As we celebrate the fourth anniversary of this “First Friday Female Founder Feature” series, it seems the perfect time to address the financial aspect of entrepreneurship, and, thus, I’m so excited to share the amazing Lis Lee. Back in January of 2020 (yes, right before the pandemic hit!), I joined a group for Emily Grey’s Get After It Getaway program in Nashville, TN, and met Lis as one of the fellow attendees. She possesses this amazing balance of brilliance with regards to numbers alongside a true, genuine care for fellow women business owners, empathizing with our pain points and holding our hands along the path to finding the necessary answers. Enjoy this peek inside the mind and heart of this absolute rock star!

About Elisabeth Lee

Elisabeth Lee, who goes by Lis Lee, is a bookkeeper for service-based solopreneurs. While she may be a numbers girl, you’re not just a number to her. Lis behaves like a partner for each of her clients because that’s what she believes bookkeeping is all about — being in the weeds with you as you make everyday decisions for your business. Her one and only goal is to help each client feel calm and confident when looking at your business bank account.

First Friday Female Founder Feature:

Elisabeth Lee

How would you describe your company and the products / services you offer?

I provide done-for-you bookkeeping services to small business owners, primarily solopreneurs in service-based businesses. I also have a course & community for beginner solopreneurs who want to learn the basics of business finances and be supported in doing their own bookkeeping. This part of business is so important because having organized numbers and a solid foundational understanding of your business finances is crucial for sustainable business health and peace-of-mind.

Why did you start your company?

My dad's dad started a business, and, then, my dad took it over. I worked there all throughout my growing up years. I didn't think I'd ever want to own my own business but it really was part of my upbringing and I think that gave me a lot of insight into the challenges that small businesses can face. I went to school and got my accounting degree and then went into corporate, public accounting for awhile, got burned out there but learned a lot. Next I went on to work for several non-profits and government agencies before finally deciding to start my own business as I wanted to be able to work and pursue my passion while also being present with my family (something that had been difficult/impossible at my other jobs). Starting my own business was the best option to be able to do both. I've kept going because I truly love what I do and I believe it's part of my purpose to help other business owners on their journey through my knowledge of bookkeeping and finances. Being able to make someone's journey easier, more enjoyable, lighter, more free, and more calm is such a gift to them but also is very rewarding for me as well. I have a daughter now and it's important for me to show her that there are so many options of what you can do in this world. The path might not be conventional or what you expected, but if you don't give up it will be there for you to find.

What has been the most rewarding part of your journey in founding this company?

Being able to create a business where I can have an impact doing something I truly enjoy and see it improve people’s lives while simultaneously improving my and my family’s life has been the best thing ever!

About what are you most proud?

Being my daughter’s mom. I’m so proud of my baby girl.

Are you naturally organized, was it a skill you learned or is it something with which you regularly struggle, and what tips or tools do you use to stay your most organized?

In my younger years I would say I enjoyed organizing, but I struggled to put it all together as I got older and had to learn how to manage things myself. When I first started college, I really struggled with time management and staying on top of everything. What really changed the game for me was adding more commitments (I know that sounds counterintuitive lol. Becoming a student athlete and adding a job on top of everything forced me to face my shortcomings and learn to properly plan as I had to learn how to manage more in a sustainable way.

Also, getting my first paper calendar/planner and using it to make sure I could stay on top of commitments and be able to visualize my life and time was such a game changer. Even today my most powerful tool for organization in all things is my planner. Becoming a mom has challenged me again in this department as my time has become less predictable, but that’s made me rely even more on the tools I’ve used for years. I still love a paper planner, but in my current stage of life I’m all about my Google calendar and use it all day every day to keep myself and my family on track.

Who’s the one person who changed your life and why?

My daughter is the person who absolutely changed my life more than anyone or anything ever before. Becoming a mom has been the most challenging thing I’ve ever done but it’s also made me better in so many ways. I’m so much more efficient, focused, empathic, and resilient than my previous self.

What words of wisdom would you have for someone who is overwhelmed with staying organized and / or productive?

Get help! Seek out resources and mentors to learn from them and their experiences. For me that looked like learning from people online (YouTube, blogs, etc.) and also real-life people who I looked up to for the way they were able to manage their time and life.

Do you use technology to help stay productive or organized? If so, what’s your favorite program, app or tech tool?

Like I mentioned above, Google Calendar is my go-to app to stay organized and on track. I LOVE apps and use so many in areas that you might not think of as organizational, but as part of the whole they help keep everything on track. For example, I have a favorite workout app that helps me stay organized and efficient with getting my fitness in as a busy mom who’s also running a business.

How do you feel about work / life efficiency or integration in your life, including any tips or challenges for managing the personal and professional commitments in your life?

Especially since becoming a mom and needing to solo parent quite a bit, I’ve found the most effective strategy for me is to get more help and support in both personal and professional areas of life as needed. I like to have a good set of resources on deck and draw on them as needed depending on how life is ebbing and flowing. Throughout the past several years that’s included things like using a meal delivery service, having a housekeeper, having a house manager type role, hiring help in my bookkeeping business, and finding a babysitter who can be flexible with offering childcare support for me to work or take care of personal life things.

It might not be all these things all the time, but it’s helpful to see them all as options to use as needed depending on how life is life-ing. Recently, we moved and downsized our living situation significantly and no longer have as many personal support options in play as they aren’t as needed right now, and my daughter is getting a little bit older. Right now, what’s working is having a solid crew of flexible babysitters and having an assistant bookkeeper to support on the business side.

You are no less than because you need more support or if you do it all yourself. Also, I was so intimidated by the idea of finding the right people and options to support me as I began to need more help. I thought it would be impossible to find the right people I could trust to do a good job and that it would be SO expensive. What I learned is that, if you’re patient, creative and open-minded, you can absolutely find the right people and solutions to make sure you feel as supported as possible in the areas that you most need it.

About what causes are you most passionate?

I’m very passionate about business owner’s learning to become more confident and comfortable with understanding the financial piece of their business. Through bookkeeping and organized finances, you can understand what’s actually happening in your business financially which can lead to better, more confident decision-making.

What have you found to be the most effective way to relax after a long day or super long week?

Going on a walk, getting a workout in, taking a nap, spending time with family outdoors, ordering take-out from a favorite local place so we can just focus on resting and relaxing.

What is your favorite inspirational quote?

One that’s been on my mind in this season of life is “The move that you’re afraid to make could be the one that changes everything” -unknown

I’ve changed and my life has changed so much in the past several years and that’s required a lot of big moves behind the scenes that seem/seemed intimidating and overwhelming at first, but those very same moves had/have the potential to change things so much for the better.

What is your favorite author / book?

Right now, if I’m reading a physical book, it’s a children’s book I’m reading to my daughter. We’ve been loving Pete the Cat and anything Jan Brett lately lol and of course Bluey. It’s been so fun to do this daily with her and I feel like it’s actually improved my public speaking ability because I’m practicing intentional intonation and enunciation haha. We also read a daily devotional book together. We’re currently reading through Milk & Honey: A Devotional Journey Through Scripture to Savor God's Goodness by Cambria Joy Dam-Mikkelsen. I also enjoy listening to personal development or professional development books and podcasts whenever I’ve got a few minutes to myself.

What is your go-to accessory?

I have a few special pieces I’ve received as gifts over the years that are very meaningful to me, and I wear them with everything. I also never go anywhere without a reusable bottle of water! 😜

What are the fundamentals of your beauty routine?

I am VERY low maintenance here. Years ago I reacted to makeup and I’ve never really worn it since. It took some getting used to, but now I feel more like myself without it than with it. On very rare occasions I’ll still do light makeup. On a daily basis I use the same few products on repeat: Alaffia Everyday Coconut Face Cleanser, Alteya Organics Rose Water, and the Roe Wellness Power Pair. Before I had my daughter I was pretty consistent with getting facials. Just a regular organic facial for me nothing super fancy. Maybe someday I’ll get back to those again.

What is your favorite food?

My husband and I like to cook and are foodies for sure so this is a hard one. I love things made with fresh, wholesome ingredients.

Of the locally-owned and -operated establishments in the place you currently live, which are your top 3 favorites?

We currently live in Northern Virginia. Our favorites here are all food or coffee related. We love Swing’s Coffee, anything from the Great American Restaurant family, and MOM’s Organic Market.

What is your favorite place that you have visited?

My favorite place in the whole world is the central coast of California. My family visited there often when I was growing up and that’s where my husband and I got married. We recently got to take my daughter there for the first time and it was so special.

What movie could you watch on endless loop?

The only thing on repeat right now is Bluey and Minnie Mouse

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Being a mom is a super power. Like for real.

What advice would you give your 21-year-old self?

Take more rest. Don’t break your body trying to do too much. Practice more self-compassion and do things in a sustainable way.

If you could have lunch with anyone (living or deceased), who would it be and why?

I’d love to have lunch with all my favorite professional female athletes. I was an athlete in high school and college, and I still love to follow my sport. There’s so much crossover in what it takes to be successful in sports and business, and I love to draw inspiration from that.

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