A Day In The Life: Jon Lee Rabette

When you think of a musician, you likely conjure an – admittedly overly generalized – image. Similarly, when you think of a bookkeeper, you likely imagine quite another.

It’s almost as though those two people exist on parallel planes, never to intersect. Strictly stereotypically speaking, of course.

Then, you meet Jon Lee Rabette.

CUE: The intersection you never thought existed.

Because while Jon is a musician, boasting an IMDb credit and country blues songs on Amazon, Apple and YouTube to name a few, he’s also a bookkeeper with BELAY.

Talk about a bonafide renaissance man.

So why go virtual as a bookkeeper?

“No commute – and being able to wear pajamas all day, of course!”

You make a compelling case. How long have you contracted with BELAY?

“I started working with BELAY last August, so [I’m] in my 10th month now.”

Why did you make the switch?

“I'd worked from home before several years ago doing the same thing and realized it was a better fit for me.

“When this opportunity came my way, I jumped at it.”

What has working remotely afforded you that you didn't have or couldn't do before?

“Being able to have lunch every day with my wife, and then afterward, walking our dog together.”

Who do you spend time with and what do you like to do when you're not working?

“When not with my wife, I spend most of my time by myself.

“I'm a musician – a multi-instrumentalist. I play, sing and record.”

What has changed for you and your client financially since starting your partnership?

“For me, [it’s] being able to work only as much as I want to.

“And my clients have found that it costs them less to work with BELAY than it did to have someone full-time, doing the same job.”

What was one of the struggles you had transitioning to a remote workplace that you have had to overcome?

“The struggle was not working remotely. I've found that there are more distractions working at an office than working at home alone – for me, anyway.”

What is one thing about what you do that makes you excited to get up tomorrow and do it again?

“Feeling appreciated for what I do.”

What else do you want someone to know about working virtually?

“If you can find a way to do what you do remotely, make it happen. You'll wish you'd done it sooner.”

And lastly, how have you helped your clients organize their financials to assist them in focusing on their business?

“I provide them accurate books and timely financials so they can make the business decisions they need to make.”