Her Story
About Mindy
Mindy Kampa is a bookkeeper and accountant based in Duluth, Minnesota, who currently serves as Business Operations Coordinator at The Yard Lumber & Supply in Hermantown. Her academic foundation was built at Lake Superior College, where she completed a bookkeeping degree in 2013 and went on to earn an associate degree in accounting and an associate of arts in liberal arts and sciences. She also previously held QuickBooks Pro certification.
Kampa began her career providing bookkeeping and special project support for an optical company, then took time away from the workforce to raise her family. She returned in 2024 to deliver third-party bookkeeping and office management services, including payroll processing, for six companies. In July 2026, she joined her current employer, where she manages the full scope of bookkeeping, prepares sales orders, and tracks deliveries and merchandise. She also organizes store displays. As the sole accounts payable and accounts receivable professional in a small office, she carefully separates vendor and customer matters in her communication with the team. Following a recent ownership change, she has helped establish organized processes and enjoys the team-oriented culture.
Kampa credits much of her growth to former supervisors Sarah and Nicole, who mentored her and gave her opportunities to build her bookkeeping skills during a challenging period in her life. A single mother of two boys, she brings resilience and determination to her work and encourages young women entering the field to work hard and rise above adversity. She is committed to sharing her story of perseverance, both personal and educational.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Mindy
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my professional background as a bookkeeper and accountant. I graduated in 2013 and have worked in the field for approximately thirteen years, with time away as a stay-at-home mom before returning to the workforce in 2024. I am passionate about my current role, which began in July 2026 after my previous company closed. My responsibilities are diverse, including bookkeeping, sales orders, and managing deliveries and merchandise. I even organize displays on my day off. I also value the collaborative, team-oriented environment at my workplace.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I was fortunate to have excellent mentors in my former bosses, Sarah and Nicole. They gave me support and opportunities, particularly as I was coming out of an abusive relationship. They also helped me learn bookkeeping skills during the two years I worked at their company.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
You can work hard and overcome any issues that may arise. As a working single mom of two boys, I am passionate about working hard and rising above whatever challenges come my way.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge I am currently facing is overcoming a difficult divorce.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I value being able to share my story as a hardworking single mom who overcame a divorce and left an abusive home. I pushed forward through my educational journey, earning degrees in bookkeeping and general accounting, as well as a general AA degree, from Lake Superior College. I also value clear communication in my work. As both the accounts payable and accounts receivable person in a small office with no other accounting staff, I must distinguish between vendor and customer matters when communicating with my team.
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