Jean Knows Business

Thank you for your interest!
 

I have more than twenty-five years of business experience, beginning at age twenty-one with a medical equipment company. After earning my Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Finance, I worked as a financial consultant at an investment firm. Although it was lucrative, I realized it wasn’t the right fit for me. I then became a financial analyst, researching Medicare supplement and long-term care insurance companies. The day the towers fell, everything changed for me—like so many Americans, I saw life differently. As a single mother of two young daughters, I chose to leave the corporate world and build my own horse boarding and training facility, Second Wind Farm. There, my daughters and I worked side by side, and the farm taught them a strong work ethic and invaluable life skills.
 

During this time, I gained a deeper appreciation for bookkeeping. I had long understood financial statements and cash flow, but I realized how vital bookkeeping is for small business owners. After selling the farm in 2008, I managed a local tax office, overseeing over 300 tax returns each season. Working with CPAs, preparers, and clients gave me a full grasp of financial accounting—from the first entry to the final tax return.
 

In 2012, after my youngest daughter graduated from college, I moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, to be closer to my mother. After moving to Raleigh, I continued building my accounting experience by serving as a controller for companies in different industries, including a pool construction company and a solar energy installation company. These roles gave me a deeper understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, job costing, internal processes, and the financial challenges businesses face as they grow. Combined with my own experience as a business owner, I developed a unique perspective on both sides of the equation—the importance of accurate financial records and the realities of running a successful business.
 

In 2024, I founded Jean Knows Business. I don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Every business and owner is unique, and together we determine the most efficient, economical, and realistic methods for managing your bookkeeping. My goal is to make your job easier while providing accurate financial information you can trust.

 

Sincerely,
 

​Jean Kegu Gallardo