Meet Shanti Morrison-Doherty, the founder of Balanced Bookkeeping, a Yukon-based business helping local entrepreneurs take control of their finances with flexible bookkeeping services. Since starting her business in 2022, Shanti has navigated the challenges of building trust, managing every part of her operation, and growing a sustainable business, all while staying true to her values of confidence, community, and knowing your worth.
From the inspiration behind starting her own business to what drives her every day, Shanti shares her journey, the lessons she’s learned as a woman entrepreneur, and her vision for the future of Balanced Bookkeeping.
Read the full blog post to learn more about Shanti’s story, her entrepreneurial journey, and the insights she has for other women in business.
Photo above from: Cathie Archbould
What does Balanced Bookkeeping do, and what inspired you to start it?
Balanced Bookkeeping supports Yukoners by providing flexible bookkeeping services both onsite and remotely. After more than a decade working for my former boss, he encouraged me to start my own business, and it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made. His guidance and belief in me were truly inspiring and had a lasting impact on my life.
How long have you been running your business? What were the early days like?
I started my business in the spring of 2022. Those early days were both challenging and exciting. I quickly realized that running a home based business wasn’t the right fit for me. Thankfully, I was fortunate to carry forward some strong professional relationships from my previous job. Connections that supported me and helped my business thrive as I found my footing as a new entrepreneur.
What made you decide to apply for the Yukonstruct Mentorship Program?
I believe there’s always something to learn from every person you meet, and I’m constantly striving to grow, both personally and as a business owner. Yukonstruct plays such an important role in strengthening our community, and I can’t think of a better place to find the guidance and support I need to bring my business to the next level.
What are you hoping to learn or gain from the mentorship experience?
Ultimately, I want to build a more sustainable, profitable business that delivers exceptional value to clients while maintaining strong internal structure and balance.
What has been one of the biggest challenges in your entrepreneurial journey so far?
One of the biggest challenges in starting a bookkeeping business is establishing trust and credibility while handling every part of the operation on your own. Bookkeeping relies heavily on trust, clients are sharing their private financial information and depend on you for accuracy, confidentiality, and guidance. Building that reputation takes time, consistency, and strong communication. At the same time, you’re also wearing every hat: marketing your services, setting up systems and software, managing cash flow, and keeping up with changing regulations. Balancing all these responsibilities while trying to grow can be overwhelming, but it’s also incredibly rewarding once that foundation of trust and stability is built.
As a woman in business, is there an experience or perspective you’d like to share with other women entrepreneurs?
As a woman-owned bookkeeping business, I’ve learned that confidence, community, and knowing your worth are everything. Trusting your skills, valuing your time, setting clear boundaries, and surrounding yourself with supportive people can make all the difference in building a successful and fulfilling business.
What does success look like to you right now?
Success as a bookkeeping business owner right now means maintaining strong client relationships, operating efficiently with reliable systems, staying financially sustainable, and continuing to grow both professionally and personally while supporting the success of other local businesses.
What excites you most about the future of your business?
What excites me most about the future of my bookkeeping business is the opportunity to keep growing, embrace new technologies, and help even more local businesses gain clarity and confidence in their finances.
What keeps you motivated as a business owner?
Some days I can hardly believe I get paid to do what I do. It’s incredibly rewarding to know that something I genuinely enjoy; helping people organize their finances, gain clarity in their business, and feel more confident about their numbers, can also make such a meaningful difference in their lives. That feeling never gets old, and it reminds me how lucky I am to have built a career around work that truly fulfills me.
Thank you for sharing, Shanti!