Where it all started
This first blog wasn’t supposed to be a story. At first, we were following the playbook: emotional hook, marketing concepts, frameworks, outlines. The whole setup you’d expect from a consulting company relaunch. But as I read the draft, something felt off. It didn’t sound like me. And more importantly, it didn’t feel like us.
I don’t need to begin this relaunch by asking people about their problems because they already know what they are. That’s not what this is about.
This is a simple message. It’s me saying, “Hi.” It’s a reintroduction to our old friends, colleagues, and our network, as well as anyone who might be curious about who we are, what we do, and why we exist. That’s it.
So, if we’re going to talk about who we are, I think it makes sense to start at the beginning.
This wasn’t the plan
In September 2009, I founded Palermo Business Solutions, LLC, in North Carolina. We operated under the name Gaskets Rock Carolinas, a startup servicing commercial kitchens, grocery stores, and convenience stores with commercial refrigeration parts and hardware.
I wasn’t interested in the gasket industry. I didn’t have any experience or plans to get involved. My background was in automotive collision, and I was planning to open a body shop.
But I wrote a business plan that convinced me there was potential here, more than people realized. The name “Palermo Business Solutions” came from me, obviously, but it also reflected something I believed I could provide even if I didn’t know how or in what way just yet.
At 35, I had already spent most of my life involved in entrepreneurial pursuits in one form or another. From around age 10 or 12, I was always building, thinking, and starting new things. So, even though I didn’t realize it at the time, the name was somewhat prophetic.
The momentum builds
A few years in, the company was growing fast. We expanded into new markets, opened offices in other states, and eventually received an Entrepreneur of the Year award from the UNCW Small Business Technology Development Center.
As word got out, people started asking about how we were doing it. What made us different? What contributed to the growth?
As I shared, more people started listening. I was already coaching and mentoring on a personal level, but this marked the beginning of sharing those insights with other small business owners and managers by simply sharing what was working for us.
Finding the thread
Much of what I did at that stage focused on bookkeeping and accounting. I became certified as an Intuit QuickBooks ProAdvisor. I immersed myself in learning the tools and building a solid foundation so I could provide practical, helpful advice. Most of it involved the essentials, setting up QuickBooks correctly, organizing files, structuring the chart of accounts, and creating reports.
That kind of work might not seem glamorous, but it was genuine. It made a difference. And over time, that advising began to take on a life of its own.
Next up: More than the numbers
That was the foundation, but the story continues to evolve. What began as a gasket company transformed into something completely different. In the next blog, I’ll share how that shift occurred, where it led me, and why purpose rather than just process started guiding my journey.
1 Comment
MJ
This was such a refreshing read. I really appreciate the honesty in stepping away from the “playbook” to just say, “Hi.” That alone says a lot about the values behind Palermo Business Solutions. Your story is a great reminder that not every path is linear—and that sometimes the best opportunities come from simply being open to something new. Looking forward to the next part and learning more about how purpose began to shape the journey. Thanks for sharing where it all started!