Business Consulting & Planning for Small Business Owners

Helping you better understand your business, your numbers, and how to create a plan that supports long-term growth and sustainability.

A Different Kind of Business Support

Running a business involves more than working hard.

It requires understanding how your business operates, how money moves through it, and what your numbers are telling you so you can make informed decisions about the future.

That’s where our work together begins.

A More Practical, Personal Approach to Consulting

Every business owner’s situation is different.

Some business owners are just getting started. Others are trying to grow, become more organized, prepare for financing, or simply gain a better understanding of their current financial position.

My approach is not about overwhelming you with complicated reports or generic advice.

It starts with listening first.

Together, we take a realistic look at:

  • How your business currently operates
  • What challenges you’re facing
  • What systems may need improvement
  • What goals you’re trying to achieve
  • What information you need in order to move forward confidently
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The goal is not perfection. The goal is clarity, sustainability, and informed decision-making.
Why Financial Understanding Matters

Too many business owners are told that success will come if they simply keep pushing forward.

But without understanding your balance sheet, profit and loss statements, and cash flow, it becomes difficult to make informed business decisions.

I’ve learned that businesses often struggle, not because owners aren’t working hard enough,  but because they don’t have enough visibility into the financial side of the business.

That visibility matters.

When you understand your numbers, you gain the ability to:

What Clients Are Saying
I found Teri via QB during a major banking crisis with new personnel. Over the years have come to rely on Teri's expertise to translate what we do into custom QBO GLs, Reports, and makes my job very automated and easy. She has handled our account setup cleanup, reconciliations, and always finds the needle in the datastack. I highly recommend Teri Hayes for your small but growing accounting operations.

How I Can Help

How I Support Small Business Owners

Startup Consulting

Helping new business owners build a stronger financial and operational foundation from the beginning.

Business Planning & Budgeting

Helping you create practical plans that support your goals and help you better understand the financial side of your business.

Financial Readiness & Sustainability

Helping you create systems and visibility that support long-term stability and growth.

Business Coaching & Advisory Support

Providing ongoing conversations and guidance as your business evolves.

Who This Is Designed For

This service is a good fit for:

  • Small business owners seeking guidance and clarity
  • Startups trying to build a strong foundation
  • Businesses preparing for growth or financing
  • Owners wanting better financial visibility
  • Businesses needing support with organization and planning
  • Owners who want a trusted advisor to help talk through decisions

What Makes This Different

No two businesses operate exactly the same way.

That’s why I believe consulting should be based on listening, understanding, and building solutions that fit your actual operations,  not forcing you into generic systems or processes.

The work we do together is collaborative, practical, and focused on helping you create a business that works in a sustainable way.

Three Ways To Strengthen Financial Readiness

Whether you’re preparing for growth, financing, or simply trying to gain better control of your business, financial readiness matters.

Organized Financial Records

What organized financial records help demonstrate:

  • How your business earns money
  • Whether revenue is consistent
  • Whether cash flow supports repayment or growth
  • That your business is organized and prepared

You don’t need a large accounting firm to create financial readiness.

But you do need consistent and up-to-date financial information.

That means understanding:

  • Profit and loss statements
  • Cash flow
  • Basic financial reporting
  • How your business is performing financially

Whether you’re using QuickBooks or spreadsheets, being able to explain your numbers matters.

Financial Visibility

When your reporting is organized and understandable, you gain better visibility into:

  • Expenses
  • Revenue trends
  • Cash flow
  • Operational challenges
  • Areas for improvement

Sustainable Planning

Planning is not about trying to predict everything perfectly.

It’s about building a realistic framework that supports your goals while helping you prepare for challenges and opportunities along the way.

Closing Statement

Financial readiness is about being organized, transparent, and prepared.

You are not presenting your business from a place of desperation.

You are presenting an opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this only for new businesses?

No. This service supports both startups and established businesses looking for better organization, planning, and financial understanding.

No. We can work with your current systems and determine what makes the most sense for your business.

Yes. Financial organization and planning are important parts of preparing for future opportunities.

It can be either. Some clients need short-term guidance while others benefit from ongoing advisory support.

No. While based in the Pittsburgh area, remote support is also available.