Joanna Bramer | Founder of Lighthouse Advisory, LLC

Tell us about YOU!!  Hi! My name is Joanna Bramer, and I am the proud founder of Lighthouse Advisory, LLC. Lighthouse Advisory is a boutique management consulting firm that helps make small businesses the most efficient and profitable version of themselves! I graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.S. in business, focusing on accounting and international business. After years working with larger accounting and management consulting firms, I wanted to bring my experience down to the local level where I could make a difference in the lives of small business owners.

What makes you different/stand out in your industry? Most people are familiar with the services of a tax professional and bookkeeper; however, covering only those two services can leave small businesses with a gap. In my experience, so many business owners are incredibly talented and passionate about what they do, yet they are not always as experienced in back-end of running the business. That’s where I come in! Lighthouse Advisory fills the much more strategic role of a CFO or Controller, understanding how financial reports are driven by the operations and output of a business. My role is to analyze available information to determine the impact of activities on the financial health of each organization, strategizing ways to identify efficiencies and improve profitability.

What do your clients love about you? One of the most common themes I hear from my clients is my ability to speak in a language they understand. I help each business owner to better understand the financial health of their business, breaking down the information into a format that’s easy to understand. I provide each client with targets and benchmarks based upon their own goals, projecting future outcomes based upon real-time information. I frequently hear that my clients love having a sounding board to help them work through large financial decisions.

What is the best advice you can share with others?  Business ownership can be incredibly lonely if you do not have trusted advisors. It is so important to know the value of your own time and your own personal strengths. If you spend too much time on a task that would take someone else less time and/or effort, you aren’t valuing your time enough. Know that no one expects you to be the best at everything! Learning the value of my own time is one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned as a business owner!

How has the Women’s Business League helped you? I absolutely love being a part of this wonderful group of women that help lift each other up in their businesses, regardless of industry. The women in my chapter are phenomenal allies, constantly providing me with a sounding board, support, and the cheers that sometimes we all need to hear! Through my time with WBL, I’ve noticed a common theme. The entire network of women is consistently looking for ways to support and connect with each other. WBL has brought me champions, a support system, and network of women in my corner for which I could not be more grateful!