listening to their issues. It can be about payroll processing, check cashing, account balances, account receivables, and so much more. With time and just listening, I am able to unravel when companies need help.  

Do you think your customers struggle with other software solutions?

I have come across several companies that have struggled with other software. Employees were not getting paid on time, taxes were not deducted correctly, and it was an ongoing situation. I am not an accountant, so I didn’t know how to assist with the multiple phone calls I kept getting. Fortunately, after recommending FINSYNC, the calls have stopped.

What do you like best about FINSYNC?

I love how FINSYNC makes it easier for our Fulton Bank customers. It is hard to just pass our business owners along to someone else, which results in all these fees and requests, which is not helpful. You make it easy on them and often take care of the technical aspects of transferring their accounts. I appreciate how after I give you the customer’s information, you take it over from there, and I know they will be successful. 

Honestly, I used to get several phone calls and emails every single day from some clients who were struggling to pay their employees, and after I handed them over to FINSYNC, I never heard back from them with any issues. Their problems are solved, their business is up and running, and it is now smooth sailing. 

 

Learn more about FINSYNC’s all-in-one cloud-based accounting platform.

We all know how it feels to be constantly bombarded with ads and sales pitches. Sandi knows this all too well, working in the insurance industry. However, she has found success by differentiating herself from other salespeople trying to make a quick sale. Instead, she builds trust and rapport with her clients, resulting in long-term relationships and repeat business. 

By taking the time to get to know her clients and their needs, Sandi provides them with the best possible service. Her caring approach is a breath of fresh air in an industry where it can be easy to get lost in the shuffle. It is also one of the reasons she has been so successful. Read more about Sandi and her company, The Insurance Connection, below. 

 

Tell me about your company and what inspired you to start.

We are a small independent insurance agency. I was originally inspired by my mom, who has worked in this industry for most of her life. She focused primarily on churches and nonprofits, introducing me to niche marketing. 

Our agency works a lot with churches and nonprofits. Honestly, I am not a very good salesperson. I am not going to pressure people. When I hear about classes that teach salespeople how to “overcome the objection,” I am simply turned off by that. I want to provide people with an education and be their trusted advisor. I want my clients to know I have their best interests at heart. I just don’t want to sell; we are constantly being sold from all walks of life.   

What are some of the challenges you faced in your previous job?

The legal industry isn’t very family-friendly unless you are a lawyer, and the support staff doesn’t get the opportunity to have flexible schedules. After the birth of my second son, I realized that the legal industry isn’t conducive to the type of mother I want to be. 

At this time, my mom had her own insurance agency. I reflected on the mother she was to me; she was able to be very present, available, nurturing, and supportive of her family. Shortly after I got my insurance license, I worked for my mom for about a year, and decided to open my own agency in 2015.  

What’s the best thing about being a small business owner? 

For most of my adult life, I worked primarily in the legal industry and social service. I worked as a paralegal for ten years. I worked in areas of law that helped people with personal injury, domestic law, etc. I have always had a heart for serving others. By starting my own agency, I can work with nonprofits that satisfy my desire to help others. 

What prompted you to start using FINSYNC?

All of my employees were previously contractors, which was easier. However, I was working for a non-profit organization with Dave Olsen, the President of Payroll for FINSYNC. So when it was time for me to make the switch to payroll, I reached out to Dave, who referred me to FINSYNC. He mentioned it would be a great way to grow, send payroll taxes, and support along the way. 

What are the biggest benefits your business has experienced using FINSYNC?

As a business owner who actually works in the business, I am not just an office administrator. To have that customer service on the phone when I have a question is a tremendous resource for me. I also love to support a local company instead of large conglomerates, and knowing Dave personally, all of these things played into my decision to choose FINSYNC.

What financial institutions do you have connected to FINSYNC?

Truist was a merger between BB&T and SunTrust, and that merger really affected our syncing issues. I was pleased with the support I got from FINSYNC. They went in and manually updated items that weren’t syncing because I was overwhelmed by it. It was really stressful, but when I reached out to you, you were phenomenal.

How does having FINSYNC connected to the accounts mentioned above make your business life easier?

I have noticed how the platform has changed and evolved. I really appreciate that FINSYNC doesn’t charge extra for certain features. Again it is one of those sales things. We are charged for every little extra feature. We are constantly being sold in our society. When someone notices that people are using that feature, then all of a sudden, they want to charge more for that. 

What advice do you have for those thinking about starting their own business?

You need to have a full plan in place. Starting a business is not for the weary if you depend on it as your full-time income. There are many things to figure out, and no playbook exists. It takes a lot of research, dedication, and planning.

 

FINSYNC updates your payment transactions in real-time as you run your business. Take control of your cash flow management today!

Jaipal’s decades of experience in his industry give him a unique perspective on what it takes to succeed. He attributes this success, in part, to never staying still for too long and constantly striving toward greater heights with every new challenge he faces. 

 

Being able to leave one’s comfort zone and embrace change is an essential skill that all entrepreneurs should adopt. A good business owner needs to have an open mind and willingness to learn new things so that when opportunities or obstacles come into play, they can smoothly navigate their company toward success. 

 

Tell me about your company and what inspired you to start

 

I was previously working in IT for many years, and I wanted to start my own company, Jai Consultancy, because I am very familiar with all the systems and working with clients. I primarily focus on creating IT projects with our clients, usually through the Prime Vendor or point person. 

 

I manage all the technical support and system administration in addition to monitoring activities, planning, projections, and any programming within this system. The Prime Vendor is who has the contract with the client and then with my business. I work for the Prime Vendor, completing all the technical support projects. 

 

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a small business owner?

 

Becoming an expert very quickly in all the different technologies and organizations. I can never stay in my comfort zone and stick to just one platform. I have to be ready to pivot and become proficient in new software in a few days.

 

For example, suppose a company decides to start implementing IT Modelization. In that case, I have to be ready to learn the technologies to an expert level very quickly and ensure their systems will be able to respond seamlessly.

 

What’s the best thing about being a small business owner?

 

I think it is important not to rush the growth of my business. I prefer not to accept lots of contracts and hire people immediately. Growth will happen eventually. I will never compromise on quality.

 

What prompted you to start using FINSYNC?

 

Soon after starting my company, I began looking for a payroll service. I didn’t want to just send paychecks without researching the right way to pay people. So, I went to Fulton Bank and asked if they had a payroll service they could recommend. 

 

Heather with Fulton Bank quickly got back to me and referred me to FINSYNC. 

 

What are the biggest benefits your business has experienced using FINSYNC?

 

FINSYNC is very smooth and easy to use. Last week, I had to run my payroll, and I could complete it in just one or two clicks. I really appreciate this expediency. 

 

What financial institutions do you have connected to FINSYNC?

 

I went to Fulton Bank for advice with payroll because I knew they were invested in their community and would have a good recommendation. Heather was happy to help, and I am very grateful. 

 

How does having FINSYNC connected to the accounts mentioned above make your business life easier?

 

I recently asked about adding 401K to my payroll processing system and if FINSYNC would be able to support these deposits. Fortunately, yes, it handles 401K, which is great. Other payroll services do not do it. If they do, they have to integrate with a third party that charges their own fees. I like that FINSYNC can handle both, so soon, I will open and connect this type of plan. 

 

What advice do you have for those thinking about owning their own business?

 

Have patience and know your industry knowledge. Before starting a business, one must understand it inside and out so you can easily identify hiccups when they appear.

 

How FINSYNC Can Help

 

FINSYNC allows you to run your business on One Platform. You can send and receive payments, process payroll, automate accounting, and manage cash flow. To learn more about how we can help your business start, scale, and succeed, contact us today.

In a world of big box stores and online shopping, it can be easy to forget the importance of local businesses. Recognizing the vital role that small organizations play in our economy is a mission that WaFd Bank and FINSYNC do not take lightly. By working together, this partnership enables our communities to remain vibrant and thrive by providing small businesses with the resources they need for success.

 

When Juniper started, Charlotte had this very thing in mind. Charlotte has a considerable drive to support local artists and source her products from neighborhood companies. She plans to create jobs and help keep money circulating within the local community, which can have a ripple effect that helps support the entire local economy. Rhonda, Charlotte’s mother, runs the back office and details their story below.  

 

Tell me about your company and what inspired you to create it.

What started as an ‘idea’ has transformed into a full-on family-run operation. Owner Charlotte Sirianni and her husband David run a small boutique store called Juniper Outpost (JO).

 

JO is proud to support more than 30 artists from the tri-state area. Artists have the opportunity to offer some of their work along with the merchandise Charlotte has curated for JO. The community of Mesquite, NV, and the surrounding area are enjoying shopping at JO, and their support is what makes JO a success.  

 

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced as a small business owner?

Some early challenges JO faced included shop design and product selection and making sure our record keeping was sound and, most importantly, accurate. Something that new business owners may not grasp but is important. If you know you need a new solution, don’t rush the decision so you can get the right software that is the right fit. If people give more thought to other accounting platforms other than the most prominent solutions, it will benefit them in the long run. 

 

What’s the best thing about being a small business owner? 

At the top is how the community has embraced JO. From the Chamber of Commerce to her customers. All have encouraged Charlotte to continue on her path and reaffirm the need for a specialty/gift shop in our town of approximately 23,000. Residents were looking for more shopping opportunities. 

 

What prompted you to start using FINSYNC?

Charlotte needed to commit full-time to managing and running JO, so she asked me to assist with the office work. I took over what she had started in Quickbooks Online for payroll, accounting, and interface to the point of sale software Clover. When I took on some of these duties, I found that QBO was quite robust in functionality but not as intuitive as it might be for a newer user. However, Quickbooks did not have useful online help and available support, which was not working well for us. QBO was difficult just to walk in and easily understand. 

 

What are the biggest benefits your business has experienced using FINSYNC?

One of the many benefits is that the breadth of functionality in FINSYNC meets the needs of JO, and the application is intuitive for the person learning and using FINSYNC. The interfacing with our bank and business credit cards is a big plus. These interfaces are expected to significantly reduce the office’s individual transaction entry/maintenance. 

 

What financial institutions do you have connected to FINSYNC?

Our Business Bank account is with WaFd. Heidee Draney, a personal banker with Washington Federal Bank, played an important role in introducing Juniper Outpost to FINSYNC. She introduced us to the team and coordinated our demo. Heidee was instrumental in turning us on to FINSYNC, and we are grateful for her efforts and follow-through.

 

How does having FINSYNC connected to the accounts mentioned above make your business life easier?

As mentioned, the auto interface reduces manual transaction entry and maintenance.  Reducing the chance of human error. Third, JO has over 30 commissioned artists’ payments each month, adding efficiency for both our Artists and JO. Reduced subscription costs are also a plus. 

 

What advice do you have for those thinking about owning their own business?

GO FOR IT!!!  Trust that you have what it takes. Complete a business plan. Understand the business you plan to open, ask for help, and simplify the operation. This is where FINSYNC and its auto transaction interfaces and functionality will be useful. Let me add we expect to use the payroll processing system as we hire employees, which is another significant advantage. Keep as much of your solution as possible with one reliable vendor.  

 

Is there anything else you would like to share with other potential and actual small business owners?

Have fun, be patient with yourself, and know your community wants you to succeed. Don’t overlook the value of complete and accurate record-keeping. Use automation, such as what is offered by FINSYNC.

 

 

FINSYNC allows you to run your business on One Platform. You can send and receive payments, process payroll, automate accounting, and manage cash flow. To learn more about how we can help your business start, scale, and succeed, contact us today.