Rising ICON #35: Heide Olson
What name do you prefer to be called?
Heide
What are your pronouns?
She/Her
Where did you grow up?
Granite Falls, MN
What city are you currently based in?
Eagan, MN
How do you typically introduce yourself to new people?
I am Heide Olson, Founder and CEO of All In One Accounting, rebranded in 2023 to Veracity Pros and Accountinuity.
What’s one thing you wish more people knew about you?
My deep passion for entrepreneurship. I firmly believe that entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy, driving growth through their innovation, willingness to take risks, and boldness. Their contributions are essential, not just in shaping the marketplace but also in creating new job opportunities and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Who do you help?
I lead a team committed to guiding entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders from financial chaos to clarity and strategic insight, enabling them to scale their operations efficiently. Our work with entrepreneurs focuses on increasing profitability and protecting their assets. For nonprofits, we aim to extend their mission’s reach by instilling confidence in their financial reporting among executive directors, boards, and funders, empowering these organizations to achieve a greater impact.
What are you building now?
Currently, I’m focused on significantly expanding Veracity Pros and Accountinuity over the next decade. My goal is to profoundly impact entrepreneurs and nonprofits, enhancing their operations and ensuring their success on a much larger scale.
What were you building ten years ago today?
Ten years ago today, I was laying the groundwork for a scalable business, focusing on real-time research and development. The aim was to create a solid infrastructure centered around the right team, efficient processes, comprehensive data, and a clear vision.
What do you predict of yourself 10 years from now?
Aiming for a tenfold growth in all aspects of my professional and personal endeavors.
What’s a fact or statistic you wish everyone knew about your industry?
The accounting field is currently facing a critical shortage of professionals.
Why do you believe the work you do matters?
It delivers clarity and supports data-driven decisions for entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits, enriching and bringing joy to their team’s lives. Beyond that, it plays a crucial role in increasing the value of their businesses, fueling innovation, and solving real-world problems, making a substantial impact on society and the economy.
Who is your mentor and what is the best advice they’ve given you?
My mentor is my father, Ken Driscoll. The best advice he’s ever given me is to ‘Believe in yourself.’
What piece of content about you or your company are you most proud of?
My Inc. 5000 interview.
What publication do you hope to appear in next?
Inc.
Who would you love to be interviewed by?
Gino Wickman
If you had to give a TEDTalk tomorrow, what would the title be?
Destined to Disrupt: A Personal Tale of Entrepreneurial Drive
What award would mean the most to win?
Best Places to Work. Continuing to win on an annual basis signifies that my team is both content and fully engaged, which is always a top priority.
What makes zero sense to you?
People that stay in jobs they don’t love.
What’s a word in your industry you hope gets re-evaluated?
Balance
What game are you changing?
An outsourced accounting company focused on employee well-being and happiness first.
What’s the next thing you’re a part of that you want to invite more people to participate in?
We’re launching the AIOA Foundation, and we’re welcoming clients, vendors, team members, and friends of the firm to get involved in our give-back program.
Where can we follow you online?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heide-olson/
https://www.accountinuity.com/
https://www.veracitypros.com/
What’s one thing that makes every leader better?
Adopting the regimen of a Corporate Athlete – maintaining peak physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
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We’re grateful to each Rising ICON for their transformative work. Thank you, Heide, for sharing your story!
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“ I firmly believe that entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy, driving growth through their innovation, willingness to take risks, and boldness.”
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