Welcome to The 6 a.m. CFO, where finance chiefs share how they jump-start their days and engage with the tasks that are in front of them.
Today, Generation West Virginia’s Candice Holcomb shares how she enjoys an active lifestyle, her desire for early morning meetings, her thoughts on why encouraging growth is important and more.
Be sure to check out the entire 6 a.m. CFO series, and if you’d like to be featured in a future post, please email us here.
Generation West Virginia
- A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on equipping young West Virginians with key skills and career opportunities, ensuring their ability to thrive and build a career within the Mountain State.
- Founded: 2007
- Size: 16 full-time staff, 13 board members
- Revenue: $1.3 million (2022)
MORNING ROUTINE
Weekday wake-up time: I aspire to be up at 5 a.m., but the snooze button is too tempting and I’m usually up by 6 a.m.
Morning beverage choice: Store-bought iced coffee with dark chocolate syrup and some frothed milk.
Non-work-related morning activities: I love to get on the treadmill first thing in the morning. It shakes the drowsiness off and makes me feel accomplished before my day even starts.
Workday start time: 8:30 a.m. My organization officially starts at 9 a.m., but I usually need a little extra time in the day. The to-do list is often larger than the hours I have in the day.
How I usually spend the first hour of my day: I have a lot of reviews to do when I start each day. I review the calendar for the day, get on email and Slack and then do my daily rounds with our various financial systems.
Time I send out my first email: Between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m. I’m usually active in Slack before I’m active in email.
Best advice for writing an effective email: Keep it as short and informative as possible. The most valuable thing in my life is time, so I try to stick to that rule when I craft a communication to extend the same courtesy to my recipients when possible.
First dashboard I review: Our A/P and A/R system is something I review every day to get an idea of cash flow for the short term.
How I structure my morning meetings: My capacity for deep thought declines throughout the day, so I prefer to dedicate my morning meeting space to topics that require the most brain power.
Mid-morning snack of choice: Fruit. I love a little fruit snack plate to get me to lunch.
What was a recent morning that didn’t go as planned, and how did you adjust? I had a big thunderstorm roll through recently, and my power was out. Luckily, I had cell service, so I let my team know what was going on, shifted a few meetings around and took the opportunity to relax on the porch until the power came back on.
INSPIRATION, PERSONALITY AND LEADERSHIP
Favorite quote or mantra: Strategy begins with finance. In my opinion, finance needs a seat at the strategic planning table to provide an important lens through which planning discussions are held.
Favorite leadership lesson: Encourage growth. My team’s success fills my cup. When I see light bulbs go off and new ideas connect, I know I have done a good job as a leader.
Something important to know about me that you wouldn’t know from my business bio: I had a total hip replacement nearly five years ago that has afforded me the active lifestyle of which I have dreamed.
Since that procedure, my favorite activity is hiking in the national park in my backyard. It’s the New River Gorge National Park. I may be biased, but it’s one of the most beautiful places in the country and I enjoy going out in nature and seeing the magnificent landscape in all seasons.
Favorite number/why: 16 — because a lot of great things that led me to the path I’m on now happened in 2016.
Favorite app on my phone that is not related to business: Either Audible or podcasts. Those are both awesome ways to take in information/entertainment while driving, folding laundry or hiking.
Most noteworthy items in my workspace: My desk! It’s a large, U-shaped desk that one of my parents gave me. I have plenty of room and am able to stay focused on my work.
Do you have a pet, and are they with you right now? I have two cats, Ewok and Judeau. Ewok is ten years old, so he’s usually in bed sleeping (his favorite pastime). Judeau, however, is deeply involved in my work and is often seen on my Zoom screen.
Most influential/famous person you’ve ever met: At a recent conference, I got the chance to meet Jeanette Walls, author of “The Glass Castle.”
Most inspirational person/people in your life: My mom! She recently completed a PhD program in psychology. She teaches me the lesson that learning and personal growth are life-long endeavors. She also has given me the best advice throughout my life…even if it was something I didn’t necessarily want to hear but needed to hear.