One of my favorite stories is *The Sound of Music*. Maria’s journey to find purpose, strength, and love deeply resonates with me. Her unwavering spirit and commitment to creating a better life for herself and her family is something I admire. One of the lines from the musical always stays with me: *"A dream that will need all the love you can give, every day of your life, for as long as you live."*

I never thought I’d relate that message to climbing a mountain. Hiking and rock climbing were never my thing—I'd much rather get lost in the elegance of a Viennese waltz or enjoy a peaceful walk through the forest. My fear of heights was cemented during a traumatic experience in Sedona, where I found myself clinging to a rock face, petrified. What fear paralyzes you?

When my then-partner (now husband) suggested we climb Mt. Washington for my birthday, I was less than enthusiastic. Though I felt strong and in shape from years of yoga, the idea of tackling one of the Northeast's tallest peaks seemed daunting. I had visited Mt. Washington before—by car—but climbing it? That was a different story. Despite my hesitation, plans were made, and the excitement built. But as the day grew nearer, so did the panic. Could I really face this challenge?

On June 23, 2017, I stood at the summit of Mt. Washington, 6,288 feet above sea level, with a smile of triumph. That climb was a defining moment. Each step felt heavy with fear, but I kept moving, chanting to myself, *"One step, Susan, that's all you need."* It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it taught me that fear can be turned into fuel, and challenges can be overcome one step at a time.

Being an entrepreneur is a lot like that climb. It’s about taking on challenges, one at a time, and turning obstacles into opportunities. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, I’ve spent most of my career self-employed, running a health and wellness business and working as a 1099 contractor. Like mountain climbing, there are ups and downs. But after years of managing my business, I had an epiphany: I was missing crucial financial tools like an Income Statement and a Balance Sheet.

I used to rely on notebooks—my version of ledgers—and collected receipts, thinking I had everything under control. Then I met a bookkeeper at a women’s networking event, and she opened my eyes to the importance of tracking business metrics. She explained that financial data guides all decision-making. So, I took the plunge, subscribed to QuickBooks, and started entering my financial information. The clarity was incredible—it transformed how I ran my business.

Now, I’m passionate about helping other small business owners get organized, understand their numbers, and make smarter, more profitable decisions. Just like mountain climbing, entrepreneurship is a journey taken one step at a time, and I’m here to help others navigate it.