disruptor noun
Cambridge:
a person or thing that prevents something, especially a system, process, or event, from continuing as usual or as expected
For years if you heard someone called a disruptor, it was more often a negative connotation. Especially when it involved a woman. Being a slight barb to warn others of her. A slight snub to put her “back in her place” or to discredit the work she has been doing.
It has only been recently that disrupting an industry is viewed as a positive. A way to change, to innovate, to turn the market in their favor. It is a positive thing. Being a disruptor can mean something as small as listening to an idea from a new face at the table, taking the time to explore the possibility of what could be instead of immediately dismissing the idea because “that’s not how it’s done”.
In a post pandemic world, the companies that came out ahead were disruptive. They listened to their teams, their customers, and made the necessary changes to create something that was not there before. Embracing the change, still with some apprehension, but knowing it was the only way to make it past two years that crippled so many industries.
It has been a goal of mine to be a disruptor. Being a female in a male dominated industry is not an easy thing. The stereotype of the “good ol’ boys club” is still alive and thriving. It may be more covert and hidden, but females have consistently been held back. I still remember when I was told by an employer that “the CPA would be a feather in your hat but does nothing for me”.
The past two years have provided an opportunity to step into my own. My own story, my own power, my own sense of self-worth. I finally realized that hustling was not the answer. Being true to myself, not apologizing for who I am or what I want and asking for help when I need it. Realizing that profit is NOT a dirty word. It may have been with circumstances I was not ready for, plans gone awry, and the losses of some very close people in my life. In the midst of the pandemic, our company was placed in a situation where not many companies have been.
The path of either giving up or doubling down was very clear. There were not other options and there was not time to think of outcomes. The time to commit to the unknown was barreling through and I drew the line of taking ownership of who I can be.
In June I was awarded the MN National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) as the Disruptor of the Year for 2022. I am still reveling in that achievement on being recognized by other amazing, phenomenal, successful women entrepreneurs as someone who is breaking the mold and making a difference. It was a night of celebration with other women achieving and blowing through the barriers that have been holding us back.
The team I have around me has been the ignitor to keep pushing forward, keep knocking on doors, and being able to put myself out there. I have people who help guide me, provide hard truths, and tough love. I have an amazing husband who has picked me up more than once from a scenario I thought I would not recover from.
My goal is to disrupt the accounting industry. To destroy the billable hour, working 80 hours during tax season, a career path of turn and burn. We want to change the relationship business owners have with their CPA, provide a proactive approach to financials, taxes, and goals, and provide the tools to have a work culture that is second to none.
It takes more than one person to disrupt an industry. To disrupt a nation. To disrupt the status quo.
But we only need one person to start it.