Dancing to the Beat of My Own Drum: The Origin Story of Nikia Burch and Confident Bookkeeping Solutions

April 3, 2024 8am Nikia Burch

Read Time: Approximately 8-10 minutes

Like all the badass superhero movies from Marvel and DC, I firmly believe that origin stories are among the best ways to authentically share with the world your unique upbringing and the trials and tribulations that shape your life journey, ultimately leading to the discovery of the best version of yourself and your true calling.

With the recent launch of Confident Bookkeeping Solutions, I believe it is fitting to share my own origin story, my beginnings, wins, and losses, and the persistent feeling that I was meant for more, yet unsure of what that entailed. Along the way, I encountered tragedies that put my dreams on hold for a decade. However, stepping out on faith and believing in myself, God, and my talents led me to try something new. It may sound like the start of a dramatic movie, but trust me, it is more than that, and if you continue reading, I promise it won't be as bad as Madam Web, LOL.

To start, ever since I was a child, I have always been free-spirited and possessed a desire to be different and do things on my terms. I have always danced to the beat of my own drum however offbeat it was LOL. I started picking up jobs as young as 15 and quickly realized I absolutely hated working for others and found a desire to do my own thing and carve out my own path.

Peep me looking very over it.

Fast forward to my adult years, I quickly discovered that Corporate America was not my cup of tea, primarily due to its culture of tap-dancing and super fake energy. I've never been one to kiss-ass, and I believe this reluctance to engage in corporate politics hindered my advancement within the companies I worked for. I'm sure if you're an entrepreneur like me, you've likely experienced similar sentiments.

I wasn't a defiant employee nor did I arrogantly believe I was superior to everyone else. I consistently exceeded expectations in my roles, consistently receiving 4’s on my evaluations (out of a 5-point scale). However, despite my performance, no one was ever willing to help me climb the corporate ladder. Honestly, I don’t believe climbing that ladder was my destiny. My spirit always craved more, beyond what Corporate America could offer, so I viewed each job as an opportunity to gain knowledge and experience for my own endeavors.

During my stint in Corporate America, I mainly dabbled in financial roles (A/R, A/P, reconciliations, cash management, etc.). It was in this numerical labyrinth that I unearthed my passion for numbers. However, I didn't fully embrace this epiphany or my "calling" until much later, as you'll soon discover. Skipping ahead to 2008, I contemplated venturing into the real estate world and flipping properties. Yet, my plans hit a roadblock when I tragically lost my husband the same year, leaving me to juggle the demands of raising three kids aged 3 to 7.

Despite the turmoil caused by this tragedy, my entrepreneurial spirit remained undeterred. The desire to chart my own course and be my own boss continued to burn within me. However, the weight of personal loss and the responsibility to prioritize my family's well-being pressed pause on my dreams for a decade. Fortunately, in 2018, a decade later, I ventured into the realm of credit repair. However, I eventually let go of this business due to the overwhelming paperwork it entailed. Looking ahead, I envision myself shifting towards educating people on maintaining good credit rather than fixing it after the fact.

Then, two years later, around December 2020, I recall sitting at my desk, praying asking God, "Please tell me what I can do right now that will not require me to go to school, pay for any certifications but that I can take all my skills and experiences right now and start my own business with.” After that prayer, I swear I heard a voice (God's voice) telling me to launch a Virtual Assistant business.

At that moment, I experienced an overwhelming sense of clarity, prompting me to dive headfirst into establishing this new venture. I brainstormed a name, secured a domain, obtained my EIN, and filed my Articles of Organization with the state. And thus, Innovative VA was born on January 6th, 2021 (yes, I know, a memorable day we'd rather forget!). Initially, it was a tough journey, both in terms of establishing my brand and balancing a full-time job alongside my budding business.

However, by the fourth month, I managed to secure four clients. Little did I anticipate that a few months later, an opportunity would arise for me to transition from my full-time job to focus solely on my business. This opportunity presented itself when I had the chance to pitch my services to a financial services company in need of a virtual assistant. Despite the odds, my business was chosen, marking a pivotal moment in my entrepreneurial journey.

What's truly remarkable about this moment is that even before receiving the contract, while awaiting the CEO's decision on the virtual assistant, I sought guidance through prayer and followed the signs provided by God. When I learned that it was down to just one other company and mine competing for the client's business, I made the bold decision to quit my job. And guess who ultimately secured the life-changing client? Me! Prior to winning this client, many of my friends thought I was crazy for leaving my full-time job without securing the client first. But let me tell you something about myself: when God signals to move, I move. I refused to let anyone's opinion deter me from following my faith and pursuing what I believed God had destined for me.

As time progressed and my virtual assistant business evolved, I came to the realization that I lacked specificity in the type of clients I desired, and this lack of focus reflected in the diversity of clients I was booking. My clientele was diverse, spanning various types of needs. However, I started noticing that my most valued clients were those seeking bookkeeping and back office support. This realization prompted me to shift my focus towards prioritizing bookkeeping and back office services. Consequently, in 2023, I established Essential Admin Solutions.

My aim was to provide comprehensive administrative support for fellow service providers such as coaches and consultants. As the year progressed, I cultivated relationships within the industry, and one significant connection, in the form of a business coach, reignited my long-standing passion for numbers. It was at this juncture that my affinity for numbers, which I had recognized long ago, resurfaced. This newfound alignment sparked a decision to transition solely to offering bookkeeping services. Consequently, I rebranded my business from Essential Admin Solutions to Confident Bookkeeping Solutions. As the saying goes, the third time's the charm, and Confident Bookkeeping Solutions is here to stay.

Confident Bookkeeping Solutions represents the culmination of my passion for numbers and my desire to empower individuals through financial education. Moreover, it fills a critical gap in the market. I have frequently encountered business owners struggling with financial data, which hampers their decision-making abilities. This confusion often places bookkeeping to the bottom of their priority lists, resulting in financial neglect that affects all facets of their operations.

It is my goal, along with the mission of Confident Bookkeeping Solutions, to empower business owners with the necessary tools and data, enabling them to make informed decisions for their businesses. Every business owner should effortlessly discern when to grant themselves a raise, when it's feasible to hire or outsource, comprehend their cash flow and projections, and adeptly manage a budget. If you're not at that stage yet or seek more specialized bookkeeping support, strategic financial guidance, or simply need clarity on why this matters, CBS is here to help.

What I absolutely adore about bringing CBS into the industry is our dedication to female empowerment and advancement. I'm genuinely passionate about assisting other women in grasping all facets of their financial lives. Witnessing businesses thrive brings me immense joy because their success is also mine. I'm thrilled to embark on this journey and eagerly anticipate its growth.

If you've stuck around this far, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading my origin story blog. This is just the beginning of many blogs that CBS will be publishing on our website. We're excited to cover a range of topics to empower you with the knowledge you need to make informed business decisions.

To stay connected and see more of our content, follow us on Instagram @confidentbookkeepingsolutions and connect with me on LinkedIn under my name, Nikia Burch.

PS: CBS is gearing up to launch our email newsletter soon, so stay tuned for updates!