Feature article about Joanne DelBalso Owner of No Fuss Accounting Services. To read the entire magazine please go to : http://issuu.com/syracusewomanmag/docs/swm_april2012_issue/13

1. ::W.B.O.C’S LEADING WOMAN
Joanne Del Balso:
A true entrepreneurial rock star!
BY FARAH F. JADRAN I PHOTO BY CINDY BELL
After almost 20 years of being someone else’s employee, Joanne Del Balso crossed over and became
her own boss. On Oct. 12, 2007, Joanne bought the DBA (“doing business as”) to No Fuss
Accounting Services. “I’ll never forget [that it was Oct. 12] because it’s my birthday,” she said.
Heading toward the fifth anniversary of her business, Joanne reflected upon all the positive
experiences she has had since becoming an entrepreneur. Part of her business launch, and
much of what she says helped her achieve success, was becoming a member of the Women’s
Business Opportunities Connections. The WBOC is a non-profit organization that supports
professional women and entrepreneurship through year-round networking and business
programs. Joanne has been involved with the WBOC since November of 2007, both
as a former treasurer for the WBOC Board of Directors and also as the organization’s
administrator. “It’s all about the relationships that I’ve built,” Joanne said. “I immediately
connected with [longtime] members.”
In particular, Joanne said Lisa DeVeau, owner of Completely Organized, encouraged
her to join and to put in for the vacant treasurer’s position on the board. Coincidentally,
Joanne helped DeVeau with the concept for Completely Organized 10 years ago. Their
reciprocation of support is a keen example of the WBOC mission.
Through her WBOC involvement Joanne not only started networking and learning
how to use social media to boost her own business and market her services, but now
she has mastered it. Anyone who knows Joanne or follows @NoFussAcctng on Twitter
knows she could be easily classified as the local “rock star” of social media, networking
and teaching others how to master it as well. “I guess I’m a teacher and I never knew
it.” Besides offering one-on-one and group social media coaching, Joanne also offers
QuickBooks training for solo-preneurs. She understands that not all small-business owners
can afford to outsource their bookkeeping needs. “I set them up and make sure they know
what they’re doing and I check on them after that.”
However, once an entrepreneur is established, it is time to “let go” and focus on
other priorities, like making money! Even Joanne had to let go and give the
bookkeeping task to Janine Joss, her assistant. While enjoying a day at the No
Fuss office on a Friday, Joanne joked about Joss also being known as the
“head of maintenance” since she does a little bit of everything. Joanne
also explained that Friday is “Pajama Friday,” it’s not just a “casual” day.
“Be wary if you book an appointment with me on a Friday, you might
s e e me in my pajamas.” Giving Joss a task such as bookkeeping
gives Joanne more time for clients and driving new business,
something she suggests other businesses should do as well.
“The less time you spend counting beans the more time
you’ll have marketing your products, services or company.”
Thus far, her own business has been thriving and she’s had
the joy of seeing other entrepreneurs, many of them WBOC
members, succeed while she handles their accounting
needs. “I come across different people with new types of
services or products.” For instance, one of her clients, Jessica
Hofschulte, introduced unique seatbelt bags to the CNY
area when she started JJ’s Creative Gifts. “I get excited when
I see [my clients] succeed…it means I am succeeding.”
The WBOC is a local non-profit organization that has been
providing support to women and access to innovative events and
workshops for 20 years. Whether running our own business,
working for an employer or launching a new endeavor,
women are connected through their entrepreneurial mindset.
The WBOC and Syracuse Woman Magazine are exclusive
partners and aim to promote each other’s missions. For
information on how to become a member, visit
www.wboconnection.org.
12 APRIL 2012 :: SYRACUSEWOMANMAG.COM