Episode 68: How to Ask for Help in Balancing Your Bookkeeping Business & Personal Life with Shatoria Smith

Jun 5

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Alyssa Lang interviews Shatoria Smith, Owner and Founder of SLSmith Virtual Solutions, about all things balancing business, work and getting her CPA and the journey she’s experienced along the way.In this episode you’ll hear:

Resources mentioned in this episode:

How she is balancing sitting for her CPA exam, running her business and working full time
How to ask for support from friends and family while she navigates her business
How to make clients feel comfortable and confident when working with them

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Ever feel like you're juggling a million things at once and have a hard time asking for help? You're not alone! Today, we're diving into a heartfelt and inspiring conversation I had with the incredible Shatoria Smith. She’s a full-time employee, a mother of three young boys, a bookkeeping business owner, and she's studying for her CPA exam. Trust me, her story will resonate with you and provide some much-needed tips on managing it all.

Studying for the CPA Exam

Shatoria’s dedication to becoming a CPA is seriously inspiring! She balances her study schedule with her job and family life by breaking it into manageable, bite-sized pieces. Studying at night when her kids are asleep allows her to focus better. She sticks to a schedule to avoid falling behind and aims to take her first exam in June. Her method of studying in smaller, consistent chunks is a great strategy for anyone looking to tackle a big goal while managing a busy life.

Here’s what Shatoria had to say about her study routine:

"I try to do like two hours a day, like in bite-sized pieces, because that's the way it will work for me. Because I can't sit there for a long drawn out study session. Like last week I was trying to study and I found myself nodding. So I'm like done, go to bed. I figured if I do it in bite-sized pieces and just do a little bit each day, that would help me in the long run."

Working with Her Husband

One of the keys to Shatoria's success is her ability to delegate and share responsibilities with her husband. They have a shared Google calendar to keep track of each other’s schedules, which helps in managing their household and children effectively. She emphasizes the importance of communication and teamwork, which allows her to focus on her studies and business without feeling overwhelmed.

Shatoria explains:

"Dad needs to take some of the responsibilities. So mommy's not going to lay out everything. I'll make sure the clothes are folded in the drawer, but let him do that. Because I found myself getting stressed out and anxious... Now, when it's 6:45, I get my keys, and if some of them are still asleep, the oldest one is up. Alright, bye mommy's leaving, and I walk out and I have no guilt behind it."

Struggles to Ask for Help

Shatoria shares a powerful anecdote about a time she needed help but hesitated to ask. After battling sinus issues, she found herself feeling off balance when picking up her kids from daycare. A friend stepped in to help her get home safely, reminding her that it’s okay to ask for support. This story shows the importance of reaching out when you need help and the relief and support you can receive from your community.

"When I got to the daycare, I felt a little off. A parent friend saw me and asked if I was okay. I sat down and started crying, saying I didn't feel well enough to drive. She and her husband made sure I got home safely. It felt good knowing someone was there to help when I needed it."

Starting Shatoria’s Firm

Shatoria’s journey into bookkeeping started while she was working at a school district, where she supported school bookkeepers with no financial background. She enjoyed breaking down complex concepts into understandable pieces, which led her to pursue virtual bookkeeping for small business owners. Despite having a demanding full-time job, she launched her own firm, focusing on wedding planners, photographers, and event professionals.

Here’s how she describes her start:

"I started working with school bookkeepers who had no financial background. They were either school clerks, school crossing guards, or former bus drivers. I had to teach them how to do their bookkeeping, how to read a bank statement, how to enter a deposit into the system. I realized I really liked doing this."

Helping Business Owners

Shatoria's approach to bookkeeping is all about making her clients feel comfortable and supported. She uses layman’s terms to explain financial concepts and emphasizes that it’s okay not to know everything. Her empathetic and approachable style helps clients feel at ease and more willing to engage with their finances.

She shares:

"I always explain it to clients in simple terms. For example, co-mingling funds: if your personal expenses come out of your business account, that's co-mingling. I break it down like this so they understand and feel less overwhelmed."

Takeaways and Tips for Balancing Life and Business

Break Tasks into Manageable Chunks: Just like Shatoria's approach to studying for her CPA exam, break your tasks into smaller, manageable pieces to avoid burnout.
Delegate Responsibilities: Share the load with your partner or family members. Use tools like shared calendars to keep everyone on the same page.
Ask for Help: Don’t hesitate to ask for help when you need it. People are often more willing to help than you might think.
Celebrate Small Wins: Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. This can boost your motivation and morale.
Keep Learning: Embrace the learning process and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Building connections with others in your field can provide valuable insights and support.

Advice You Need to Hear

For those just starting their journey, Shatoria advises giving yourself grace. It’s okay not to know everything from the get-go. Building connections and asking questions is sooo important. Celebrate your wins, no matter how small, and remember that it's a learning process. Her mantra, inspired by "The Little Engine That Could," is a reminder to keep pushing forward and believing in yourself.

"Give yourself grace and don't expect to know everything immediately. Use your network to ask questions and celebrate every little achievement. You'll look back and realize how far you've come."

Shatoria’s story is a testament to resilience, teamwork, and the power of asking for help. Whether you’re juggling multiple roles or just starting out in your business journey, her insights offer valuable lessons on balancing life and work. Remember, it’s okay to ask for help, and building a supportive network can make all the difference.

Want to connect with Shatoria? You can find her on Instagram at The Virtual Bookkeeper. She’s always sharing tips and insights on bookkeeping and balancing life.

Thank you for reading, and I hope Shatoria’s story inspires you as much as it inspired me. If you enjoyed this post, please share it with someone who might need a little encouragement today.

About our guest:

Shatoria is a dynamic entrepreneur driven by a mission to foster financial empowerment. As the founder of Coin Countin Mama, she shares her journey to debt-free living, inspiring others to achieve the same. Additionally, through SLSmith Virtual Solutions, Shatoria offers accounting and virtual assistant services, particularly supporting female entrepreneurs and mentoring aspiring virtual assistants.

With a background in Accounting and Finance, she specializes in bookkeeping for small businesses in the wedding and event management industry. Outside of work, Shatoria enjoys bargain hunting, indulging in Hot Tamales, and relaxing with HGTV. Residing in Central Florida with her husband and three sons, she cherishes a harmonious balance between ambition and family life.

Connect with Shatoria:

Send her an email : hello@iamslsmith.com

Follow her on Instagram: @thevirtualbookkeeper

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