Liz Stone of Baldwin & Associates in Mount Pleasant, SC

When did you decide to go into the business you are in?
I took some accounting classes in college that I really enjoyed, but my major was in Internal Business Studies with a concentration in French, so I took a large variety of courses. I worked in a few different industries post-grad without finding my fulfillment. I gave it some time, and after reflecting on my college accounting experience, I decided to go back to school full time for my Master’s in Accountancy.

What’s an outside skill, quality or experience you’ve brought to your industry? How has it impacted you/your career?
Efficiency. As a working mother I must be efficient in order to accomplish everything I need to in a day. It’s true when they say that you should give a working mom your to-do list to watch it disappear. I absolutely have brought my professional efficiency skills into my home life and vice versa – ask any other women in the professional world, and they’ll tell you the same!

Tell us about how you grew up and who shaped you into the woman you are today.
I grew up in a loving and supportive family. I didn’t automatically excel in school – I had to work very hard to get average grades. It taught me how to work hard from a very young age. When I got to college all of skills that I had honed when I was younger shined bright and I excelled.

Give us some Success tips for someone just starting out in your line of work.
A willing attitude will take you far in this career. The best way to learn is to jump right and give it your best try. Shadow people you aspire to be, and always ask questions. It’s been said that if you aren’t asking questions, you aren’t doing your job – observation is a key part to growth, but so is being inquisitive!