Today we’d like to introduce you to Marika Ponton
Hi Marika, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Reno, Nevada and from a very young age my parents and grandpa truly taught me that I could be anything I wanted to be, could achieve anything I wanted to and that they would be there to support me at all times. That unwavering support and love helped me form my own healthy self confidence in all matters in life. Everything I have done over the years goes back to knowing that I was supported – even if they didn’t agree with some of the choices I made. They also inspired me to:
1) Be involved in the community
2) Be fearless about trying new things and
3) Be resourceful in pursuing a successful life – the answers and solutions are out there for anything you need, from education or from relationships.
That is how my unique story started and how my life has played out so far is a direct reflection of the values that my family instilled in me.
I went to college in California and earned an accounting degree and also had a ton of fun playing the tuba in the Fresno State marching band! I am a super nerd all the way back – accounting, marching band and reading voraciously which is still one of my favorite pastimes.
For the next 15 years I audited hundreds of companies financial statements and assessed their internal controls which gave me incredible experience with different techniques of financial analysis, management styles, and a deep insight into the challenges that come with running and owning a business. I saw where companies could improve systems and bottom line profitability and I also built lasting relationships with clients who learned to trust my input and professionalism about matters related to their sensitive information.
Always independent and ready for new challenges and with the experience I gained auditing others books, I decided to try owning my own business. Going back and tapping into that healthy self confidence that my family helped me gain I purchased a flooring business – yep, flooring! I saw such an opportunity to stand out in that industry as a female, with a CPA background, who loves design and color and I did just that. I grew that business to a highly profitable location and was recognized as a top sales person.
Owning a small business proved to be significantly harder than I had anticipated though! I had to draw on my fearlessness and resourcefulness, be adaptable and determined, and use creative resources to help me increase the value of the business and ultimately have a profitable exit. I utilized Office Angels for administrative and human resources support, and the flexibility that came from as-needed Virtual Professionals transformed the efficiency and operations of my flooring business. I was so impressed by that transformation that a few years later, after I had built and successfully sold the flooring business, I bought Office Angels.
Now I lead and guide Office Angels’ continuing strategic mission to help small business owners flourish! It has been like a Eureka – (or should I say Marika!) experience that has opened a bunch of other fabulous opportunities in the process. I am also using my background auditing and running businesses to help other business owners experience success by running their own Financials First operation.
Working so closely with many Office Angels clients who are owners and leaders has me in constant conversations about how to improve their financial situation, their profitability, and their systems. It was a natural progression for me to formally become a Profitability Coach. I thrive on being a Secret Weapon behind the scenes finding ways to increase revenue, manage expenses more efficiently, and help owners understand how their financials are the key to a profitable business.
Tapping into how it all started with unwavering support and inspiration to be my best self and achieve whatever I wanted I now bring that positive force along with some Profit Truths to my clients to help them achieve their goals!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We are in Atlanta – do we know what a smooth road is?! lol There were some smooth roads but for the most part there were many challenges and bumpy uphill roads all along my continuing life journey! I struggled with antiquated and stuffy environments in public accounting that tried to stifle my positive ways and colorful style, I struggled with so many unanticipated challenges finding new ways to increase revenue in small business. I learned how to market successfully when what I was doing didn’t work anymore. How we deal with struggles defines us and highlights our potential for growth and greater things. I always found a way to dig in and access my deepest levels of grit to push through and make things happen. I now inspire and encourage my coaching clients to dig into their financials and achieve profitability they never thought possible!
As you know, we’re big fans of Office Angels & Profitability Coach. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Just like a reflection of my varied professional background I have two businesses that I am very proud of! Both of them have the same mission: to help small business owners flourish!
I am the CEO of Office Angels, the most flexible, efficient Virtual Professional Services for small business owners and overwhelmed solos looking for extra help. Bookkeeping, administrative support, marketing, social media and many more services – all on an as-needed basis. For over 24 years we have been matching experienced professionals with small biz owners that need to offload responsibilities. Yep, there’s an Angel for that!
I am also a Profitability Coach, helping those same small business owners gain control and grow their businesses like never before through a simple, smart, Financials First approach, which I call Profit Truths. This is the one role that combines my 15 years of experience auditing companies, my own experience building businesses, and my unique style of, shall we say, telling it like it is. With Profit Truths, I offer small business owners an expert look at their financials, creative ideas to improve them, and a thoughtful, disciplined new understanding of how to manage them tightly and with confidence. It’s called Profit Truths because your financials don’t lie, and neither do I!
I get immense personal fulfillment by helping people in their businesses – especially with clarity in their financials. If you don’t know your financials you don’t know how you are performing or how you can improve. Don’t be afraid of them. They are so powerful if you dig in, figure it out, get coaching, and find resources. Just don’t do nothing! I specialize in finding ways to do something even if it is just one step towards one improvement. One step leads the way to the next and your success is right there at the top of the staircase.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.officeangels.us
- Instagram: officeangels.us
- Other: https://www.theprofitabilitycoach.net
