meet the Busy Bee team

Co-Owner, Bookkeeping Department Lead, Accountant

As founder of Busy Bee Advisors, Melissa brings a smile to every part of her work. Never one to miss the chance to laugh, she knows that a little humor can go a long way in educating and encouraging clients through complex, even frustrating, bookkeeping situations.

Her background in corporate accounting and auditing complements her desire to serve as a financial translator, of sorts, to sole proprietors and small business owners so that they feel confident in their financial decisions.

Melissa is a member of Business Network International, Rotary, FU Nights, Women in Consulting, and previously served as finance chair on the Sacramento Children’s Receiving Home Board of Directors.

She and her husband Eric enjoy working together and live in Sacramento with their youngest son and dog. She is also a proud mom of a US Marine.

Co-Owner, Tax Department Lead, Tax Advisor

Eric is anything BUT your typical tax professional.

A true extrovert, Eric enjoys connecting with his clients to genuinely understand them and their unique tax and financial situation. His goal for his clients is to pay their fair share in taxes and nothing more.

He uses this insight to find ways to best apply the tax code and design a customized tax strategy to save as much as is legally allowable under the current tax code.

Born in Northern California, Eric is an avid gamer at heart and a natural problem solver. He enjoys spending time with his family and working alongside his wife and business partner, Melissa. He is also a proud papa of their oldest son, a US Marine.

Bookkeeper

Armed with an Associate of Science in Accounting and 20 years of public service with Yolo County finance department, there’s nothing she can’t and won’t figure out for her clients.

When she is away from her calculator and keyboard you’ll most likely find Barrie in her garden or with her three pets.

Bookkeeper

Shelly understands the inner workings of private business as a bookkeeper and a business owner herself. At 23, she started her own plastic fabrication business while working part-time for a CPA who taught her how to manually keep accurate records, manage payroll, and implement QuickBooks.

She used those skills to bolster the success of the national solar business she and her husband owned for several years. Now, as a member of the Busy Bee team, she enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with other business owners.

Bookkeeper

Kim is the southern belle of our team. Originally from Asheville, North Carolina, Kim earned her Bachelor’s degree in business management from North Carolina State University.

Now living the “island life” on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina with her cat, Shadow, Kim enjoys bringing clients up-to-speed with technological advances to make business ownership easier and more convenient.

Kim is proud to provide endless ideas on using technology to streamline efficiency and become more organized.

Office Manager

With an impressive eye for detail and more than a decade of customer service experience Jules is the perfect front office fit for our firm.

After more than 20 years in Inside Sales Jules found herself looking for a change (LUCKY US!!!)

Whether its meeting her in person or talking to her on the phone she always seems on the verge of laughter and has a constant smile in her voice.

Originally from Southern California she is a self declared “sun-worshipper who loves spending time with my family at the beach… ANY beach! “ Jules also splits her time volunteering in our community through church ministries.

Bookkeeper

A Sacramento native currently residing in West Sacramento Missy brings a the perfect mix of Retail & Law Firm accounting experience to the Busy Bee Advisors team.

With a BA in Accounting and Finance and over 15 years of experience, Missy also has in-depth experience working with CDTFA helping clients understand, file & stay in compliance with Sales Tax issues.

Prior to joining the team at Busy Bee Missy worked with a local family owned business, assisting with the implementation of their accounting system in Quick books.

“I really enjoy working with numbers and making sure they balance at the end. I also love helping customers and making sure that they are satisfied and all questions are answered.”

Bookkeeper

Lisa is a true California native having lived across our beautiful state. Born in Southern California, Lisa moved to the Central Valley at the age of four. She grew up in Atwater, CA and moved to Oakdale, CA in 2011.

Lisa earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting at CSU Stanislaus. With an interest in Business Operations and Management and an avid learning Lisa is currently studying to take her Certified Management Accountant exam, with a target completion date of Fall 2024.

Lisa started her bookkeeping career at a trucking company out of Stockton with a focus on A/P. She gained additional career experience working seasonally for a CPA, then worked as a full charge bookkeeper at a property management company. She eventually transition to another full charge bookkeeper at a manufacturing company.

“I like accounting because it allows me to make the most of my curiosity and use my problem-solving skills.”

She is proud to be the mother of 3 (ages 18, 17 & 9). “I do not have many hobbies, unless you count sitting in grandstands watching my children participate in various sports as a hobby. As a family we go to rodeos and I like to get outside as often as we can.”

Bookkeeper

A Chicago native, Deborah and her family moved to California in the early 90’s .The Busy Bee team has had the pleasure of working with Deborah on a part time basis since 2017.

Deborah brings decades of high level accounting experience to the Busy Bee team.

Deborah’s early career was spent in the banking industry working alongside several boards as a lobbyist with a Midwestern bankers association. After her move to California Deborah worked with several local companies as a Full Charge Bookkeeper and Staff Accountant. She eventually transitioned into the non profit sector and has spent the last decade as the Fiscal Director of a local not for profit, overseeing the day to day financial activities along with extensive experience in grant submission, compliance and review.

Office Manager (Seasonal)

Joanne has been with us since the beginning. In its early days, Busy Bee experienced exponential growth – thanks to client referrals! – and required an office manager who could keep spirits up and happy vibes flowing.

After getting the job offer of her dreams teaching disadvantaged high school students, we almost lost her. But after clients begged for Joanne’s return, we got her back (part-time during the school year and full-time over the summer).

Born in Heidelberg, Germany, Joanne makes it a priority to enjoy her work. And although her work is serious, she goes out of her way to not take herself too seriously. She brings a sense of humor and a ton of energy (maybe that’s why she’s a great teacher and coach?) to her position and keeps the whole operation running smoothly.

She has a big heart, especially for disadvantaged kids and all dogs.