Influential Woman · Accounting and Bookkeeping
Sharon Baker
Full Time Student, TCS Technical Solutions Providers
Washington, DC
Her Story
About Sharon
Sharon Baker is the founder and owner of TCS Technical Solutions Providers in Washington, DC. She specializes in providing accounting, bookkeeping, and back office support to small business owners, helping them understand their financial picture to reach goals such as winning contracts and increasing revenue. Baker began her career working in her ex-husband's carpentry business, where she learned accounting from a CPA, and later gained IT experience at the National Women's Law Center, where she volunteered in fundraising and received a Nobel certification for IT after demonstrating strong skills. She earned sufficient credits for an associate degree in IT from Strayer University but did not complete the program. Baker has been involved with the Anacostia Economic Development Corporation and maintains membership with Intuit through ongoing training. She attributes her success to her upbringing in a family of entrepreneurs, which instilled a strong work ethic, and notes that her tendency to over-analyze situations helps her identify the steps needed to achieve objectives. Baker advises aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly young women, to reach out to agencies for workshops and support, and to train others to delegate tasks effectively in what can be a demanding 24-7 cycle. Her values center on honesty, clear communication, and understanding the balance of input and output in her work and personal life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sharon
01What do you attribute your success to?
My upbringing in a family of entrepreneurs has driven me to always work hard and do a good job. Sometimes I overthink things, but over-analyzing has helped me understand the in-between steps needed to reach goals. It excites me and inspires me as I feel like I'm doing really good works.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never stop working, even if you retire, because what am I gonna stop working for to die? It's key to do something that you totally enjoy. I get great satisfaction out of seeing business owners go from one level to the next, reach their goals, win contracts, increase revenue.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It's not easy, it's a 24-7 cycle. Reach out to agencies you're interested in doing business with to find support like workshops, evaluations, or groups of people trying to do the same things. Train someone to do the work the way you need it done so you don't have to do their work and your own. It's a lot of hours but finding value in delegation is important.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The hiring department wants so much that sometimes you have to wear too many hats without completing tasks. I want to operate where I can get a career providing specific individual services with clear costs between time and delivery, rather than being tied up working for one small business owner filling a void.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty and being able to communicate to a level where we both can understand our own roles. Also important is understanding how I put in what I'm taking out of something and accepting or identifying with it.
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