Client Corner

This client was featured in February 2004. The information in this profile was accurate at the time of writing. Please contact us if you believe something should be changed.

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Carol Groen
Bookkeeping Solutions, LC
Cedar Falls, Iowa

Husbands and wives should share many things in life, as long as it's not an employer, says bookkeeper, Carol Groen. She learned that lesson the hard way after being laid off the same day as her husband, back in 1985. But hard lessons sometimes pay dividends years down the road, as Carol also learned. Her layoff prompted her to pursue an accounting education, and in March 2003, she opened the doors to Bookkeeping Solutions, LC.

One direct mail piece and two weeks of waiting were enough to get Carol's home-based business off the ground. Since then, she has expanded her client base to represent industries from manufacturing to retail. Her bookkeeping services include monthly and quarterly tax reports, payroll, and financial statements such as cash flows, profit and loss statements, and balance sheets. She can also help to maintain inventory, prepare SBA loan applications and business plans.

Carol's target market includes small businesses with twenty or fewer employees. What makes her business stand out from the competition is her personalized attention and eagerness to educate her clients on accounting topics. She provides pick-up and drop-off service as standard procedure, and is always happy to answer questions.

Carol approached the UNI Regional Business Center looking for marketing help shortly after opening. The success of her direct mail campaign was encouraging, but she learned through her counselor about the necessity of follow-up and regular contact with prospective clients. Without those things, direct mail can do more harm than good. Following that advice remains a constant challenge, but she has the tools to improve and is getting better.

Aside from convincing her clients to get their financials to her in a timely fashion, business is smooth sailing for Carol. She enjoys her business and wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again. Her advice to entrepreneurs making their start, however, would be to thoroughly research the market before jumping in, make sure you love it because it will consume your life, and most importantly, have the support of your spouse.

Bookkeeping Solutions, LC thrives on the philosophy that a competent, qualified bookkeeper can save businesses money by knowing how to record transactions and file reports in a timely manner to avoid government penalties. Contrary to her work experience where the bookkeeper didn't receive the pay or benefits of other employees because they were not critical to the production process, Carol believes that a good bookkeeper is essential for a business to be successful.

Contact Information:
Carol Groen, Owner
Bookkeeping Solutions, LC
PO Box 593, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
319-269-2557
crgroen@iowatelecom.net

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