Testimonials & Clients

“Jen updated my bidding and contract document process to make it more detailed but at the same time easier and more accurate. Since Backline started managing that for my business, I’ve landed almost every job I’ve bid pretty much as soon as the client sees my estimate - it’s clear, easy to understand and looks more professional.

Jen also helped me set up my social media, which gives me a way to showcase my work and has brought in a steady stream of referrals.

I recently had my most profitable month ever. I’m now booked in advance, getting paid on time, hearing great feedback from happy clients, and focusing on the work I love to do with my hands and my tools without having to worry about the work I don’t love to do on the business side. This is such a valuable service for people in the trades.”

“When I discovered the services that Backline Business Consulting offered, they seemed ideal for my circumstances. I was not ready to hire an administrative assistant, but I needed help. I also needed ongoing support with the initiation and completion of discrete multistep tasks. In some cases, these were things outside my skill sets, and in other cases, things that just required time and focused attention I was unable to bring to them.

It also became clear that I needed to replace my bookkeeper, a task I did not really know how to approach, because I could not make sense of the previous bookkeeper’s work. As she worked to help me get a clearer picture of my financial records, it became apparent that I had also found my new bookkeeper in Jen Martensen.

For me, one of the greatest benefits of working with Backline is having someone outside of my business who helps keep me on track in terms of ongoing projects. I’m an idea person, and as such I’m constantly being pulled in new and interesting directions. It’s invaluable for me to have someone to help me vet ideas.

Jen also acts as a navigator, watching from a higher altitude, helping to keep me on the course I’ve set.

When I started working with Backline, I was not expecting to end up with a new bookkeeper and financial advisor. Having an advisor who knows so much more about my business and what I’ve set out to accomplish has proven to be a truly valuable asset.”

“We are a creative firm and are often in need of informed consultation to guide us through the evolving landscape of licensing and copyright terms within contracts.

Over the five years we have been working with Jen, she has become our exclusive go-to first stop for basically every contract-related question we encounter. Jen has never not gone above my expectations. Above and beyond seems to be her minimum level of commitment. Her supreme diligence, timeliness and thoroughness are at a level I’ve never seen before. The fact she is a great person, friendly and accommodating is a sweet bonus.

I measure the value Jen has brought to our company directly by my peace of mind as a business owner. Her work has quite literally allowed me the ability to sleep at night.”

“I engaged with Jen for assistance in navigating the subscription bookkeeping software I use within my small business.

Jen understood at the start that my love language isn’t bookkeeping (!) and provided important fundamental understanding for me before diving in to help with my more specific questions. As a result, I felt confident about my ability to implement the changes we discussed and move forward.

Jen is patient and knowledgeable and has become my go-to for bookkeeping matters.”

“Jen did a back-end business process assessment for us and found broad, simple, elegant solutions for some of our most persistent nuisances.
She gave a professional presentation to our Board of Directors and her recommendations were implemented.

Very straightforward, very helpful, and Jen is a pleasure to be around, so that’s a bonus.”

“Jen helped me structure my pricing, determine whether contractors I hired were considered employees, and create my processes and terms and agreements.

She taught me so much in the time that we worked together! Jen helped me explore different options in my pricing and terms and agreements to find what would best fit my business.

Jen definitely exceeded expectations. I was unaware of how much I didn’t know about business operations, and Jen was a great teacher. She’s also a cool person and fun to talk with!”

“Throughout 2019, Jen provided contract review and updates for internal contractors and external clients.

Helping me get this done was a huge relief, I feel more secure that my contracts are right and tight and it’s not something I want to (or am capable of) doing myself!

I always recommend Backline to my small business owner friends when the request comes up.”