Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lillia Sanders. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Lillia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?

My first company was founded when an angel investor provided my former husband and me with the funds to launch our home healthcare business. I had to produce forecasts and projections in my business plan that I presented to him. After receiving the funds, he asked for the financial statements to evaluate the company’s financial health and offer advice. Our company was starting to gain momentum, and I wanted to share the numbers with him. The only problem was that I couldn’t, and I felt ashamed. Why? Because my husband at the time was embezzling from the company. Initially, when starting a business, you have to figure out many things, such as taxes, payroll, and the appropriate charging rate. However, when you can’t explain your numbers because money is missing, that was something I didn’t anticipate. In that moment, I felt immense shame, anger, and a sense of irresponsibility, even though it wasn’t my own doing.

Lillia, 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’m Lillia Sanders, the founder of Skillia Business Solutions, a fractional CFO and bookkeeping firm that helps service-based businesses gain financial clarity, prevent embezzlement, and prepare for growth, scaling, or a sale.

My journey into this field came from personal experience. Years ago, I was building a business with a trusted partner. However, that trust was broken when I discovered they had embezzled money, leaving me financially devastated. After I left that relationship, I was left to raise three children under the age of three and rebuild my life as a single mother.

What sets me apart is not just my expertise, but also my approach. I understand the emotional burden of financial confusion, betrayal, or fear of uncovering uncomfortable truths. My company meets clients where they’re with a strategy that prioritizes transparency and no judgment. I like to say we’re not just here to balance your books, but to help you find peace of mind, make confident decisions, and protect the business you’ve worked so hard to build.

What I’m most proud of is turning my pain into purpose by helping others avoid the same financial mistakes I faced. I want readers and potential clients to know that with the right systems and support, financial clarity is within reach. You don’t have to be perfect; you need to be ready to take control. And when you are, we’re here to walk with you every step of the way.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Trust in your team or partner is not enough; you must also verify their work to ensure its quality. After experiencing embezzlement, I had to rebuild my business. As I expanded my fractional CFO and bookkeeping services, I had to hire more team members. Integrity in financial management is crucial. As my team grew, I introduced verification processes and checkpoints to uphold integrity. I could no longer depend only on trust; I needed systems to confirm my team’s work is accurate. If I can’t directly verify their tasks, it’s essential to have others check that work is completed properly and up to quality expectations.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Being authentic requires approaching conversations without judgment and being open to sharing my story. I’ve noticed that some people want to learn from my experiences to avoid similar issues, while others feel comfortable sharing their own. Discussing financial reporting, regardless of the company, can be very sensitive. When I reveal personal stories, like my ex-husband stealing from my business or calling the IRS directly to understand tax calculations, it helps others relate and open up about their struggles. This allows me to connect with them by offering insights from my expertise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.SkilliaBusiness.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/skillia/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@skilliabusiness