When people go looking for bookkeeping services, they often think the most important thing is finding someone who’s good with numbers – credit and debit, cash in and out – essentially, an analytical problem. You definitely do need analytical and problem solving kills to be a good bookkeeper, but what people forget is that all those numbers tell a story, usually a very complex one. Something we pride ourselves on at Achieve Business is our problem-solving ability, and that means thinking creatively. We can look at numbers on a page or screen and understand the story they are telling about your business. Our job then is to bring all the strands together and make it work.

Since March of 2020, every business owner has had to put their problem-solving skills to the test. How does a restaurant stay afloat when they’re not allowed to serve food? How does a brick-and-mortar store keep making sales when they’re forced to close their doors to customers? We have been amazed at some of the solutions they have come up with.

How Our Clients Adapted

Every business that has managed to keep its head above water in the last two years deserves serious recognition and we take our hats off to all of them. However, there were a few of our clients that flexed their creative brains in ways that really stood out, and we think they deserve special kudos. We reached out to two of those businesses to share their stories of resilience.

Hey Sweetie

Hey Sweetie is a new chocolate shop in Brighton specialising in unique and exotic sweets – they even have a chocolate tap to make your dessert that much more decadent. Unfortunately, they found themselves in the unenviable position of opening right when our big lockdown hit in July of last year. Here’s what Natalie from Hey Sweetie had to say about her experience.

“We started Hey Sweetie in July during a huge COVID lockdown with much trepidation. It was a scary time to open a business, but because we sell food, we could stay open. Lana and her team at Achieve Business helped put our processes into place and mentored us in bookkeeping through this period.

The business was received really well and gave a lot of joy to kids and adults alike during what was a difficult lockdown. We have expanded our range and demand is strong. We have also started to make corporate chocolate slabs which are selling unbelievably well in the lead up to Xmas.

Thank you, Achieve Business, for helping us understand our reports and cash flow position.”

Alperstein Designs

Few industries were affected by the pandemic as severely as the tourism industry, and that covers a lot more than flights and tours. Here’s Marc from Alperstein Designs on how his business was affected and the solution they came up with.

“Being wholesalers with a key base in supplying the tourist industry, the onset of COVID forced us to think outside the box.

Early on, we anticipated that masks would be something that people would need in the short to mid-term, so we began producing a collection of masks to complement our existing ranges. When the demand for masks spiked, we were well positioned with available stock. Being made in Australia, there were relatively short turnarounds compared with the imported masks that were yet to arrive.

Lana and her team at Achieve Business were instrumental in helping us navigate Jobkeeper and Government Grants, helping us to continue operating during lockdowns.”

How Achieve Business Has Adapted

Since the start of the pandemic, all our consultations and meetings have been conducted online. Virtually all our clients needed extra help through this difficult period, so while we were not able to meet with them in person, we have actually been more client-facing than ever before, working closely with them to find solutions to their problems. We are proud to say that, throughout the entire pandemic, not even one of our clients lost their business. We are all now coming out the other side stronger than we were before.

Get in Touch Today

Our experience, honesty, and commitment have made us one of the most respected and sought-after bookkeepers in Australia. Contact Achieve Business today and find out how we can help you solve your bookkeeping challenges.