Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Caren Jesseman, Owner of CFO Solution LLC, located in Pennington, NJ, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I provide outsourced CFO and Controller services to small and mid-sized organizations that need to get their accounting and finance operations in order to concentrate on their business' mission.

Tell us about yourself

I am a CPA and an MBA. I spent 15 years in public accounting and 8 years as CFO of a large multi-tiered organization. My business allows me to combine aspects of public accounting, such as delivering top-tier services to my clients, with the accounting and management know-how that I cultivated during my CFO years. I love working with different organizations to help them grow their business or realize the goals that they set out when they first formed their organizations.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I assisted many businesses through COVID. It was a very difficult time to be a business leader, but I was able to work with clients to apply for and secure the different buckets of financial assistance that were appropriate for them. I know many businesses would not be around today if it were not for that assistance.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Being your own boss is not always as pleasurable as it sounds. You are always working. Even on weekends, vacations, and holidays - if there is an emergent issue with a client, it bubbles up to me to solve it.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Surround yourself with a good support team. No one expects you to know everyone. Have the right experts in place that you can tap into when needed.
  2. Network, network, network. You never know when a chance meeting will lead to the perfect client, vendor, or collaborator.
  3. Customer Service - it may seem obvious, but you always need to put your customer first. If you don't, they will find someone else who will.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Being a business owner isn't for everyone. You need a lot of focus, drive, and discipline. You need to remain nimble and flexible to things going on in your business environment and be ready to pivot if necessary. At the same time, being a business owner can be extremely rewarding. I'm very proud of what I've been able to accomplish.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://cfosolutionllc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carenjessemancpa/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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