ABOUT LISA
I’ve Been There.
I’ve been the business owner worrying about budgets, profits,
cash flow, people, growth, and unexpected crises.
I’ve faced decisions without a clear answer. I’ve had employees counting on me, investors expecting results—and more than once, I’ve learned things the hard way.
I’ve been in that hot seat.
That’s the experience I bring to business advising.
FROM ANALYST TO ENTREPRENEUR
My Business Education Got Very Real.
My career started on the financial side, as an auditor and commercial
credit analyst. I learned to analyze businesses, read the financial
story, spot problems and opportunities, and evaluate the business’
financial health.
But I had an entrepreneur’s heart.
I started a healthcare company from a business plan I wrote and grew it
to more than 1,100 employees, 9 offices in 6 states and $14M in revenue.
And it was not at all easy.
When our first expansion offices didn’t perform to plan, we faced
running out of money—unless we broke even in exactly four months.
So I became a sales coach, flying to a different office every week
and working directly with our Nurse Managers. We changed what wasn’t
working, grew revenues and reached breakeven with about two weeks to spare.
That experience reinforced something I’ve carried with me ever since:
The numbers matter. The systems matter. And ultimately, good people make it happen.
NONPROFIT LEADERSHIP
I’ve Led on the Nonprofit Side, Too.
As CEO of a crisis center, I led a nonprofit with a
$3M budget, 75 employees, 75+ volunteers, and 8 programs,
including a Crisis and Suicide Hotline staffed 24/7.
Different mission. Same leadership realities: funding, people,
priorities, and making difficult decisions with limited resources.
I also secured significant new funding without adding staff. So when
I work with a nonprofit client, I look at the whole organization,
even when our immediate goal is fundraising.
I’ve sat in that chair, too.
When I look at a business…
It’s second nature for me to ask:
I’ve been the entrepreneur who needed solutions. And I’ve benefited
enormously from smart people who challenged my thinking and helped
me see things differently.
That’s how I work with another owner: look at the whole business,
identify the roadblocks, challenge and support the leaders, and
focus on the right priorities.