Today we’d like to introduce you to Patty Saggio

Hi Patty, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?

While I was a Sophomore in high school I took an elective called bookkeeping. It was during that class that I decided to pursue a degree in Accounting. I went to Pace University and graduated with a degree in Accounting. Once I started working the jobs were very specific areas of accounting but eventually I landed in general accounting. It took me about 8 different jobs to get to this as I learned what I needed to at that employer and then moved on to another. After working in corporate for 12 years I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and boy did that mess with my long term plans. I was out on disability for a year and realized that if I went back to the corporate world it would have an adverse impact on my health but wasn’t sure what I would do. Once I was clear healthwise I started working for others who had bookkeeping businesses and worked with their clients. Little by little I thought I could do this and started to look for clients of my own. With the accounting degree I added a different level of knowledge and experience. Of course when starting out I took on anyone as a client but there were some that were starting to affect my health and that was the last thing I wanted. Although difficult from a financial point of view I started looking for those clients that were a perfect fit and now here we are 16 years having the business and financially doing way better than I ever imagined but most importantly I’m healthy.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Oh it definitely hasn’t been a smooth ride but then again what’s the fun in that lol! Once I realized that corporate was no longer in the plan and made the decision to start my bookkeeping business as with most business owners getting clients was the first struggle. I advertised on various websites and got clients who I’m still working with today. One big plus was connecting with CPA’s in the area so when they came across someone who needed assistance with their bookkeeping I would get recommended. I think another struggle which took some time to realize and then correct was boundaries. In the beginning I was so grateful for a client that I ignored those red flags that would show up and forge on but I was not enjoying the work and if felt like all I did was work 24/7. Slowly I started to set more boundaries and stick to them despite the nervousness I felt in doing so. It’s something that I continue to work on and holding true to them makes me truly enjoy what I do and the clients I work with.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

I work with coaches, entrepreneurs and small business owners handling the bookkeeping side of their business. I take away the stress and worry so that my clients can focus on growing their business doing more of what they love as I do what I love. I think that what I do is fun and that comes across to my clients and makes them feel less overwhelmed or scared of this part of their business. For me when a client says I don’t know how we did this before you brings such joy and happiness that reminds me how something that comes easy to me makes such a difference to them and their business.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?

Being able to pivot when your plan doesn’t go according to the way you thought it would be is a quality that is important to have. After being diagnosed I had to change my future and what I was going to do. We start our business with what we want it to be and how we want it to grow but you have to be able to pivot based on what is actually happening. Don’t be afraid if what you thought you wanted doesn’t actually happen because in most cases the results are so much better than you could ever imagined.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://countonpatty.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/count_onpatty/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/patricia.saggio/