Today we’d like to introduce you to Kalie Mais.
Hi Kalie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been involved in managing small, rural businesses since my early twenties, so I’ve always understood what it really takes to run a business on your own day to day. A few years ago, I reached a point where I wanted to build something of my own and make an impact in my small community. With the help and support of my husband, I opened a market in our tiny town.
I put everything I had into that place for nearly three years. It wasn’t just a business to me, it was something that brought people together, and that meant so much. But in a town of around 100 people, even with support from the surrounding area, it became really hard to sustain long term. We made the difficult decision to close the market in May of last year and move into a different season of life.
After that, I leaned back into my background in accounting and financial work. Last fall, I started taking on a few rural businesses and farming operations as bookkeeping clients to help support our household and also help others manage the financial side of their business. It grew into more than I expected pretty quickly.
Over the years, I have created spreadsheet tools for my own use, both personally and in business, and I realized those could help other people too. That led me to start offering financial templates through my website.
At the same time, I’ve always had a creative side. I’ve been taking landscape photos for years. Living out here in the country and paying attention to what’s around me has given me the opportunity to capture some really beautiful views. Opening up my photography alongside my financial tools and bookkeeping services felt like a natural fit. My website has really become a place where both sides of me, the creative and the analytical, can exist together.
Through all of this, my goal is to help small businesses, farmers, and independent contractors feel more confident in their financial future, while also sharing the kind of natural beauty that not everyone gets to see every day. Those quiet moments out here mean a lot to me, and being able to share them with others does too.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The small business road is rarely a smooth one. There have definitely been challenges along the way, especially when it comes to balancing everything that life requires while running a business.
My husband works full time in Kansas City, which is a long commute for us, and we have two kids at very different stages of life. Our oldest is 19 and starting her own path, and our youngest is 9, who I homeschool while also running my business. On top of that, we have a hobby farm with animals and gardens that need daily attention.
There have been seasons where it felt like a lot to carry, especially when I was running the market. Trying to give everything you have to a business while also being present at home can be overwhelming at times. Learning how to step back, shift direction, outsource when needed, and rebuild in a way that better supports both my family and my work has been one of the biggest challenges.
That said, it has been incredibly rewarding. I enjoy the process of building something meaningful, learning as I go, and creating a life that works for our family. Most days, it really is fun, even when it’s full.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My business is centered around helping small rural businesses, farmers, and contractors stay on top of the financial side of their work. A lot of people are really good at their specialized work, but the bookkeeping side can get overwhelming or pushed off. This is where I come in.
I offer bookkeeping services where I work directly with clients, but I’ve also created financial templates for people who want to manage things themselves. Those tools come from my own experience, so they’re practical and built to be used in real life, both personally and for business.
What sets me apart is that I’m not just looking at numbers on a screen. I understand the day-to-day operations that go into running a small business, especially in a rural environment, because I’ve lived it. Alongside that, I also offer landscape photography. It might seem separate, but for me it all connects. It comes from the same life, from the same environment, just expressed in a different way.
The thing I’m most proud of is that I’ve built something that reflects both sides of who I am. It’s practical and grounded, but also creative. I have a mind that thrives on both analysis and creativity, and I didn’t feel like I had to choose one over the other. At the end of the day, I just want what I offer to be helpful, honest, and real, whether that’s helping someone get their finances organized or giving them something beautiful and meaningful to hang in their home.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I don’t really read books or listen to podcasts very often. Every once in a while I might listen to something on a specific topic I’m interested in, like health and nutrition or something I want to learn more about, but it’s not something I rely on regularly.
I’ve found that I do my best when I’m not constantly influenced by things outside of my control. I try to stay focused on what’s right in front of me. I value being present, whether that’s in my business, spending time with my family, or just being outside in nature and paying attention to the beauty all around me. That’s where I feel the most grounded.
That doesn’t mean I’m not learning or growing. I’m always learning through experience and through the work that I do. For me, that’s what has the most impact. What helps me do my best, both in business and in life, is staying present and fully immersed in what I’m doing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.maisholdings.com
