“I worked for a lot of terrible people.” Sharrin Fuller’s inspiration for her pivot into entrepreneurship was simple and is surely one that many of us have experienced ourselves. Fed up with the inefficiencies, pointless competition, and misuse of resources and power, Sharrin was driven to become the captain of her own ship as CEO of Glass Wallet Ventures.

Discover more about Sharrin’s wisdom, insights, inspirations, and businesses with us on today’s installment of Entrepreneur Stories.

What are three things every Entrepreneur should know?

Sharrin feels that it’s important for every entrepreneur to understand and accept that they will fail. You may not fail in the grand scheme of things, however, failure is a part of the journey – it is a necessary ingredient for success. How you move on from failure – whether it deters or motivates you – will define whether or not you succeed as an entrepreneur. 

Number two on Sharrin’s list is a relatively new one here on Entrepreneur Stories. It is that you should be comfortable with and able to work by yourself. Being okay with yourself and not needing someone to motivate you all the time is important because you don’t have anyone looking over your shoulder as an entrepreneur.

Lastly, Sharrin highlighted the importance of having goals and being clear about what they are. That’s not to say that your goals can’t change or be redefined, only that it’s important to have them as you go into entrepreneurship. Having goals and objectives that you work towards helps you stay focused and maintain momentum in the right direction rather than having energy that’s all over the place.

What problem does your business solve and who are its customers?

Glass Wallet Ventures, Sharrin’s business, works closely with business owners to identify their goals and make sure their operations can grow effectively and operate efficiently. This careful alignment of strategies with growth targets helps businesses overcome the common challenge of scaling.

One of their core offerings is exit strategy planning, whether through acquisition or an alternative path. This offering capitalizes on Sharrin’s accounting background to identify and resolve business inefficiencies, streamline operations, and optimize financial processes to prepare their clients for when and how they want to exit.

Additionally, Glass Wall Ventures owns two distinct accounting firms – one tailored to the fitness and nutrition industry and the other serving VC-backed startups and entrepreneurs. 

They strong emphasis on empowering employees: fostering a work environment where innovation and efficiency improvements are not perceived as threats but as opportunities for team members to feel valued and supported.

What inspired you to become an Entrepreneur?

After experiencing frustrating workplace dynamics and witnessing inefficiencies in various companies, Sharrin made the decision to become an entrepreneur and take control of her own destiny. 

The catalyst for this choice was actually the sale of the company she was working for. Sharrin went on to say that the owner was 85 years old and had no concern for what would happen to her or the rest of the team. It was a stark reminder of the importance of securing your own future.

As she embarked on my entrepreneurial journey, Sharrin carried with her the determination to create a workplace where her team would never endure the same hardships she faced in previous positions. 

Sharrin’s commitment to her team’s well-being became a cornerstone of her business philosophy. She was driven to ensure that the individuals around her, who played instrumental roles in her success, would never have to endure the same frustration and obstacles she had encountered in other organizations.

What would you have done with a million-dollar investment when you first started your business?

Firstly, Sharrin would have invested in upgrading her work setup and essential business software. From acquiring a better computer to creating a comfortable and efficient workspace. When she initially began her business, she had to rely on free online tools with a laptop that didn’t work well, so investing in high-quality equipment would have significantly improved her productivity.

The rest of the funds would have been saved for future growth opportunities, like investing in a work building that could become passive income. At the time, she didn’t require substantial capital, but having a financial cushion would have afforded Sharrin the flexibility to expand her business when the right opportunities arose.

What is your proudest accomplishment as an Entrepreneur?

Sharrin’s proudest accomplishment with her first business was not only the success of her products and the sale of her business but the fact that she achieved all of that without spending money on marketing. Her business grew primarily through word of mouth and referrals, an accomplishment anyone could find pride in. 

However, Sharrin mentioned that what she actually believes to be her greatest accomplishment is the fact that clients and colleagues who work with her have (and say they will continue to) follow her from one company to another. This loyalty and trust from both clients and her team means everything to her. 

It’s a testament to the belief people have in her as a person and in the quality of the services she provides. This is incredibly validating for Sharrin, who began this venture in order to secure stability for herself as well as provide it for others. 

Sharrin finds immense satisfaction in the fact that her team continues to support and follow her, even through different phases of her entrepreneurial journey. In an age where trust is paramount, this trust and support from both her clients and her team stand out as her proudest accomplishment.

What big goals are you looking to achieve?

For her two accounting firms, Sharrin is looking to sell one of them. At a year and a half in, she’s really excited about this milestone. On the other hand, Sharrin is aiming to quadruple and then sell the other accounting firm! 

Additionally, Sharrin has recently ventured into one-on-one coaching, recognizing the need for personalized guidance among many people who seek her assistance. This coaching initiative is a new direction for Glass Wall Ventures based on her deep passion for education and helping both individuals and businesses thrive.

While Sharrin is eager to help as many people as possible, she acknowledges the importance of not spreading herself too thin. She intends to strike a balance between her coaching and educational efforts while managing her time effectively.

Sharrin’s Entrepreneur Story is surely one that many of us can relate to, as there’s no shortage of Horrible Bosses around (just ask Nick, Kurt, and Dale from the 2011 movie). 

Jokes aside, not everyone is built to work for someone else. If that describes you and you’ve got your own Entrepreneur Story to tell, get in touch with us today!