Who are you, what defines you?
... passionate about life, about creating change, connecting with people in my life. My beliefs have evolved. I describe myself as spiritual, not religious. I hate shopping.
I asked Kelly how she sees the accounting and financial advisory services business … over the next quarter?
… excellent! We have lots of exciting up-and-comers in our firm. Our work is totally Calgary Business – accounting, audit, tax. Oil & gas, real estate are my primary focuses. Being a locally managed partnership we stand out. National firms tend to be ‘less responsive’.
And over the next 5 years?
… I expect our firm will grow (currently 13 partners). We have great infrastructure. It is hard to be all things to all people. We are a deep services accounting firm. Collins Barrow is a co-operative, with each partnership in different markets charting its own direction, though we share expertise in specialty areas. Public accounting firms train for industry - that's always going to be one of our roles.
What qualities distinguish your preferred colleagues, collaborators and suppliers?
… I love intelligent people who raise the bar for me! Open. Honest. Real.
What distinguishes you that causes people to choose Kelly LaVallie, why do they do business with you, why have they hired you, over your competitors?
... my service niche – owner/managed businesses, experienced, technically proficient – I care about them, I’m emotionally invested in their success.
What do you lose sleep over, what do you worry about?
… I always have some spots in my life I’m working on/worrying about – and then I’m like a dog with a bone – but I believe I have the capacity to make dramatic changes. … Am I too critical as a mom?
Who or what influenced you most – that has made a difference in your life, or that was a major turning point? Heroes?
… My mom. She had some rough patches while I was growing up. We had an epiphany moment - she taught me forgiveness, the capacity to forgive – that has kept me from becoming an angry person. My stepdad – he created a childhood that was good. As a step-mom I found it tough to commit, I wasn’t open and loving enough. That has changed ...
Work life balance?
… career and family (we have 2 kids – 5 & 8 – and my husband has 3 from his first marriage), my husband Dave commutes to Vancouver weekly for his work, hiking, we ski, things kids like to do, running (training for my 1st marathon), gardening, love horses, and dogs (we have a Portuguese Water Dog).
What do you read?
… Brené Brown’s book Daring Greatly. The Untethered Soul by Michael Singer. I’m re-reading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. I used to consume fiction. Like Malcolm Gladwell’s books – but some of them are strange.
Her ride?
… Porsche Cayenne.