We were lucky to catch up with Catelyn Hassell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Catelyn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

Starting this business was not just a personal mission to gain momentum in my field while also having the flexibility for my family, it was about seeing a need and creating an atmosphere that provided the filled it solutions small businesses needed at an affordable cost.

Most small businesses tend to start as a one-man band with a dream. It takes a lot of hard work behind the scenes to build your book of business. Most people on the outside looking in have no idea of the general grit, determination, giant leaps of faith, sleepless nights and sacrificed family and personal time it takes to get there.

When the individual an individual is working to build their business from ground up the responsibility of the mechanics and administrative end of things business falls solely on them. It’s a lot to keep up with. As the business continues to grow the focus is placed into the mechanics of keeping general operations going and the administrative side of the business generally takes a back seat. to the mechanics of operations and advertising to build the business, although it’s completely necessary.

Most business owner’s reach a point where they find themselves too busy to handle it all, and that is when I step in. I provide them with administrative support for the financial tracking of their businesses at a much more cost-effective rate than hiring another full-time person employee.

We are certainly not the first business to offer the option to outsource the business financials, but I’d like to think that what I provide each business with is different from the rest. In addition to knowing that your financials are in order, you are provided with the level of care and attention an in-house employee would provide you. Have a question? Call us. If we don’t have the answer for you during that conversation, in most cases we will get back to you within hours with the support or answer you are looking for.

Most outsourcing outsourced bookkeepers are extremely wonderful at what they do yet take a very hands-off approach to dealing with their clients. I strive to give each business owner a tailored approach to fit their specific needs, all the while giving them the comfort that if they need me, I’ll be there.

Catelyn, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’ve been working in the administrative world since I was 16 years of age, I took special interest in the bookkeeping side of that spectrum because numbers are fascinating and exciting to me.

I started my free-lance business in 2016, and it became the one thing career wise I was extremely most passionate about. I took a giant leap of faith in 2020 to take it full-time and I have been extremely blessed that it’s proved to be the right decision.

Aligned provides its it’s clients with real-time bookkeeping, job costing, profitability review, sales tax support, monthly bill tracking and bill pay, payroll, tax preparation, and administrative support curated to fit the client’s needs and budget.

What sets us apart from other bookkeeping firms is the hands-on approach we take with our customers. We give them our clients the ability to correspond with us as much or as little as they would like to, offering solutions for various business qualms that they could potentially run into. We give them our clients the ability to see their financials in real time providing them with the insight needed to drive their business forward.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

My integrity has been the biggest thing value I’ve held on to inside and outside of business. Taking care of my client’s needs is of the utmost importance to me. They know they can count on me and knowing they can count on my support gives them the ease they need while focusing on other aspects of their business.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

WORD OF MOUTH! Think about it, most of us are very hesitant to try a product or sign up for service unless we know someone who has experience with that product or service. The majority of my client’s found their way to me from someone who is a client now or someone I’ve come in to contact through business.

I’ve always hated the sentiment: “It’s not about WHAT you know, it’s about WHO you know.”, but let’s be frank it’s true. Before I try anything knew, I’m normally talking to someone who has tried it and gave it their endorsement. Putting yourself out there and gaining recognition takes time, be patient with yourself. There will be a multitude of “no thank yous” before you receive the “yes” that drives you forward. Don’t give up.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 386-624-5181
• Website: www.alignedbookkeepingofwv.com
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/balancedbooksandbudget

Image Credits
Aubrey Renee Photography