When you think about “experience,” it’s easy to picture someone with decades in one role, climbing the career ladder rung by rung.
But in reality, most of us don’t have linear career paths. We’ve worked different jobs, worn multiple hats, and picked up skills in unexpected places.
That’s not a weakness; it’s your diverse professional experience. And it’s one of your greatest assets.
A Lesson from “Cash Flow Mike”
Recently, I sat in on a webinar featuring Cash Flow Mike (Mike Milan). His backstory caught my attention: he started in the Army, became a State Trooper, and eventually transitioned into business ownership before becoming a well-known expert on cash flow.
At first glance, those career steps seem disconnected from the world of small business finance. But they all contributed to who Mike is today.
His discipline from the Army, his eye for detail from law enforcement, and his entrepreneurial grit all combine to make him uniquely skilled at teaching cash flow concepts.
The takeaway? Every twist and turn in your journey adds up to create your unique edge.
Your Path Shapes Your Perspective
Maybe you worked retail before starting your bookkeeping business. That taught you customer service, patience, and how to think on your feet.
Maybe you managed a household or volunteered with a nonprofit. Those experiences gave you organizational and leadership skills.
Every past role, every mistake, every challenge has value.
Your background shapes how you approach problems, how you work with clients, and how you build your business.
Don’t discount the pieces of your journey just because they don’t fit neatly on a résumé.
Why This Matters in Business
Clients don’t just hire you for the technical work you do.
They hire you for your perspective, your approach, and your ability to see solutions they might miss.
For example:
A bookkeeper who used to run a small shop understands firsthand the challenges of cash flow.
A business coach who worked in customer service can empathize with clients frustrated by customer churn.
A consultant who once worked in healthcare brings a detail-oriented mindset and sensitivity to compliance issues.
Your “unrelated” experience is part of your value proposition.
Keep Adding to Your Experience
The beauty of experience is that it’s always growing. Every year, you add new lessons, skills, and stories to your toolkit.
And you don’t need to wait for big career changes to expand your knowledge. You can be intentional about building new layers of experience. That might mean:
Taking on a project outside your comfort zone.
Joining a peer group or mastermind.
Enrolling in workshops and webinars.
One of my favorite places for ongoing learning is SCORE.org.
SCORE offers free and low-cost webinars, workshops, and resources on everything from marketing to taxes to business planning. Even if you don’t apply every idea right away, you’re broadening your perspective and giving yourself tools for the future.
Reframing How You See Yourself
Sometimes, when people are new to bookkeeping (or any business), they worry that they don’t have “enough” experience. They look at others who’ve been doing this work for decades and feel like impostors.
But here’s the truth: your experience didn’t start the day you became a bookkeeper or launched your business.
It started years ago, with every job, every skill you picked up, every lesson you learned the hard way.
When you embrace your diverse professional experience, you stop minimizing your worth. You begin to see the value you bring to your clients and your community.
Practical Tips for Leveraging Your Experience
So, how can you put your diverse professional experience to work?
Tell Your Story
Don’t be afraid to share your background with clients or potential clients. Let them know how your past roles shape your perspective today.Look for Crossovers
Identify skills from past jobs that apply to your current business. For example, if you used to manage inventory, that’s highly relevant to helping clients track costs.Stay Curious
Keep learning and experimenting. Even hobbies or side projects can add to your professional toolkit.Build Confidence Through Practice
The more you use your skills in real situations, the more comfortable you’ll feel recognizing and articulating your value.
A Final Word
You don’t need a straight-line résumé to be successful. In fact, it’s the twists, turns, and unexpected stops along the way that often prepare you best for running a business.
Embrace your past. Celebrate your journey. Recognize that you’re not “just” a bookkeeper, entrepreneur, or small business owner.
You’re a seasoned professional, rich in life experience.
And if you want to keep adding to that diverse professional experience, check out SCORE.org. Their library of workshops, webinars, and mentoring resources is a great place to keep your skills fresh and your perspective growing.
