Make Calm your new KPI // Host, Beyond Margins Podcast // I help business owners build calmer businesses with comfortable margins // Speaker, CFO + COO, Consultant

Susan Boles

Everyone tells creators the same thing when safety or privacy comes up: just go private. 

Lock your accounts, stop sharing so much... pull back. 

That advice makes sense if your job doesn't 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 on being visible. But for creators? Your platform IS your business. Going private isn't a safety strategy - it's a career ender. 

And "stay public and hope for the best" isn't' a strategy either. 

But there's a third option. 

𝗨𝗻𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰: Visible where it matters, invisible where it counts. 

It means showing up fully in your public work while choosing exactly what stays private - and making sure it actually is. 

Your content? Discoverable. 
Your home address? Gone. 
Your platform? Growing.
Your family? Unfindable. 

You don't have to choose between your career and your safety. You just have to stop thinking in terms of public vs. private. 

Go Unpublic.

Stay safe when you show up online// Founder at Unpublic & Beyond Margins // I help creators stay safe when they show up online // Make Calm Your New KPI

If you're interested in the behind-the-scenes of building Unpublic... check out this series from Jay Acunzo. 

Or... if you're not interested in the BTS... just check it out to see how many weird faces I make 😆

I help experts become stronger speakers & storytellers. Trusted by authors, coaches, creators, and brands like Salesforce, Mailchimp, & Wistia. Believer in resonance over reach.

If you’re ready to experience greater momentum & clarity as a speaker, coach, or consultant, this behind-the-scenes series is for you.

This year, two clients have given me permission to publish details from my 1:1 advisory engagements publicly with you, so you can see what it takes to refine a mountain of expertise into 1 signature idea, powerful IP, and signature speeches and stories.

In this series, you’ll learn to diagnose why you might feel scattered in your messaging, why your ideas or posts aren’t creating passionate fans, and what it really takes to earn bigger and better stages, both literally and figuratively.

These individuals arrive with plenty of competence. The goal is to help them achieve greater resonance. Like you, they are genuine experts in their industries. Also like you, they’re realizing it’s possible to be deeply respected in your field but still feel replaceable or constantly stuck reacting and chasing. There’s a big difference between being great at Your Thing and being a trusted voice who shapes how people think about the very same topic. 

These clients are...

Kevin Leahy, founder of the podcast strategy and production firm Podcast Pointman. He’s a former producer for Guy Raz (the famous ex-NPR host who created the shows How I Built This and The Great Creators). Kevin previously helped Guy build his production company before he started Podcast Pointman, and today he has achieved real revenue and built a small team. 

Susan Boles, a former COO and CFO who then spent several years running her first business, a consulting and education firm called Beyond Margins, helping entrepreneurs run calm companies through their finance & ops systems. In 2026 however, she moved beyond Beyond Margins (heh…) to start a new business, Unpublic, offering services and education to help creators stay safe online as they get more visible.

I wrote a primer going into more detail about this behind-the-scenes journey. You can read it here, and if you sign up for my newsletter, you'll get 1 edition of this series per month: https://lnkd.in/eFCDk6Ec

Not every parasocial relationship stays parasocial.
 
Sometimes someone in your audience becomes a mutual. A collaborator. An actual friend.

The one-way relationship becomes two-way. You know them back.
 
That's the healthy offramp on the Parasocial Spectrum.
 
The problem is when someone keeps moving down the spectrum 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 that reciprocity. They're not looking for a relationship. They're looking for access.
 
And they don't need your permission to keep going.

For those of you who love "Calm is the New KPI"... you should consider working with Natalia (because she's the one who actually came up with it 😁)

Humanity-first marketer helping you sound like yourself, sell like hell, and harm less.

I'm looking for 4 founders who have a proven offering that is not selling as easily as it should.

By "proven" I mean two things:
1) You've managed to sell it before
2) It's gotten results

I can help you sell more of it by upgrading your messaging, aka the strategy that informs what you say, why they should buy, what makes your offering the obvious choice, the narratives that build trust...etc.

Because if you've tried selling with no messaging, you're doing random acts of marketing.

If you've tried selling with weak messaging, you've got an ignorable offering.

Gimme one week and I'll give you a messaging makeover that brings in more buyers.

This is best for:
coaches
consultants
service providers
creatives
digital product/program entrepreneurs

...who have at least 1K followers or, better yet, a few hundred good-fit subscribers. 


Full details: https://lnkd.in/gENgCvUS
Feel free to DM me with your questions.

People First Finance

Founder and operator of financial services agency helping service business owners manage their finances with ease through bookkeeping, tax planning, and financial strategy all under one roof

Chief Executive Officer

Kindredly

Co-Founder, Facilitator and Managing Partner of an inspired Bay Area collective changing the shape of business in community; both in-person and virtual

Co-Founder

The Female Agency Collective

Member

The Old Girls Club

The Old Girls Club is a virtual gathering space for talented women and non-binary people working in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Dreamers & Doers®

Dreamers & Doers is an award-winning community that amplifies extraordinary women leaders and entrepreneurs through PR opportunities, authentic connections, and high-impact curated resources.

Executive Member

High Five SF

Private business finance and operations consultant for small to mid size businesses. Helping visionary founders implement tools and strategies to accommodate for growth and maximize efficiency.  

1:1 business and personal finance coaching for Bay Area small business owners

Freelance Business Operations and Finance

Sow Juice

Co-Founder and operator of juice business, from pop up concept to farmers market to brick and mortar at the prestigious San Francisco Ferry Building

Founder + Owner

Good Eggs

Responsible for onboarding the first foodmakers and farmers to use the Good Eggs platform

Foodmakers and Farmers Lead

Blue Bottle Coffee Co

Launched and implemented high touch wholesale coffee program for esteemed restaurants and cafes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area

Oversaw cross functional teams and managers to expand the wholesale coffee program nationwide

Director of Wholesale Partnerships

YNPNsfba

Directed organizational strategy and worked with a team of non profit experts to develop this network of support for non profit professionals in the Bay Area.

Advisory Board Member

I launched People First Finance in 2021, to ensure that small business owners thrive. We handle their books, income tax filings and financial strategy so they can sustain and grow profitable businesses. Our women-led team is dedicated to building trust, creating clarity and facilitating action every step of the way.

My newest venture, Kindredly, is a Bay Area born membership community for values-driven business creators. My Co-Founder and I facilitate gatherings that help us all feel less alone, as we pursue self employed work. We believe that in coming together, we are changed. We create opportunities for magic to unfold, as we align with our "why". Our community gathers both in-person and virtually each month.

If you're a service based business owner and/or local to the Bay Area, I would love to connect with you!

Luisa Alberto

Have you ever worked with a graphic designer who...

Makes pretty things vs one who tells a compelling and cohesive story of your brand?
 
My friend 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗰𝗸 is the second kind.
 
She’s a graphic designer and brand strategist who understands that visual identity is more than just nice looking images.
 
It’s the feeling someone gets when they land on your website.  

It’s the clarity of your message before a single word is read.  

It’s the subtle signals that say: “You can trust me, I know my shit.”
 
Jess doesn’t just hand over logos and color palettes.
 
She partners with business owners to:

• Clarify their strategic positioning
• Build cohesive visual identities
• Design brand systems that actually scale
• Create marketing assets that feel intentional and polished
 
And what I appreciate most about her is that she’s thoughtful, listens deeply and cares about getting it right.
 
If you’re a founder who has:  

– Outgrown your DIY brand  
– Evolved your offer but your visuals haven’t caught up  
– Or are ready to invest in a brand presence that matches your expertise
 
Jess is someone you should talk to. Let me know if you want an intro!
 
Strategic branding is what sets you apart from the pack, and the right partner makes all the difference.

You're welcome.

xo,
Luisa

Bookkeeping & Tax & Operations Foundations for Solo Service Business Owners Who Are Done With DIY + Community Builder and 1:1 Business Consultant | 4 X Founder | SF Bay Area Based

I have ZERO personal and business debt.



I graduated college with debt.

I funded my first venture with debt.

I bought things I couldn't afford with debt for years.

And then I started studying personal finance in 2012.

I worked 3-4 jobs at the same time.

I learned how to save, and worked through the debt snowball method.

I cleared my student loans and consumer debt in under 24 months.

12 years later...

I'm a budget master.

I know how to diversify and leverage my investments.

I know when and how to use credit and yield a return.

My 10 year old daughter has more money in her investment account than I had when I moved from NY to CA when I was 22.

Mastering your money is the most powerful skill you can master as a self employed business owner.

It's why the work we do at People First Finance matters.

It's not just about bookkeeping and financial reporting, it's about feeling well informed and empowered to live life on your own terms. 

xo,
Luisa

Hi, I’m Luisa 👋🏼  I support self-employed service business owners with done-for-you solutions, community and 1:1 coaching. 
 
Founder, People First Finance • Co-Founder, Kindredly • 𝘕𝘌𝘞 People First Foundations

When you run a service business on your own, your energy is the infrastructure.

 
And when you’re exhausted, the whole business feels fragile.
 
A minor client request feels enormous, and a slow week feels catastrophic.  
 
Every email feels urgent and every decision feels heavier than it should.
 
Because there’s no structural buffer between you and the work.
 
And when your systems are loose, every mistake feels personal.
 
If an invoice goes out late, it's on you.  If cash flow is tight, you feel like you'll never get ahead.  
 
But most of the time, it’s just an infrastructure gap.
 
𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝘆𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗿𝗶𝘁. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝘂𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀.
 
Systems that reduce decision fatigue, make revenue predictable and separate your identity from the natural rhythm of business.
 
Because when infrastructure is solid, something shifts.
 
An unexpected expense becomes a calculation — not a crisis.  A busy week becomes a scheduling adjustment — not burnout.  A mistake becomes a fixable process issue — not a personal failure.
 
And steadiness allows you to stay in the game long enough for your success to compound.
 
If you’re a solo service provider and everything feels heavier than it should, it's because the system is you.
 
xo,
Luisa

Hi, I’m Luisa 👋🏼  I support self-employed service business owners with done-for-you solutions, community and 1:1 coaching. 
 
Founder, People First Finance • Co-Founder, Kindredly • 𝘕𝘌𝘞 People First Foundations

Is this you? 

We're looking for service business owners who are ready for...

👉🏼 A reliable bookkeeper
👉🏼 Trustworthy financial data
👉🏼 Regular communication
👉🏼 Financial guidance beyond just bookkeeping

We have 3 bookkeeping spots at People First Finance for March!

Our women-led team has depth and experience that you get access to for $625/mo.

Our clients get👇🏼

✅ A financial review of your books for the year included
✅ Weekly bookkeeping
✅ Monthly financial reporting with insights
✅ Secure access and regular communication with your bookkeeper

And so much more.

Everyday, we strive to orchestrate a seamless experience that means you never second guess your numbers.

If you want to more support and peace of mind around your finances, we're excited to support you!

Click here to book a call 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/gEhNShwF

Or hop on my email list to stay in the loop on all the things your accountant never told you 👀 https://lnkd.in/eEAg3Rbi

xo,
Luisa

Hi, I’m Luisa 👋🏼  I support self-employed service business owners with done-for-you solutions, community and 1:1 coaching. 
 
Founder, People First Finance • Co-Founder, Kindredly • 𝘕𝘌𝘞 People First Foundations

I’ve been thinking a lot about productized services.
 


Specifically — why I’m building more of them.
 
In creating done-for-you services for self-employed business owners, it’s easy to slip into custom everything; scope, timelines, communication.
 
And while that can feel high-touch… it’s not always high-value.
 
Here’s my philosophy:
 
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝘂𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱.

They should be clear, repeatable and implemented in a way that doesn’t require constant reinvention.
 
My goal is to always create solutions that result in foundational, needle-moving work at a price that sustains itself every month.
 
The kind of investment that feels steady and essential.
 
When I productize a service, it forces me to become a better problem solver.
 
I can’t hide behind overpromising.  

I have to hold clear boundaries.

My team has to work efficiently, and effectively.

And this kind of support matters for self employed business owners who need the most critical components of their business reliably managed.
 
That's why our bookkeeping and tax support by People First Finance and operations support by People First Foundations are changing the game.

We don't bill hourly, we charge a flat fee that fits your monthly budget.

Then we do the work to make sure it's profitable on our end.

How do you think about productized services?

xo,
Luisa

Hi, I’m Luisa 👋🏼  I support self-employed service business owners with done-for-you solutions, community and 1:1 coaching. 
 
Founder, People First Finance • Co-Founder, Kindredly • 𝘕𝘌𝘞 People First Foundations

If you're a woman with a rockin' business, and you live in the Bay Area... 



...and you've been putting off updated brand photos, this one's for you:

Too many brilliant women build powerful businesses.

And then they disappear behind Canva graphics, cropped group photos, or outdated headshots from five years ago.
 
Because being seen feels vulnerable.
 
That’s why I want to tell you about my brilliant friend, Lila Smyth.
 
She’s the photographer behind Women of SF and a collaborator on Ladysmith; a project amplifying women-owned businesses across San Francisco through portrait-led storytelling and community gatherings. It’s part love letter, part documentation, part statement about who is actually shaping this city.
 
And here’s what makes Lila different:
 
She doesn’t just take beautiful photos.  She creates safety.
 
If you hate having your photo taken…  If you feel awkward in front of a camera…  If you’re worried you won’t look “natural”…
 
You're exactly the kind of person she’s incredible with.
 
She's creative, yes.  But she’s also deeply grounded and a sublime human. 
 
When you feel safe and like yourself in front of a camera, perfection isn't the goal - authenticity is. And that's how you stand out in your field.
 
Lila is currently offering quarter-day shoots, an approachable way to update your visual identity without it becoming a whole production.
 
If your brand photos don’t reflect who you are anymore, and you're not into having your photo taken, this your loving nudge to connect with a photographer who gets it.
 
Learn more here 👉🏼 https://lnkd.in/gCZQwuRJ

xo,
Luisa

Open article: SERVICES — Lila Gray Photography by lilagrayphotography.com

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The Battle

Susan Boles

Luisa Alberto

Followers

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Performance ScoreSusan Boles's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreLuisa Alberto's LinkedIn Performance

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taplio

The Battle

Susan Boles

Luisa Alberto

Followers

Posts

Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Susan Boles's LinkedIn Performance

Performance ScoreLuisa Alberto's LinkedIn Performance

Ready to grow your LinkedIn presence?

Performance ScoreSusan Boles's LinkedIn Performance