A Goal Without A Plan Is Just A Wish.
Chatting With Caroline - Pursuing Your Dreams While Working A 9-5
Written By: GoalSetters International
I began my business several months prior to actually leaving my full time position. I was working towards leaving my job, but had not really committed to it, and still had not found any clients.
Caroline Passmore
CEO CRP Specialists
Can you tell us what type of business you run and how long you've been operating this business?
I provide bookkeeping for small businesses as well as mentor bookkeepers to help them move their business forward. I work specifically with nonprofits organizations, trucking companies and have a special package that I have recently put together for hair and nail salons, as most of them are independent contractors that rent their stations, and they are not money people.
I know, I started off as a nail technician when I was young. So, this holds a special place in my heart. So, I created this package to start them off in an accounting software, then do a quarterly check in for a small fee, and have them ready to prepare their taxes come year end.
The mentoring side of my business came about due to me observing through many of the Facebook communities that there was a lack of fair priced mentors.
I had been approached by many coaches and mentors who offered their services at extremely high value, of which I could in no way afford. I knew that if I could not afford it, others could not either. Being that this was my second time beginning my business, as I had previously had a business in the 90’s, but had been forced to close it due to life circumstances. I had a young child to support at the time, and had no other choice but to return to the working world as I had let my business suffer, due to the circumstances.
But I knew that it was time to begin again, and I could offer a lot of insight to those who were just starting out. It truly has been the most meaningful and rewarding part of my business since I began mentoring bookkeepers to see them grow and see their businesses blossom into their dream business. That is what it is truly all about.
Can you share with us some details about how you got started in the Accounting & Bookkeeping Industry?
I worked for a construction company as a jobsite assistant. I handled every aspect of the jobsite on a multi million dollar project that lasted three years to build.
This was a truly massive project. I gained so much knowledge of construction and purchase orders and accounting and bookkeeping during that time that it simply reinforced in me how much I loved that type of work. I had already begun taking some college courses in Accounting prior to that, but never completed them, as I got married and had a child, so life interrupted.
So, after that particular project was complete, I left that company and started my business. Several of the subcontractors that had worked on that project were my first customers. From there, word of mouth, and feet to pavement, spreading the word by putting flyers in front of people, going to networking events, and that type of thing was the way to spread the word. It was amazing how fast it grew.
If you've had some challenges and roadblocks along the way. Can you share with us what some of those challenges have been in regards to starting or running this business and how you overcame them?
I definitely had a few bumps in getting this particular business started. I began my business several months prior to actually leaving my full time position.
I was working towards leaving my job, but had not really committed to it, and still had not found any clients. My husband and I had a conversation about it, and decided that with the long hours I was working there was no way I would be able to get out and network to gain clients, so I had to quit my job to dedicate myself to my business. Well, I gave my notice and left my job in December 2020.
So, getting started and getting my official business up and running in January. I had just begun my journey and had just made a few good connections. I had gone to a couple of networking events, and met some fantastic people to gain a few great clients and connected with some CPA’s to gain referrals. Then the pandemic hit and I had to learn a whole new way of communicating and speaking with everyone!
Let's talk about the services you offer, who do you help, and how do you help?
I provide bookkeeping, payroll, accounts payable and receivable for the general bookkeeping and non profit organizations. I prepare IFTA & IRP registrations for the trucking companies as well as file IFTA quarterly taxes.
I use both Quickbooks and Xero accounting platforms, depending on the industry, and am happy to make recommendations for each organization if they need any applications to enhance their business and their finances.
What's your best advice for those that desire to improve their finances?
The best thing any organization can do to improve their finances is to ensure that they have processes and procedures in place.
The fact that most organizations are not aware of how things are done within their organization and how work should flow is often the downfall of most organizations. In accounting we have what are called separation of duties, or segregation of duties, which means that I, as the bookkeeper, would prepare the invoice or prepare the check, and another person would be the signer or approver of the invoice.
That way there is a separation of the duties. This should all be documented so there is no doubt as to who does what, and the work flows clearly and is assigned to the correct person.
I am an Asana Certified Pro. My company uses Asana to create workflows for every organization we take on to ensure that everything is done properly and that every assignment is completed in a timely manner. It also ensures we never miss a deadline.
We have a lot of different deadlines, being that we deal with multiple organizations, so it would be impossible to keep them all straight without some sort of systems and processes in place.
With all that you've accomplished so far, did setting goals contribute to your success so far?
Oh my goodness. I have set multiple goals. Goals never involve just one. You set one, then when you reach it, you set another one. Isn’t that what goal setting is all about?
One of my favorite quotes “It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves”. So, I always set what I considered reasonable goals.
When I achieved those goals, I set another reasonable goal. I continue to set goals each and every day for myself and my business. I could not thrive in my business without goals, I teach this to those I mentor as well. It is a very important part of mindset to work hard to achieve those goals.
Here at GoalSetters, we like to say " A Goal Without A Plan is Just A Wish", what's your advice on the best way that people can go about accomplishing the goals that they set?
As I previously mentioned, don’t make unrealistic goals, or you are setting yourself up for failure. Set realistic goals that are attainable.
That is the most important thing I can emphasize about goal setting. Set short term achievable goals. It is also okay to set big long term goals. Dream big! I believe in setting very high long term goals.
As long as they are realistic and attainable within the industry in which you are building that dream. But those short term goals, I do them three months at a time, and realistic. I give myself little soundbites, is what I call them.
In closing, for those that may require your services or may need mentorship, how can they connect with you?
I can be found on Facebook here:
https://www.facebook.com/CRPSpecialists
My website is
Or you can email me:
Thank you so much for this wonderful opportunity and for taking the time to speak with me.
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