We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Linda Diakite Karressy. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Linda below.
Linda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.
Someone told me about the Skyline Club. Club is a hub for entrepreneurs, executives and city leaders, a place that fosters networking and promotes effortless connections. At the time I was meeting with my SCORE mentor learning how to get my first client. We had discussed marketing strategies and networking opportunities. My SCORE mentor stated the Skyline Club might not be a fit for me since it sounded like the club was mostly made of corporate executives. However something inside me said attend their events. I eventually joined the Skyline Club. I attended my first luncheon with a board member, Bob Massey. Bob was very engaged and down to earth. After the lunch, he asked for my business card. Bob was a seasoned business owner who started a documentary company. The company needed an accounting professional to do the books. I meet with Bob’s CFO a few weeks later. We all hit it off after the first meeting. I has hired on the spot. I had my 1st client!
Linda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Overcoming years at large, toxic corporations, I use my accounting mastery skills to foster no-judgement environment where individuals can be open and shameless about their business finances and habits. I believe everyone deserves an accountant who will not talk down to them but break things down in a respectful manner.
I am a Fractional CFO for service base businesses and nonprofits. I’m the Founder & CEO of Insight Financial Group and Insight Business Academy.
I have the ability to break down accounting to its lowest denominator to that everyone can grasp it. Plus, I’m a natural teacher who understands how to engage adult learners and hold their attention.
Recognized as an accounting expert, I can attest to the power of developing and maintaining a bookkeeping system “IF” you understand how to utilize the data.
Having worked with small businesses and nonprofits over the last nine years, there is ONE problem they want a solution to understanding the numbers to grow cash .
At Insight Financial Group, with input from the whole team, we develop a bookkeeping system catering to your needs to maintain a healthy cash balance.
Our clients have acquired half a million-dollar grant and reached the $1 million revenue mark by implementing systems to track the numbers.
The business leaders and nonprofit leaders we are honored to serve, understand that having an accounting professional on the team to bring “insight” is a proven pathway to sustainability in today’s economy.
In addition to managing the books for clients, we provide online business finance education through Insight Business Academy. I believe in listening to and educating business owners and nonprofit leaders. I’m also co-founder of Sister’s Alliance of Indianapolis, a support group for African American women in Indiana that inspire and share information.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building my audience on social media has been a journey in itself. I have had several individuals create my content for social media. As the years pass the content got better because I was taking classes to provide direction to the social media consultants. In 2021 I was listening to Evan Carmichael’s podcast where he challenged the guest to do live videos weekly. At the time, my social media consultant was encouraging me to do live videos. I was afraid of being on camera. I took the interview as a sign so I created two live videos each week in 2021 except for 1 one week (I think). I was very proud of myself. I now have over 261 videos. The live videos did a couple of things for my business – showed me as an accounting expert, built trust with my audience, and kept my name on people’s mind.
I use social media as my teaching platform. So instead of selling, each post is an educational video, text, or image. I constantly pour into my audience. The content is about them – I have something that can solve your problem.
I advice anyone to use social media to educate your audience. Make the content about your clients. Provide solutions to their problems.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
Books
Business Made Simple by Donald Miller
Successful Women Think Differently by Valorie Burton
Videos
Les Brown motivational videos – favorite quote
If you do what is easy, your life will be hard. If you do what is hard, your life will be easy. — Les Brown
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.insightfinancialindy.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/insightfinancialgrp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/insightfinancialgrp
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/insightfinancialgrp
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@insightfinancialgrp
- Other: https://insightbusiness.thinkific.com/