We recently connected with Kandace Sequeira and have shared our conversation below.

Kandace, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

My parents played crucial roles in shaping my life, each in their own way. My father, a lecturer, (which I hated back then) was my rock. I miss him every day, but the lessons he imparted to my brother Brandon and me continue to guide me. He taught us the importance of family, integrity, and always doing the right thing. One of his most lasting teachings was the idea that we should surround ourselves with people who share our values and never settle for less. This is a principal I use when deciding whether to take a client or to hire staff and contractors.

Another lesson that also continues to come up in my business pursuits is the need for flexibility and the ability to pivot. As a business owner, I’ve come to realize that this isn’t just a skill—it’s practically a part of the job description! Not everything pans out the way you expect, and it’s crucial not to see setbacks as failures. Instead, I take the “L” as a “L”esson, not a loss.

Though my parents divorced when I was in elementary school and I had a complicated relationship with my mom at the time, she has since become my most trusted advisor and confidant. She’s helped me grow in my faith in God and has shown me how to fight through tough situations with grace and resilience. Her support has been invaluable, and her journey has taught me the importance of perseverance, adaptability, and strength—lessons I carry with me every day.

Together, the values my parents instilled in me—integrity, flexibility, resilience, and faith—have been foundational to both my personal growth and my journey as a business owner.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My career journey started in college, where what was supposed to be a temporary job in property management turned into a long-term opportunity. I quickly fell in love with the fast-paced environment and the satisfaction of helping people find clean, comfortable housing while assisting property owners in finding the right tenants. During my time in the industry, I made it a priority to learn every facet of the business, which laid the groundwork for my career pivot.

Now, I provide bookkeeping services specifically for property managers. Having worked on the frontlines of property management myself, I have a unique relationship with my clients. I understand their daily challenges because I’ve lived them, and I know that bookkeeping often falls to the bottom of the priority list. This is where I come in. I specialize in solving the financial side of property management, from reconciling accounts to ensuring timely and accurate financial reports.

What sets me apart is my deep understanding of both property management and bookkeeping. I’m not just a bookkeeper—I’m someone who understands the nuances of property management software like AppFolio, Yardi, and Buildium, which allows me to tailor my services to the specific needs of my clients. I bridge the gap between property management operations and financial management, providing a service that’s both comprehensive and highly specialized.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the relationships I’ve built with my clients. I’m not just a vendor; I’m a partner in their success. I take pride in helping my clients streamline their processes, gain clarity on their financials, and ultimately grow their businesses.

What I want potential clients to know about me and KRS Smart Books is that we’re not your typical bookkeeping firm. We focus on property managers and understand their specific needs. We aim to provide a service that removes the stress of bookkeeping so that property managers can focus on what they do best—running their properties and serving their tenants.

Have you ever had to pivot?

One of the most significant pivots in my life happened when I transitioned from working in property management to focusing on providing bookkeeping services for property managers. After having my son, I realized that I needed more flexibility in my career. At the same time, I noticed that many property managers struggled with the financial side of their business—especially when it came to bookkeeping. Bookkeeping was often pushed aside due to the demands of running their properties, and I saw an opportunity to help solve that problem.

I decided to pivot from my role in property management to start my own business, KRS Smart Books, where I could provide specialized bookkeeping services for property managers. It wasn’t an easy decision because I was walking away from something familiar, but it was the right move. I leveraged my experience and knowledge of property management to create a service that directly addressed the pain points I knew so many of my peers faced. This pivot allowed me to build a business that provides flexibility for my family while enabling property managers to focus on what they do best by taking bookkeeping off their plate.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that I had to do everything myself in order for it to be done right. Early in my career, especially when I first started KRS Smart Books, I felt like I needed to have my hands in every aspect of the business. I believed that if I wasn’t personally overseeing every detail, things would fall apart, and my business wouldn’t succeed.

However, as my business started to grow, I quickly realized that this mindset was not sustainable. I was stretched too thin, trying to juggle everything, and it left me exhausted and unable to give my best to my clients. The turning point came when I started delegating more and trusting others to take on tasks that I thought I had to do myself. I brought in team members who were not only capable but who often did things better than I could have on my own.

Unlearning the need to control everything allowed me to step back and focus on the bigger picture—growing my business, building relationships with clients, and finding new ways to innovate and expand. It also taught me that trusting others and empowering them to take ownership can lead to better outcomes and a more successful business. This shift has been crucial not only for the growth of KRS Smart Books but also for my own personal growth as a business owner and leader.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.krsbooks.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krs_smart_books/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KRSSmartBooks
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/krs-smart-books/