Every month, we like to feature and celebrate the contractors that equip our clients with the confidence to climb higher.
Here are just a few of their stories from this year.
A self-proclaimed free spirit who loves adventure, autonomy and freedom, in terms of both location and how she structures her day, Ashley’s life sounds like the prototypical contractor for BELAY.
It’s almost an infomercial in the making.
‘Are you tired of staring at the three carpeted walls in your cubicle for eight hours a day? Do you wish there were something else? Something … more?
‘Introducing the revolutionary Third Option! It slices – your stress in half! It dices – your day into flexible, accommodating pieces! Act now because supplies are running out!
‘But you don’t have to take our word for it. Just listen to what other satisfied contractors have to say!’
Here’s her story.
Sam is one of our esteemed BELAY Virtual Bookkeepers who’s been with us since October 2018 – but BELAY isn’t his first remote rodeo.
“I worked remotely for a bookkeeping client when I was with a local CPA firm, and enjoyed the experience. When I saw an advertisement for BELAY, I decided to give virtual bookkeeping a try.”
And thank goodness he did, not only for his family but also for the clients he so steadfastly serves. “Since I began my career in accounting,” Sam explains, “my philosophy has always been to provide my clients with the best possible service.”
Here’s his story.
When it comes to bookkeeping, we often hear from prospective clients that hiring someone isn’t realistic – at least not yet. But bookkeeping is much like going to the dentist – no one actually wants to do it but not doing it isn’t really an option, either.
Ultimately, however, the most important question we ask them is this: Are you the best person to do this? Because without experience in bookkeeping or an understanding of balance sheets and income statements, not having a bookkeeper could cost you more money in the long run than having one.
And BELAY bookkeeper Krystal McGee proved just that.
How?
Within weeks, she accomplished exactly what every client wants: She saved them money.
Here’s her story.
BELAY bookkeeper Sarah has a (well-known) secret to share: Many people who go into ministry don’t have a strong financial background.
Maybe we should’ve offered a SPOILER ALERT before disclosing that.
We kid – obviously – but Sarah also recognizes that such shortcomings aren’t exclusive to ministry.
“Honestly, being a strong visionary in the for-profit world doesn’t always mean that numbers are second nature, either,” she explains.
Thankfully, Sarah knows her way around numbers – and has a servant’s heart.
“My background working in corporate accounting and finance – as well as with church operations and accounting – has been invaluable in working with my clients. I’ve had the pleasure of working with clients of all sizes and in different stages of ministry and formation.
“Most of the time, I find that getting back to the basics sets us all up for the most success. As humans, we tend to overcomplicate things when we think we are making things easier by making small adjustments based on adjustments. By the time you get down the road a few months or even years, it’s hard to tell where you even began.
“My motto? Keep it simple. Don’t overcomplicate it. And the numbers will tell the story.”
And after contracting with BELAY for nearly two years, she wonders what took her so long to leave her 15-year corporate world life.”
Here’s her story.
Meet Crystal Volinchak.
Scratch that.
(Re-)meet Crystal. You actually met her last summer, along with her husband, when we featured them both.
Both are BELAY VAs. Or they both were, anyway.
Because since then, Crystal has moved on. But before you wax sentimental or pine for our old friend, Crystal has pulled a Jefferson and has moved on up.
And that’s not to disparage us, obviously. But she now works for Daymond John. The Daymond John.
Oh, you know – Daymond John of FUBU and Shark Tank fame?
Yeah, that Daymond John.
Crystal now works for The Shark Group and has done such a bang-up job for them that she – drumroll, please – has an entire chapter of Daymond’s new book, Powershift, dedicated to her.
The chapter in question? Bring Value Without Expecting Anything In Return.
If that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about Crystal, we don’t know what will.
Thankfully, we’ve got a few connections – ahem, BELAY graduate Crystal herself – and were able to sit down and talk to her about her extraordinary journey.
Here’s her story.
When Chrissy Hudson began looking for a new career path, she quickly realized that the best career opportunities in her area required an hour-long commute – two hours every day she wasn’t willing to sacrifice as a wife and mother.
And, as she likes to say, she “ … heard an ad for BELAY on the radio, and the rest was history!”
“Before coming to BELAY, I spent 17 years working in the non-profit sector.
“We were doing great work, but when the stress of long hours and extensive travel began to impact my family, it was time to make a change.
“I knew that I wanted to use my talents and experiences to help others, but I also wanted the ability to be fully present as a wife and as a mom.”
Here’s her story.