Carrie Van Meter

I give credit first to God for where I am today, and second to my staff, because I am nothing without them. My purpose is to touch as many lives as I can, so much so that I fill a church when I die. When the people and businesses around me succeed, I consider that a true representation of my own success. Hundreds of businesses operating with positive cash flow today exist because we were there, serving as their watchdog.

The most powerful lessons in my life came from two people who believed in me before I believed in myself. My mother, Pam Van Meter, taught me that every person has a story worth hearing, and that compassion and genuine human connection can transform relationships with people from every walk of life. Her warmth and generosity left a lasting impression on everyone she met, and after she passed away in 2013, I continued to hear from people whose lives she had touched.

The other was Marlo Berg, founder of the robotics company where I began my career. Marlo saw my potential beyond traditional expectations, judging me by my talent and determination rather than my gender or background. He pushed me into rooms I wasn't yet comfortable in, including executive meetings and boardrooms where I was often the only woman present, and trusted me with responsibilities that built my confidence as a leader. Between the two of them, I learned that kindness and courage together are what truly shape a leader.

It's not about popularity, it's about purpose. My advice is to stay focused on the "why" behind your work rather than trying to compete on price or fit into someone else's formula. I'm not the cheapest option out there, but I strive to be the best. I listen first, and I don't force people into a box — I build the box around them. When I do that, their success becomes my mission, and that's a far stronger foundation than simply trying to keep up with everyone else in a crowded market.

One of the recurring challenges I've seen throughout my career is the disconnect between finance, operations, and employees — each group working hard but without a shared understanding of how their decisions affect the bigger picture. I've always viewed that gap as an opportunity rather than a barrier, a chance to build stronger communication and help people see how their everyday choices influence profitability.

I've also worked to shift the mindset that employees are simply an expense to cut during hard times. I believe they are an investment, and I've made it my mission to show leaders that retaining and empowering people leads to stronger outcomes. On a personal level, stepping into finance and boardroom spaces where women were historically underrepresented was its own challenge, one that taught me to lead with preparation and authenticity even before I felt fully ready. Looking ahead, I see continued opportunity in expanding All Access, growing my team, and helping more entrepreneurs gain the financial confidence they need to thrive.

Faith, service, and connection to people are at the center of everything I do. I'm deeply proud of my heritage — my mother was of Cherokee and Sioux descent, and my father was German — and that background inspires much of my creative work, including drawing portraits of Native American women whose strength and history move me.

I also find balance and renewal at my family's ranch in Howard, Colorado, where I step away from the demands of leadership to reconnect with nature. My love for animals runs deep as well; I serve as treasurer for Loss for Paws and regularly foster dogs in need of a safe home. And because I believe financial knowledge should be accessible to everyone, I volunteer my time teaching financial literacy to students and community members. Ultimately, I measure success not by growth or recognition alone, but by the positive difference I'm able to make in the lives of people, animals, and my community.