Episode 10 – Michelle Kvello: Perseverance, adaptability and a clear vision

Michelle Kvello, the founder of Lantern Partners, a virtual CFO firm, has built a successful business by providing analytical and commercial support to startups and scale-ups. With a vision to empower fast-growing businesses and contribute to Australia's entrepreneurial economy, Michelle has been recognised as one of the top 50 women in accounting and small business leaders  

Over the past 12 years, Michelle has overcome challenges and built sustainable success for herself and her clients. One key aspect of her achievement is the longevity of her business, as many startups and small businesses struggle to survive. Michelle takes pride in having crafted a career that not only serves her but also supports a broader community, particularly ambitious and driven women who found corporate life unsuitable 

A key lesson that Michelle learnt at the start of building Lantern Partners is the need to articulate and communicate the vision and values the business so that every team member understands why the company exists and the value they aim to create for clients.  

In this episode we discuss her unique approach to hiring individuals who align with the company's vision and values and how her focus on “why” Lantern Partners exists has built a strong and cohesive team. 

Michelle also shares her experiences and challenges in managing day-to-day operations while transitioning into a leadership role and how she tries to identify the best use of her time so that she can effectively delegating and creating scalable processes. 

Our conversation touches on the significance of maintaining balance and resilience in the face of ongoing demands. We discuss the importance of self-care and finding activities that recharge and energises oneself and team members.