Shawna Nielsen, Owner
About
I know that running a small business involves much more than delivering great work. Behind every job, project, or client is a steady stream of invoicing, bookkeeping, paperwork, scheduling, follow-up, and decisions. Those responsibilities can quickly compete with the work that brings in revenue.
I created The Second Desk to help small business owners bring order, consistency, and confidence to the business behind their business.
My background includes extensive experience in administration, management, financial oversight, organizational planning, governance, and process improvement across the education, public and not-for-profit sectors. I hold a Master of Business Administration and have spent my career helping people make sense of complex information, strengthen their systems, and turn priorities into practical action.
I also understand the realities of small business firsthand. For many years, I managed the bookkeeping and administrative side of a local residential construction company, establishing the systems needed to support the business as it grew and later training and overseeing its office staff. That experience taught me that business owners do not always need another employee or a complicated solution. Sometimes, they simply need a capable and trusted person at a second desk, someone who can see what needs attention, get it organized and help keep it moving.
Whether I am looking after ongoing bookkeeping and administrative work, improving an existing process, or helping a client figure out where to begin, my approach is practical, collaborative, and tailored to the way each organization actually works.
My goal is simple: to give my clients greater clarity, stronger systems and more time to focus on the work they do best.
How I Work
Good support begins with understanding how your business actually operate, not imposing a one-size-fits-all system.
We will start by talking about what is working, what is taking too much of your time, and where things may be falling behind. From there, we will identify the support that would make the greatest difference and agree on clear priorities.
Depending on your needs, I can take responsibility for specific ongoing tasks, help improve an existing process, or create practical systems that make the work easier to manage.
Support can evolve as your business changes, without adding unnecessary complexity.
Mission
To help small business owners become more organized, informed, and confident by providing practical, dependable support for the business behind their business.
Vision
A community where small business owners have the systems, support, and clarity they need to build strong, sustainable businesses.
Values
Practicality. Partnership. Clarity. Integrity. Respect.
Practicality
Partnership
Clarity
Develop realistic solutions that fit each client’s business, capacity, and way of working.
Work alongside clients, respecting their knowledge of their business while providing the structure and support needed to move forward.
Make information, processes, and next steps easier to understand so clients can make informed decisions with confidence.
Integrity
Respect
Act honestly, honour our commitments, protect confidential information, establish clear expectations, and put the client’s legitimate interests at the centre of our work.
Value the skill, experience, time, and individuality of every client and provide support without judgment or unnecessary complexity.