Meet the SmartBean® Family
We Are The Beans You Can Count On
Meet the SmartBean® Family
We’re the Beans You Can Count On
SmartBean® is an accurate, reliable daily bookkeeping service for small businesses. We provide entrepreneurs with up-to-date financial information as well as share insights on how to maximize their growth and profit. By helping our clients better understand the current financial well-being of their small business, we empower them to make informed decisions about its future.
Our team is powered by passionate, friendly, and dedicated people — one of the keys to our success. We demonstrate a personal touch in each of our client relationships, and it’s that invaluable connection that differentiates us from others in the market that rely primarily on technology. Together, we’re poised to revolutionize the relationship between small business owners and their numbers.
Because at SmartBean®, we’re not just bean counters; we’re the beans you can count on.
Our goal is to revolutionize the relationship between entrepreneurs and their “numbers”.
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Smile. Love. Achieve.
– Lisa Nguyen
I am certain that every life has a purpose. The magic is in learning what it is and embracing it. I am not yet entirely positive of my life purpose, but I know this: I am happiest with my children (when they are not tired or whiny), as well as when I am able to make a positive impact in the life of my fellow small business entrepreneurs. Over the last 20 years, I have worked for small businesses, invested in small businesses, and have owned my own small business. As a result, I understandably have tremendous respect and empathy for small business entrepreneurs. It takes intelligence, resilience, tremendous self-awareness and guts to start and build a viable business. My dream is to create products and services that will make intrepid entrepreneurs smile more, love more, and achieve more from life.
Lisa is a Certified Public Bookkeeper, a Certified QBO ProAdvisor, and a Certified Payroll Professional. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton and is currently enrolled in the MIT Sloan Executive Education program.
If you are not in the process of becoming the person you want to be, you are automatically engaged in becoming the person you don’t want to be.
– Dale Carnegie
My fascination with small businesses began at a young age, when I thought it’d be fun to repair damaged smartphones in high school and before I knew it, I had built a small reselling operation on eBay. Throughout my college years, I found myself gravitating towards events and people focused on entrepreneurialism and business ownership. After participating in my first startup competition I realized the beauty and freedom there is in owning something. People began calling me crazy because I was no longer on the “normal” path towards a career but focused on building something that I can truly call mine. After a few more adventures in business ownership, I realized it is imperative to seek help from other like-minded people. And that’s why I’m so excited to be a part of Smart Bean, because our focus is to help aspiring business owners reach their dreams and I can’t wait to see it happen.
Jacob’s endeavors in the technology industry began when he became an Acoustics Software Summer Analyst at Boeing. Next, he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California – Irvine and co-founded Swizzy, an augmented reality software solution that streamlined restaurants’ ordering processes. He then moved into IT servicing and founded MorCo, an industrial equipment servicing company. Now his entrepreneurial adventure continues at SmartBean® as our Tech Bean.
You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
– A. A. Milne
My passion for helping people began during my undergraduate studies at California Baptist University. In pursuing my Psychology degree, I found it fascinating to learn about people and how we function together in society. I worked as a barista and as an office assistant for my University while studying. I believe this helped empower me to better understand people and how we come together to collaborate effectively. I finished my degree in just 3 years and landed a position as a system operational specialist. Once I came to SmartBean®, I quickly began managing the internal operational functions of the company and I strive to build myself and others up. I attained my certification as a QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor and have also enrolled in a Master’s program at Pepperdine University to pursue an advanced degree in Psychology. I hope to make a positive impact in other people’s lives, and I believe helping small business entrepreneurs with SmartBean® enables me to do so!
Chloe graduated from California Baptist University with her B.A. in Psychology in just 3 years. She then began to build her experience in customer satisfaction and corporate office operations. Chloe gained valuable operations experience as the System Operational Specialist at Fit Body Boot Camp. She maintains her drive for self-improvement as she is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Psychology. She has also attained her QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor certification while working with us. Chloe is currently our Insightful Bean, and is instrumental in keeping the holistic internal operating procedures running at SmartBean®.
Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times if one only remembers to turn on the light.
– Albus Dumbledore
I love having fun and seeing the bright side of every situation. I genuinely enjoy talking to people from all stages and walks of life and I find joy in helping them achieve their goals. I try to encourage people to succeed and try to motivate them to try new things. I feel most at home working for and with small businesses because I can have a better connection with the people I can interact with. Positivity attracts positivity and I try to spread good vibes as much as I can.
Kim graduated from Golden West College with academic degrees in liberal arts and psychology. Kim’s 7 years of customer service and corporate experience poise her as a great asset for SmartBean®. She has filled her role as an On-Boarding Specialist perfectly, as multiple client testimonials have proven. She is able and willing to work through any roadblocks that our clients may face when first setting up their accounts. SmartBean® is grateful for Kim’s experience in easing our client’s transition from traditional bookkeeping and accounting to the peace of mind that SmartBean® provides.
Believe in yourself and create a life you absolutely love.
– Unknown
I have been working for larger businesses for more than 14 years. As I expanded my knowledge in working for larger companies, I was also curious as to how smaller businesses work. I always thought small business owners should just focus what their business is about, but I never really thought about the financial aspect of it. Working here at SmartBean® as a Client Service Representative gives me the opportunity to see what it is like to handle our clients’ small business financials, as well as being a partner in their business growth. I always look forward to expanding my knowledge and experience in my chosen industry. It is always fascinating to see what life has to offer and it makes me realize that we all have the potential to achieve success!
Arlene acquired her expertise in invoicing and inventory management through working at Nissan USA. She became adept in working with CDK Global software, allowing her to efficiently track and pay dealer invoices, as well as manage incoming inventory. Arlene’s 14 years of corporate experience combined with her adeptness in invoicing and inventory management make her an invaluable addition to the SmartBean® team. She is more than capable of daily posting to and maintaining her clients’ books. SmartBean® is lucky to gain Arlene’s experience to apply ‘big business’ efficiency and our smaller-scale ‘personal touch’ to maintain our client accounts.
Today I live in the quiet, joyous expectation of good.
– Ernest Holman
I grew in the Pasadena, CA area where my family had a small business for many years. I witnessed how hard they worked to make the business successful. I admired their resilience which they shared with most entrepreneurs. After graduating from CSU-Northridge in 2007, I went to work in social services for 10 years. I enjoyed that profession but began a new career in sales in 2017 when my children were a bit older. I believe in being honest and straightforward in all areas of my life. My ability to empathize and communicate with people, especially business owners, is what makes me a good salesperson. I am happy to share SmartBean® with anyone I meet because I believe in its mission to change the way business owners see and use their numbers daily.
Kandria’s 11 years of social service work and sales experience makes her the perfect fit for being our Light Bean at SmartBean®. Kandria worked as a social services professional and was the program director at The MENTOR Network, where she supervised program operations and conducted trainings. Kandria also served as district sales coordinator at AFLAC where she oversaw a half-million dollar producing district with direct supervision over 10 active agents. Her extensive work experience in coordinating with and helping people grow makes her a perfect fit to be an Account Executive at SmartBean®. She chose to be the Light Bean so that she can bring the ‘Bean light of hope’ to our prospective life-long partners: our clients.
However difficult life may seem, there is always something you can do, and succeed at. It matters that you don’t just give up.
– Stephen Hawking
Throughout my time as an undergrad student, I found myself surrounded by individuals who wanted to make a change, an impact, when they left. This mindset was different than most, it wasn’t about going and working for the largest, most well known Companies around the world, but more so making sure that wherever you go, you stand out and make an impact. Eventually, I adopted this mindset. Six weeks after graduation I started my first job in Public Accounting, and to this day remain passionate about the work I do. So when introduced to SmartBean®, I realized that the underlying goal and values of this Company are very similar to the values I made years ago – having a passion for innovation while trying to make a difference. I am happy with the partnership made and look forward to contributing to the goals of this team!
Collin is currently an Audit and Tax Associate at BDO USA, LLP. He received his B.S. in Business Accounting and Minor in Communication Studies from California Baptist University. Collin’s counsel has allowed SmartBean® to ensure all accounting and bookkeeping done for our client accounts follow GAAP as a minimum, and that they undergo strict quality assurance procedures. His auditing expertise allows SmartBean® to produce accurate and trustworthy books to empower our clients with CFO-level metrics to make better, informed business decisions.
And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
– Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince
I like to make things. In every phase of my professional life — whether in public service, film, or tech — I’ve demonstrated a desire, a need to create. To make real what was once only existed in my imagination. It’s an instinct shared by nearly every entrepreneur: a passion to pursue their vision and the willingness to work as hard as necessary to realize it. And it’s that courage, that perseverance to endure that inspires my work at SmartBean®. It’s my pledge to support our clients’ efforts, so that they can focus on the aspects of their lives that they truly love: their business, their families, their dreams. My own diversions outside the office include movies, hiking, American politics and history, grilling, Danish pastries / doughnuts, writing, wine, and my ten-year-old young ‘un. Not necessarily in that order, though, as Danish pastries / doughnuts would otherwise be higher on the list.
Victor, a native of Los Angeles, experienced his first East Coast winter while attending Harvard College. He soon decided to apply his government coursework and served as a staffer to Rep. Joseph P. Kennedy II (D-MA) on Capitol Hill. Upon returning to Southern California and year-round sunshine, he embarked on a long-desired career in film. He eventually joined Junction Entertainment, where he developed National Treasure. He then co-headed his own production shingle, earning his inaugural producing credit as Executive Producer on Walt Disney Pictures’s Invincible. He later served as Sr. Vice President at Mayhem Pictures, shepherding the development of Secretariat and receiving Co-Producer credit on McFarland, USA. Victor has since launched a sales career in financial services and insurance, quickly earning management roles at each firm. He joined SmartBean® in July 2020 as Manager, Sales & Marketing.
All have their worth, and each contributes to the worth of the others.
– J.R.R. Tolkein
My journey to SmartBean® is a winding one beginning in historic Charleston, SC; it has led me through Minnesota, California, and even southwestern China. I have always enjoyed working closely with others and learning about their specific needs and circumstances. In each stage of my career, my goal has always been to provide people with the tools required to achieve their best success. I gravitate towards environments with clear processes, order, and healthy collaboration – making SmartBean® an ideal fit.
Brooks graduated from the College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Arts in Historic Preservation and Community Planning. He went on to work in Guizhou, China as an international intern, and developed core multi-cultural skills while abroad. He moved back to the United States and began work as an account specialist at Employee Retention Benefits, Inc. before moving up to being Vice President of Operations. As Vice President, he founded the operations department and developed various workflows to increase business efficiency, including custom CRM setup and a commissions payment system to revitalize sales. Brooks has now joined SmartBean® as our Adventurous Bean, where he is pivotal as an On-Boarding Specialist. His people skills and operations experience makes him the perfect fit to streamline our client’s on-boardings and to set up their accounts for ongoing, daily bookkeeping.
After a while, you learn to ignore the names people call you and just trust who you are.
– Shrek
Ever since I was a young girl, I was enthralled with exploring the world and learning about different cultures. I spent the past year living in Netherlands, going to classes during the week and traveling to different cities on the weekends. Moving and traveling by myself was one of the most enriching opportunities that I have ever experienced. It has taught me that sometimes there are situations that arise that cannot be planned, and you must be open to new opportunities. I have spent all my life planning out every single aspect of my life, and then getting disappointed when things do not turn out how I want them too. I know now that there is no reason to rush or feel frustrated, but to be patient, take everything day by day, and to only do things that make me happy.
Catherine currently studies Sociology and Philosophy at the University of California – Santa Barbara. She worked as an administrator at the Scholastic Aptitude Test Summer Program where she was responsible for reconciling student registration fees. Catherine then moved on to work as a bookkeeper at Innovative Technology Inc, where she reconciled all accounts payables/receivables, bank, and credit card statements using accounting software. She was also responsible for implementing QuickBooks and T-Sheets into her company’s technology set to streamline client billing. SmartBean® is lucky to have added Catherine as our Bubbly Bean. Her experience in bookkeeping makes her optimal as a client services representative and her clients will surely enjoy the benefits of their accounts being kept up-to-date, daily.
BUSINESS ADVISORS
Never give up.
– Scott Doody
I was raised in Maine, attended both Military school and University, and then joined the Marines. After leaving the service, I worked in various industries including pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and I also taught at CSU Northridge. In 2004 it was time to try my hand at my own business – providing payroll and human resource services to small businesses. That field coincides nicely with the Marines’ training in procedure, repetition and process control. I enjoy helping people and believe that kindness works best alongside my “never give up” approach to life.
Mr. Scott Doody founded and served as President of Quartermaster Payroll Services for nearly 15 years. His experiences in System Implementation, Supply Chain Management, and Employer Services have been invaluable to the small business entrepreneurs that he helped.
Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
– Martin Luther King
With more than 18 years of experience in IT, I have been involved with several successful small businesses where I have played an integral role as a technology leader and have helped them achieve their goals. I learned at an early age that I naturally seek out answers and this led to defining the details for projects and solving problems. I found I was good at directing rather than following. As one associate said, “When Mike says he will take care of something, it is done.” I love helping businesses and individuals attain their goals and dreams. I am grateful for being healthy and live with purpose. My intent is to be beneficial to the universe and its living creatures.
Well-known for starting from scratch to becoming one of the table-turning forces in IT, Mike Parker has achieved major milestones in the IT industry, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and a Master’s degree in Information Systems. His impressive work portfolio includes facilitating growth by transforming outdated IT infrastructures, implementing cloud technology and leading security tools, as well as streamlining operations to maximize resources and reduce costs. He has developed and led high-performing teams through all technical aspects of business management. With more than 18 years of experience in IT, he is a well-rounded IT executive, a progressive expert with comprehensive expertise complemented by strong analytical, planning, communication, and organizational talents. He has overseen individual specialties of cross-functional professionals to coordinate data operations for both enterprise-level, and small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs).
Passion is energy. Feel the power that comes from focusing on what excites you.
– Oprah Winfrey
I have been a passionate leader of diverse experiences ranging from small business to enterprise sales for 25 years. I am known for attracting top talent and for my insightful strategy and execution to deliver consistent growth in turnaround situations. Now that I have retired from corporate America, I am delighted to share my expertise to benefit small businesses in achieving growth and success. I think SmartBean™ is the perfect platform for me to accomplish this.
In the past 25 years, Mrs. Sue Pelletier has held various leadership positions for America’s largest employer services company, Automatic Data Processing (ADP). She has received many awards and recognition. She is highly regarded as an insightful mentor to her peers and employees.
It’s all about integrity and doing what is right, not what is easy.
– Morgan Stevens
As a newly minted college grad with little more than a degree in business under my belt and a passion for the stock market, I set off to Tokyo at the peak of the dot-com bubble to build a career in the fast-paced and cut-throat hedge fund world. By the time I returned to the US nearly fifteen years later, I not only carried the hard-earned wisdom and battle scars of several market cycles, but also a broader appreciation for the most enduring, impactful, and rewarding parts of life. To me, those are the relationships we build with our children, our spouses, our friends, our clients, and our colleagues. As a small business owner, I value tools and services like SmartBean™ that make my life easier, and allow me to focus more of my time on building those relationships, exploring a wide array of market opportunities, and maybe even sneak in a round or three of golf!
Mr. Stevens is a well-respected and highly skilled financial advisor and fund manager with extensive knowledge of both the public and private equity markets. Originally from Orange County, Mr. Stevens spent 15 years in Japan’s hedge fund and institutional banking industry before returning to the US to start Morgan Stevens Asset Management, LLC in 2015.