Susan DeBoss of DeBoss Business Solutions is a no-nonsense, problem-solving powerhouse dedicated to supporting local businesses. With a career built on resilience and adaptability, she’s passionate about helping small businesses navigate financial complexities. In this candid Q&A, Susan shares the women who inspire her, the lessons she’s learned from setbacks, and why customer service is the true emperor of business.

Which women Inspire you the most?
I have many business women who inspire me on a daily basis, many are not in my industry, and most have had more than one career change. All have helped me in different ways, and a lot of the time just by being available.

What financial advice do you have for women starting their own businesses, particularly around managing cash flow and payroll?
Know your limitations, work on where you are lacking and if it’s too hard – find someone to help you. Asking for help is not failure, its common sense.

“Every time a woman stands up, she stands up for us all.”

What industry trends are you most excited about?
AI – Without Chat GTP my emails would be short succinct and more than likely sarcastically rude. My AI Friend (I have named him Jarvis) softens my emails and helps me to word things diplomatically. PMSL. In my industry, things change every day, so keeping up with industry trends and requirements is a huge undertaking… but hey, that’s why I’m paid to do what I do  so that you don’t have to.

What failure or setback are you most grateful for, and how did it shape who you are today?
Covid helped me to understand that “niche” isn’t putting all your eggs in one basket. And I put all my eggs into the Bus Tourism Industry – lost 98% of my business overnight. I learnt to take notice of my business, put plans and strategies into place to future proof myself against setbacks. Failure is not the be all and end all – it’s a learning curve, learn from it, get back up and make sure it doesn’t happen again. The more you learn the more you shape your own destiny.

Is there a woman in your life you admire or are inspired by? and why?
I am Inspired and in Awe of Gina Gypsy Forde from Obsidian Marketing and Tanya Chaplin from Chaplin Screens. Both of which have become friends over many years. Gina simply because she is made of a similar cloth to me, tells me how it is, tells me what I’m doing wrong and how to fix it and generally gives me a kick where I need it. She has the stamina and get up and go that sometimes makes me dizzy. Tanya because she has had so many career incarnations and is so knowledgeable on some of the more complex issues, a chat with both can clear my overthinking. Both women are dedicated to helping our local small businesses and am extremely honoured to know both of them.

What’s your International Women’s Day message?
Every time a woman stands up for herself – she stands up for us all.