Born in Redwood City, California in 1954, I grew up in San Carlos and graduated from San Carlos High School in 1972.  I attended Canada College in Redwood City and completed the required courses (like English, history, etc.) for my AA, but couldn't decide on a career path.

In 1974 I was cashier for a couple of years, then a quality control inspector for "wafers" that became chips in the "Pong" game (remember that one?).  Still not sure of a career path, I attended Sawyer Business College in Santa Clara and after 9 months graduated with honors and a professional secretary degree.  I really didn't want to spend the rest of my life as a secretary, but there were always jobs available and it was a good way to make money while I pondered my future.  I got a great job as an administrative assistant at Memorex.  I was there for 3 years, married in 1982, moved to Reno for two years, then moved to the Santa Rosa area in 1984.

Believe me, if you have an opportunity to move to Sonoma County you jump on it!    Temporary employment agencies are a great way to find a permanent job, but I found I had a real talent for temping.  I could walk into just about any company and get comfortable and down to business right away.  And the experience was phenomenal; I learned so much about so many types of businesses.  I was a Kelly Services regular, but worked with other agencies also (always a good idea to have a few under your wing).  I temped at the City of Santa Rosa in the Public Works Dept. for 1 1/2 years, and during that time decided to continue my college education.

In 1988 I landed a temp job at Dillingham Constuction, building the Sonoma County MADF (Main Adult Detention Facility - in other words, jail!).  Beginning as a project secretary, one of my tasks was to prepare the accounts payable for the main office and when the office manager moved on in May 1989, I got the office manager job, still working as a temp!  Also, one of my first bookkeeping achievements came before I was even a bookkeeper.  We would process RFC's (requests for change) to the plans.  I read everything, and noted that some of the changes were going to incur the company additional costs, but no one was adding the costs to the contract.  I brought this to the attention of the engineers, and shortly thereafter RFP's (request for proposals) became the norm to be submitted to the county to add the extra dollars to the contract.  In the end, if I'm not mistaken, Dillingham Construction was paid in full for the original contract and all the additions to the contract.  Although we ran over the allotted time to complete the original contract, all delays (rain, changes, etc.) were documented appropriately and accurately, leading to the complete payment of the contract.

My attention to the finer details peaked my interest in bookkeeping, and in June 1989 I graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College with my AA and a certificate of completion in small business management.

The search began for a bookkeeping home for me.  I was "green", and went from business to business, continuing my temp work but now as a bookkeeper, trying to find my comfort zone and expand my experience.  Then in 1991 I really lucked out and got a job with a residential home builder.  Ron Perry, a cantankerous man with a heart of gold, who kindly allowed me to design and purchase my home.  Ron is gone now, but I'll never forget him and neither will several of my neighbors.  He helped so many, maybe without even realizing it.  There is a special place in heaven for Ron.  And I sure hope they allow strong language!  Love ya, Ron, and thank you.  I finished the subdivision project with Ron, and he decided against continuing in the industry and retired in 1993.

When the subdivision project started winding down, I accepted a special project at Hewlett Packard working with engineers to compile the 4 volume Preferred Parts Manual.  So, I was still bookkeeping for Ron, but I was also a very good word processor and the HP job was interesting and I made some really good friends over the 15 months or so I was there.  As an aside, at the end of the subd project, I kind of became Ron's "handyman", going to houses, patching cracks and painting, digging out an electrical box that had been set too low, all kinds of things fondly remembered.

Back in 1983, shortly after moving to Santa Rosa, I had joined the Native Daughters of the Golden West, a non-profit organization of California born women.  I became president of my Parlor, probably in about 1986 or 87, and also served as Deputy Grand President for several years.  At the first annual meeting I attended, I found I could actually get up in front of 300 people and express my opinion (thank you NDGW for teaching me public speaking skills).  I guess I got the attention of some, because a few years later I was appointed to the state board of directors.  I served for two years, but found that the travel and other things involved would not fit into my budget of time or money, and had to step down at the end of my second year.  But, this led to one of the most rewarding jobs I have had so far.

NDGW had a wonderful CPA, who was meticulous and kept the Order's books in perfect condition on a manual bookkeeping system, but then he became ill.  It was at this time the NDGW decided it was time to step into the 20th century and put their bookkeeping on computer.  I was so extremely fortunate to get this job.  I commuted to San Francisco, almost daily, sometimes spending the night in our beautiful Home on Baker Street.  I used the conference room to pull out all the binders to verify balances for the various funds, as I set up the books.  It took me about 5 or 6 months to get everything running smoothly, and had to report to the board of directors on my progress and provide reports to all the committees on the funds pertaining to them, and so much more.  To my knowledge, they are still using the system I set up.  I must say I've never been prouder of any work I've ever done, and to help this wonderful organization made the experience that much richer.

After that, I looked around and found a job with a large silk-screening company.  I was there almost a year, but found the job was not going where I had expected it to go.  Then, oh what luck!

Christine M. Cromwell E.A. Tax and Bookkeeping!  Christine is one of the finest people I know, and an excellent tax preparer.  She runs a tight ship and taught me, basically, how to run my own business (although I'm not sure that was her intention).  Christine allowed me to attend her networking breakfasts weekly (Sonoma County Executive Association), having both the tax and bookkeeping slots, so free breakfast and lots of meet and greet, which was great experience too.  I always refer my clients to Christine for tax preparation.  She is extremely attentive to detail and keeps her tax education up to speed at all times.  I worked for Christine for 5 years and kept books for so many different types of businesses, I don't even know where to begin.  This is where I learned to run payroll and became extremely adept at it, and I designed a "double-check" spreadsheet that the office still uses.  After 5 years, I decided it was time to spread my wings and fly, and with regret, left her employ.

Christine kindly let me have one of her biggest bookkeeping clients located in St. Helena when I left, and that was my start.  Shortly after, I started bookkeeping for two neighboring businesses.  Then my Santa Rosa client base started to grow, and I discontinued going to St. Helena and concentrated on building my local clientele.  I joined BNI and was a charter member of Mid-Day Power Partners (one of the most successful and fun BNI groups around) and the women's networking group Connections.  I dropped out of BNI because they are very referral driven.  I had a client at the time that was using me 20 hours a week, which limited my client base and referral ability, so I felt it would be better for the group, and me too, to step aside and let another bookkeeper (the lovely Jeanie) benefit from this great group.  As for Connections, I'll be back soon!  They are a fabulous group and I miss them.

When the recession reared it's ugly head late last year (2008), I started thinking about what type of online business I could start up.  I had designed my home with an office, but didn't seem to be using it much and I really wanted to, so what to do?  I started thinking about all the people I've helped with training and problem solving.  One of my clients uses GoToMeeting all the time, and felt this would be an excellent tool to assist QuickBooks users.  There must be a few hundred people (I hope I'm being very conservative) across the U.S. that would appreciate quick and easy help for a reasonable price.  With a little help from AT&T Yahoo with this quick and easy website, I was on my way.  I just published this site May 6, 2009, so we shall see how it goes.  Every ounce of me says this is the right thing to do.

I have had many clients were I've only made a few visits, and those were for set up and training, so very cost effective for them.  I set up or show them how to set up their chart of accounts and items list so QuickBooks works to their best advantage.  I have been a full-charge bookkeeper for 20 years and have used QuickBooks for the majority of my work.  I became an independent contractor in February 2005.

I have a lot of people to thank, besides those I've already mentioned.  Thanks so much to my husband Steve, my wonderful family, and of course, all of my clients.  Blessings all!

This will do until I get a "glam" photo!