By Brandon Reiter
Today is the 3rd anniversary of Skyview CFO. It’s been a while since I last posted… I’ve been busy!
A lot has happened since I last posted, so I wanted to share my recent experiences in an effort to show those who may be feeling challenged entering the workforce or finding the ‘right’ career path, that there are plenty of different ways to get your foot in the door.
In August 2022, I moved Skyview HQ out of my apartment and into a WeWork office in midtown Manhattan. While I was unpacking, one of my neighbors walked into my office and asked what I did. I told him that I provide CFO services to small businesses, and he nodded and said, “I could probably use that soon.”
Less than a month later, he became my biggest client. After more than 20 years in construction, he recently started his own general contracting firm and needed someone to help manage the financial operations. While I had experience in other industries, I knew nothing about construction. I can’t even hang up a picture frame, if I am being honest. Nonetheless, I had to teach myself all about the unique financial processes in the field, and luckily my new client was patient and saw that I was a quick learner.
At first, like most of my clients at the time, he only needed my services for a few hours per week. But over the next year, his business kept growing . It was growing so fast, I was faced with some tough decisions. In order to provide the level of service he needed, I would have to drop some of my other clients. I had tried hiring people to manage those relationships while I grew the business, but in the end it became tough for me to train and provide the same level of service my clients expected. After negotiating, my client agreed to a new rate that would allow me to part ways amicably with those other clients, while still allowing me to maintain some of my smaller accounts who only required my services for a few hours each month.
Fast forward a few more months and I am now managing the financial operations of a multi-million dollar company, in an industry I knew nothing about two years ago. I still have helped other clients on the side, including a start up I invested in after meeting the founder while I was judging a business plan competition at my alma mater, Syracuse University.
While the journey of Skyview CFO has many miles ahead, it has taken a major pivot from since I launched in May 2021. My original intention was to provide financial services within the summer camp industry, but I found that my business model did not really work best for them. Currently, I am no longer providing services, or taking on clients in the summer camp industry. Not until I decide to buy one, that is.
The point is that there is more than one way to get a job. I’m not saying you should make a consulting firm and take the route I did, but there are more ways than just applying to job posts behind a keyboard. You need to think outside the box. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been far from perfect. I was losing money every month in my first year and made plenty of mistakes along the way. It was not easy, especially while earning my Master’s in Accounting, and dealing with my parent’s lengthy divorce at the same time, but I have finally found myself on a path I am proud of.
I see a lot of recent graduates trying to enter the workforce now, complaining that nobody is hiring, while expecting six figure salaries to work remotely in jobs they have zero experience in. No job is going to just jump out and get you. Sometimes they fall in your lap, but more often than not, you have to figure out alternate routes and prove yourself. You have to be okay not being a millionaire in your 20s. You have to be okay not making money, coming into an office, and learning. I have no idea where I’ll be in five years, if Skyview CFO will still exist, but what I will tell you is that I’m always trying to figure out how to increase my value while doing something I enjoy.
I intend to do more writing. I enjoy blogging about business topics and might consider putting out a new book in the future so stay tuned.
Lastly, I could not have done this all without my strong support system who has gotten me through the times of doubt, and to remind me that the people who are hating on my path and trying to bring me down are insignificant.
If you have any questions about my experience or want some advice, please email me at brandon@skyviewcfo.com .
-B
