Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelley Zwisler.
Hi Kelley, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I was born and raised in Colorado, and it was such a beautiful place to grow up. Shortly after college, I started my journey in HR and talent acquisition, and I quickly realized how passionate I was about helping people and startups grow. My entire career has really centered around one thing: helping others. That’s what drives me.
For seven years, I volunteered as a career coach, donating my time to people going through career transitions. I absolutely loved being part of their journey and helping them rebuild confidence during difficult moments in life.
In 2018, we moved to Minnesota, where I continued working with small and emerging companies. I spent seven years with a data and AI analytics firm working across HR, talent, and operations. It was truly one of the best experiences of my life. I had the opportunity to wear many different hats, help build a market, solve problems, and create friendships and connections that will last a lifetime.
After being laid off, I honestly felt a little lost and unsure of what was next. But that period pushed me to reflect on what I really wanted. After 20 years in HR and talent, I realized I was craving something new, something that challenged me differently while still allowing me to help people in a meaningful way.
That’s when I found bookkeeping.
I always knew I wanted to continue working with small and emerging companies in some way. I’ve always loved the energy, creativity, and problem solving that comes with helping people build something from the ground up. I realized pretty quickly that I loved helping business owners understand their numbers, create organization out of chaos, and feel a little less overwhelmed. It combined so many of the things I’ve always loved, operations, problem solving, relationships, and helping people build something meaningful.
I started True North Co Bookkeeping in 2025, and honestly it has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Building something from the ground up has pushed me in ways I never expected, both personally and professionally. One of the biggest surprises has been the people. Through clients, networking, and the small business community here in Minnesota, I’ve met some truly incredible people and built relationships I’m incredibly thankful for.
I’m very thankful for the clients who trust me to walk beside them on their business journey. At the end of the day, no matter what role I’m in, helping people is what fills me up most. That has really been the common thread throughout my life and career. I’m honestly humbled by the trust people place in me and deeply grateful for the relationships and community that have come from this journey.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but honestly, I think that’s true for most entrepreneurs. Starting over in a completely new industry after spending 20 years in HR and talent acquisition was both exciting and terrifying. There were many moments where I questioned myself and wondered if I was making the right decision.
Being laid off was a huge turning point in my life. It forced me into a season of uncertainty where I had to really figure out who I was outside of my career. Starting a business from scratch comes with a lot of pressure and vulnerability. You are building something while also trying to learn, grow, build confidence, network, market yourself, and financially make it all work at the same time.
One of the biggest challenges has honestly been learning to believe in myself in a completely different space. Even though I had years of professional experience, starting over can make you feel like a beginner again. There’s definitely a lot of imposter syndrome that comes with entrepreneurship and starting over in something completely new.
Networking was also intimidating at first, especially moving to Minnesota and rebuilding connections over time. But honestly, that challenge turned into one of the biggest blessings. The small business and networking community here has been incredibly welcoming and supportive, and I’ve built relationships that I’m truly grateful for.
I also think one of the hardest parts of owning a business is carrying the emotional weight behind the scenes. As business owners, we care deeply about our clients and the work we do, and there are definitely long days and stressful moments behind the scenes that people don’t always see.
But every challenge has helped me grow stronger, more confident, and more resilient. Looking back, even the difficult moments pushed me toward something that feels far more aligned with who I am today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
True North Co Bookkeeping was built to be different from the traditional bookkeeping experience. We are a modern bookkeeping company focused on helping small businesses, startups, and trades and service based companies feel more organized, supported, and confident in their finances.
What makes us different is that we lead with relationships first. We understand that behind every business is a real person carrying a lot of responsibility, stress, and pressure. Our clients are not just another account or set of financials to us. We genuinely care about helping people succeed and creating long term partnerships where business owners feel like they have someone in their corner.
We specialize in QuickBooks Online bookkeeping, cleanups, catch up work, reconciliations, payroll, monthly reporting, and helping business owners create systems that actually work in real life. Many of our clients come to us feeling overwhelmed, behind, or unsure where things stand financially, and one of the things we are most proud of is helping bring calm, clarity, and structure back into their business.
My background in HR, operations, recruiting, and startups has also shaped the way we work with clients. I understand that business ownership is not just about numbers. It is about people, leadership, growth, systems, and making difficult decisions every day. That perspective allows us to support clients in a much more personal and practical way.
Brand wise, I am most proud of building a company that feels approachable, human, and trustworthy. We want clients to feel comfortable asking questions and know they will never be judged. Bookkeeping can feel intimidating for many business owners, and we work hard to make the process feel collaborative, supportive, and easy to understand.
One of the best parts of this journey has been the relationships and community that have come from it. The small business community in Minnesota has been incredibly welcoming, and I feel very grateful to work alongside such hardworking and inspiring people every day.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories was our big family reunions in Silverthorne, Colorado. My family from Iowa would come out every year and we would all spend a full week together in the mountains. We did the simplest things, hiking, playing cards, singing, laughing nonstop, and eating endless chocolate chip cookies.
We went to the same place every year, but somehow every trip felt different and special in its own way. Those weeks were loud, chaotic, funny, and full of memories I’ll never forget.
Family has always been everything to me. Looking back now, I realize those trips were never really about where we were, they were about being together. Those memories still feel like home to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.truenorthbookkeeping.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelleyzwisler/
