Stacy Dechnik

I moved here about six and a half years ago from Michigan. When I was moving to Goshen I was excited because I saw that there was a thriving downtown here. You can do anything in Goshen – a business or event or anything you want to make happen, people are there and they want to help you and support you.

I went to to Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN, and now own Stacy Dechnik Bookkeeping. When I moved to Goshen I got a job at Pizzeria Venturi and got to know local business owner Eric Kenagy. Eric came up with this idea for local artists who didn’t fit the typical Goshen artists mold. He started a place called The Local, and I was present at the first meeting. Eric taught me how to do the books for The Local, and then when he had a spot open at Red Post he asked if I wanted to bookkeep there. I worked at Red Post for two years, and started my own business three and a half years ago.

I was afraid to start my own business. You’re really putting yourself out there in such a confident way, but it feels like a facade because you’re still trying to figure things out. Having to go out there and market yourself is also scary, but again, Goshen is amazing and I had around four clients within my first week.

How much bookkeeping helps people and gives them peace of mind surprised me. I feel good about making a lot of people really, really happy. Bookkeeping doesn’t involve a lot of math, even though that’s what people think. It’s really about organizing.

Something I’d like to do, though I don’t feel remotely ready yet, is to do personal money coaching to help individuals and families deal with money and debt. In the future, I’d also like to grow my business and employ more people. I have one part-time employee right now.

I have around 20 clients I meet with who are mostly local small businesses owners. I like that I’m helping multiple small businesses.

I’m on the board of the new, resurrected The Local, and that’s really cool to be part of. When I’m not working, I love being able to walk downtown and go out to eat or have a cocktail. I love how supportive Goshen is of the artists and the events that we have. It’s hard to find a day when there isn’t something going on. I like being able to go to other cities, too, but I find myself comparing them to Goshen and then being excited to come home.