Team Spotlight: Al-Nesha Jones, Head of Finance

What do you do at RAISE?

I support both clients and team members as RAISE’s fractional CFO. Overseeing accounting, budgeting, reporting, cash flow management and payroll are all in my wheelhouse.

Favorite part of what you do?

I love being able to communicate both internally and externally with key stakeholders. I have the pleasure of regularly connecting with team members, and clients, so there’s never a boring moment.

What do you read every day?

At least 15 pages of a book, every night (even when I’m absolutely exhausted). Currently, I’m reading “We Should All Be Millionaires: A Woman’s Guide to Earning More, Building Wealth, and Gaining Economic Power” by Rachel Rodgers.

Financial advice you think every growing company should know?

Train yourself not to spend every dime that you earn, pay yourself as the business owner, engage with an accountant very early in the process, and remember that time IS money. Spend your time doing what you’re fantastic at, and find other fantastic resources for the rest. If accounting is not in your space of genius, you could lose hours on end doing it wrong, depriving yourself of the information you need to make solid decisions. Growing a sustainable business requires the right people, in the right seats, operating in the space where they excel.

Best quote/job advice you’ve ever received?

Failure is not a bad thing. It helps you to figure out what you don’t like, or what you want to know more about. This helps you to get to know yourself better. When you figure out what you have to offer, what gaps you fill… the things that make you unique; you won’t have to chase the money — it’ll find you.

What pandemic behavior do you think will stick around, and why?

Social distancing! And if it doesn’t stick around, I’ll be pretty sad about it. I think we’ve all realized how close we’ve been to strangers all day for so long. Giving one another some breathing room in stores and typically crowded places is an underrated gem.