The Journey of “Hallway Pam”
When I decided to dive into entrepreneurship after a fulfilling thirty-year career in corporate finance, I had no idea the adventures that awaited me.
With twenty years spent at DuPont and its subsidiaries, I was fortunate to have mentors who not only nurtured my leadership skills but also instilled in me the importance of how I approached tasks, not just what I accomplished.
Following the sale of our subsidiary to Bristol-Myers Squibb, I served as a CFO in various companies, ranging from private equity to mid-market firms.
And it was during this time that I realized my passion for working with entrepreneurs.
Because unlike in the corporate world, where I had experienced great examples of supportive leadership, smaller companies’ access to experienced financial guidance was slim to none.
And seeing this gap (and opportunity) ignited the spark that led to the creation of my current venture, Priorities Group, where we offer on-demand, professional financial services for small businesses.
The Birth of “Hallway Pam”
Diving deeper into the world of entrepreneurship after leaving corporate, I noticed a curious trend.
While I expected every small business owner to prioritize setting up robust financial systems (yeah, fat chance, Pam), I quickly learned otherwise.
Despite delivering speeches, courses, and even authoring a book on the topic (Your First CFO), I found that only a small percentage of entrepreneurs actively sought out financial guidance from the get-go.
And that was a huuuuuge shock to me.
But what truly surprised me most was the flood of private conversations I found myself having in the hallways of these conferences and events (and sometimes even airports).
At whatever event I was attending, in the hallways – any hallway – as I would walk from the conference hall to a breakout room, or from my hotel room to breakfast, or waiting for my Uber to the airport … it would happen.
“Pssst. Pam,” I’d hear. “Do you have a second?”
And someone would be walking towards me, making sure we were alone and out of anyone else’s earshot.
“So, can I tell you about my financial situation? I think I need your help.”
And this happened over and over again – so reliably that my colleagues started calling me “Hallway Pam.”
It seemed that entrepreneurs were actually quite eager to discuss their financial challenges, but they needed the privacy of a one-on-one conversation.
Because guess what? Finances are private.
They can hold the deepest secrets and the most embarrassing money stories and financial mistakes of someone’s career.
And they certainly weren’t something that they wanted to share in a roomful of other entrepreneurs!
They trusted me – but only me.
Empowering Entrepreneurs
These hallway conversations revealed a common thread among entrepreneurs—the need for financial confidence.
And the interesting thing about these conversations is that they led to me working with a certain kind of business owner most often.
Although we help all sizes of business, the bread and butter of my company were actually the entrepreneurs who had already become millionaires.
But whether grappling with debt, seizing new opportunities, or navigating new financial success, all the entrepreneurs I had talked to sought the same thing in our conversations: reassurance and guidance.
Regardless of how they had gotten to this point of owning a six-, seven-, or eight-figure business, they all now wish they had taken that financial course, or attended that webinar, or hired that expert bookkeeper at the start of their business.
These entrepreneurs needed more than just a great swing; they needed a winning strategy.
And this realization inspired me to discover what I now understand as the important nuances of financial leadership, leading me to confidently empower entrepreneurs in navigating their journey from success to significance.
The Road Ahead
If you’ve stayed with me this far, it’s because you’re ready to embark on that journey.
You’re ready to achieve more than just basic success.
And my job is to have your back, match your pace, and make sure you know and do everything you need to succeed at whatever the next level is for your business.
Together, we can delve into the intricacies of financial leadership, leveraging your financial information to propel your business towards greater success.
So, buckle up, because we’re about to embark on an adventure that will transform your business—and your life.
Give us a call and together, we’ll diagnose your biggest financial headache.
Author, Virtual CFO, and Finance Coach
“Your First CFO: The Accounting Cure for Small Business Owners” on AMAZON
