It’s crucial to establish a level of comfort and understanding with your financial advisors to ensure that you’re sharing your aspirations and information with someone you trust and respect. To that end, let us introduce ourselves.
Up first, Lauren Kimbrough. Lauren has worked in accounting since she graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2006. After five years in industry, she is excited to return to the client relationship and service opportunities provided by public accounting practice. Lauren is married to Scott, they have two kids and here’s a little more about her.
(Also – she completed this exercise under EXTREME duress, so appreciate it!)
MKF: What do you do at StillPoint Accounting and in what circumstances would a business leader come to you for something?
LYK: Well… Chief Sounding Board! I listen to concerns and problems that you’re facing to offer thoughtful advice. This isn’t just related to your financials or accounting but also your business processes, personnel, strategy – even work/life balance. You tell me what you’re going through – and I’ll tell you how I can help.
MKF: What was your first job? What did you learn?
LYK: <laughs> My first real paying job was at the dry cleaners where I grew up in Jonesboro, Arkansas. I learned that it pays to be really nice – kindness matters! I was sixteen and people started giving me tips. Also, discretion – I would recommend that everyone check your pockets before you drop off your dry cleaning.
MKF: What’s a mistake you made early on in your career, and what did you learn from it?
LYK: Not asking enough questions. I learned early to ask a lot of questions to get to the root of what is really needed. I remember I did all of this audit testing the way I was told, instead of pressing to get the details about exactly what they wanted. In the end, I had to redo all of it.
MKF: What energizes you at work?
LYK: Seeing success after helping someone implement a new process or learn a new task. That realization that I’ve given someone a new skill.
MKF: What advice would you give to your teenage self?
LYK: Be nicer to your mom.
MKF: What do you do to turn things around when you’re having a bad day?
LYK: Usually listen to music, or find a podcast and recenter myself.
MKF: What’s one thing you’re learning now, and why is it important?
LYK: I would say self-worth and confidence – having confidence in myself. It’s important because it impacts everything – how you carry yourself, how you parent, how you work, how you friend.
MKF: What’s something—big or small—that you’re really good at?
LYK: Back to my earlier answer – being a sounding board.
MKF: What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?
LYK: For me it’s really the time that people take to pay me the compliment, regardless of what the compliment itself is. That someone saw me or my work and took the time and effort to acknowledge it.
MKF: What’s your favorite way to unwind after a busy day?
LYK: With a Sonic drink on my back deck!
