What's in a Name?

Why We Named Our Firm "Tier 5 Advisory" (and Why it Matters)

The Origins

When my kids were young, I wanted them to understand the concept of healthy eating so I posted a dietary chart on the refrigerator that organized food into four clear tiers.

• Tier 1included foods like green leafy vegetables; the foods we all know we should eat more of but somehow never seem to get enough of.

• Tier 2 included the solid foundation foods like eggs and chicken; the food that fuels your body and keeps you going strong through long days.

• Tier 3 had heavy protein foods like red meat; They are good foods but not something you build your whole diet around.

• Tier 4 housed the indulgent necessities like butter, oils, the high-fat foods that make everything else taste better but should be used sparingly.

I explained each tier to my kids. We talked about balance. We discussed making good choices most of the time. I thought I had covered everything until one of them asked, "Where's the candy?"

The Candy!

That question stopped me cold. Here I was, trying to create this perfect system for healthy eating, and I had completely forgotten about candy. Not because candy doesn't exist in our house - it absolutely does. But because it didn't fit into my neat, responsible framework.

As a family, we created our "Tier 5" just for candy. Pure indulgence. The sweet stuff that makes you smile even when you know it's not "good for you."  (We still refer to shopping for candy as a "Tier 5 Run" today.)

The Business Connection

When brainstorming business names for our new company, "Tier 5" kept coming back to me.  It represents acknowledging that we all need something to look forward to.  Something that brings pure joy, even if it doesn't check all the "responsible" boxes.

That refrigerator moment became the foundation for everything we do at Tier 5 Advisory.

Think about it. In business, we all know what we "should" do. We should track every expense. We should reconcile our books monthly. We should have detailed financial reports. We should maintain perfect records.

These are our Tier 1 through Tier 4 business practices. Essential. Important. The foundation of a healthy business. But what about the candy?

What about the reason you started your own business in the first place? The freedom to set your own schedule. The joy of being your own boss. The thrill of building something from nothing. The satisfaction of making decisions without asking permission.

That's your Tier 5. That's your candy!

The Real Problem

Most accounting firms focus entirely on Tiers 1-4. They'll help you organize your books. They'll make sure you're compliant. They'll create systems and processes that keep everything running smoothly.

And that's important work. Essential work.

But they forget about Tier 5. They forget that you didn't start a business just to have perfect books. You started a business to have a better life.

What Small Business Owners Really Want

We've worked with hundreds of small business owners over the years. They all share something in common: they're working incredibly hard but they're not getting the candy.

They're so busy managing the day-to-day details that they've forgotten why they became entrepreneurs. They're drowning in receipts and invoices instead of enjoying the freedom they thought business ownership would bring.

They know they need good accounting practices. They understand the importance of financial management. But what they really want is their time back. They want to feel like owners, not employees of their own companies.

The Tier 5 Difference

At Tier 5 Advisory, we handle Tiers 1-4 so you can enjoy Tier 5.

We take care of your bookkeeping, your financial reports, your tax planning, and your compliance requirements. We make sure your financial foundation is solid.

But our real job is protecting your Tier 5. Making sure you get to experience the candy of business ownership.  We take care of you so that you can focus on growing your business and make strategic decisions with confidence.  You can sleep better at night - no stress, no worries.  

That's not just good accounting. That's Tier 5 thinking.

Why This Matters Now

Business ownership is hard enough without losing sight of why you started. The pandemic taught us that life is short. The economy reminds us that every dollar matters. Competition shows us that efficiency is everything.

But none of that changes the fundamental truth: you became an entrepreneur for the candy.

For the freedom to take a Wednesday afternoon off. For the ability to make decisions quickly. For the satisfaction of building something meaningful. For the flexibility to prioritize what matters most to you.

Those aren't luxuries. Those are the core benefits of business ownership. Your Tier 5.

The Simple Truth

Every business needs strong financial management. That's non-negotiable.

But every business owner deserves to enjoy the journey.

At Tier 5 Advisory, we believe both things can be true. We believe you can have excellent financial practices and still get your candy.

We believe accounting should enable your dreams, not consume your time.

We believe business ownership should feel like freedom, not another job.

Making It Real

This isn't just philosophy. It's how we work.

When we take on a new client, we don't just ask about their books. We ask about their goals. What does success look like? What would make this journey feel worth it?

Then we design our services around protecting that vision.

Maybe success means leaving the office by 3 PM to coach your kid's soccer team. Maybe it means taking a month off to travel. Maybe it means having confidence in your numbers so you can make bold growth decisions.

Whatever your Tier 5 looks like, our job is to make sure you get it.

Your Turn

If you're reading this and thinking about your own business, ask yourself: when's the last time you enjoyed your Tier 5?

When's the last time business ownership felt like the freedom you thought it would be?

If it's been a while, you're not alone. Most business owners get so caught up in managing the details that they forget to enjoy the benefits.

But it doesn't have to be that way.

Your business can have solid financial management and give you the life you wanted. You can have your vegetables and your candy too.

That's what we're here for. That's why we chose the name Tier 5 Advisory - because everyone deserves their candy.