Exploring Life & Business with Lily Chhuon of BirdWise Bookkeeping

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lily Chhuon.

Lily, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I got to where I am today through a mix of bookkeeping, project management, operations, and a genuine love for helping businesses stay organized and run well. I first started my roots in bookkeeping supporting my Dad’s IT company many many years ago. I was doing hands on bookkeeping work and then started branching out to support different types of businesses like property management and mobile app companies, which gave me a strong foundation in the financial side of things and showed me how much business owners rely on clear, accurate numbers.

As my career grew, I also spent several years in project management and operations, mostly in fast paced business environments. That experience gave me a wider view of what it really takes to keep a business moving. I was not just seeing the numbers, I was collaborating with the people, creating the processes, understanding the pressure points, and helping streamline all the moving pieces behind the scenes.

Over time, I realized I wanted to create something of my own that brought those two worlds together. That is what led me to start BirdWise Bookkeeping. I wanted to build a business that is not only detail oriented and dependable, but also approachable and supportive. For me, bookkeeping is not just about reports. It is about helping business owners feel more confident, more organized, and more in control of what they are building.

Today, I work with small businesses across Long Beach, the South Bay, and Greater LA, and I really love being able to bring both structure and heart to the work. BirdWise Bookkeeping is a reflection of how I like to show up for clients: observant, organized, reliable, and genuinely invested in helping them succeed.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road. Like a lot of people building something of their own, I have had to figure things out in real time, wear a lot of hats, and keep going even when things felt uncertain.

One of the biggest challenges has been building a business while also drawing from a background that spans bookkeeping, operations, and project management. That experience has been a strength, but it also meant I had to take time to clearly define my niche, my message, and how I wanted BirdWise Bookkeeping to stand out. Starting something from the ground up takes a lot of patience, especially when you care deeply about doing it well.

Another challenge has been balancing big vision with practical reality. There is the exciting side of building a business, but there is also the very real side of earning trust, creating systems, finding clients, and staying consistent even before everything feels fully established. That part takes resilience.

At the same time, those challenges have shaped me in the best way. They have made me more resourceful, more thoughtful, and even more committed to building a business that is dependable, personal, and truly helpful to the people I serve.

As you know, we’re big fans of BirdWise Bookkeeping. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
BirdWise Bookkeeping is a bookkeeping business based in Long Beach, serving small businesses across Long Beach, the South Bay, and Greater LA. At the heart of it, I help business owners keep their books organized, accurate, and up to date so they can better understand their numbers and make decisions with more confidence.

I specialize in bookkeeping support that brings both structure and clarity. That can look like ongoing monthly bookkeeping, account reconciliations, cleanup work, financial reporting, and helping business owners create better systems around their day to day finances. My background in both bookkeeping and operations has shaped the way I work, because I do not just look at the numbers in isolation. I also think about process, consistency, and how to make things feel easier and more manageable for the client.

What sets BirdWise Bookkeeping apart is the combination of detail and care. I know bookkeeping is personal for a lot of business owners because their business is personal. It is not just about transactions or reports. It is about helping someone feel less overwhelmed, more supported, and more in control of what they are building. I want clients to feel like they have someone dependable in their corner.

Brand wise, I am most proud that BirdWise Bookkeeping feels like a true reflection of how I want to show up in business. The brand is grounded in being observant, organized, and reliable, but also approachable and thoughtful. I am a bird mom of 3 myself and like birds, I care about the health and success of the full flock.

What I would want readers to know is that BirdWise Bookkeeping is built for small business owners who want clean books, clear communication, and a reliable partner behind the scenes. My goal is to make bookkeeping feel less intimidating and more empowering, so clients can spend less time stressing over their finances and more time focusing on their business.

I’m attaching my Capabilities Deck here which gives a high level of who I am, services, and industries I serve: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IWt1KNM9Ie41h9aYY_ZUI89kuY8oaPcS/view

Also here is my website, the footer has all the links to my social media accounts – happy to connect! https://www.birdwisebookkeeping.com/

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a mix of caring, driven, and pretty active. I loved having pets and have always had a soft spot for animals. I also really enjoyed playing sports, especially team sports, and I think that helped shape a lot of my personality. I liked being part of something bigger than myself, working toward a goal, and building friendships along the way.

I was also the kind of person who liked to stay busy and be dependable. I think even at a young age, I had a strong sense of responsibility and enjoyed helping where I could. Looking back now, a lot of those same traits still show up in who I am today, both personally and professionally.

Pricing:

• Full-Service Bookkeeping – Starting at $199/month
• Catch-Up Bookkeeping – Project based pricing
• QuickBooks Online Setup & Training – Starting at $400
• Bookkeeping Training Only, various platforms – Project based pricing
• All pricing services: https://www.birdwisebookkeeping.com/pricing

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.birdwisebookkeeping.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birdwisebookkeeping
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birdwisebookkeeping/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/birdwise-bookkeeping
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/birdwise-bookkeeping-long-beach
• Other: https://www.trustpilot.com/review/birdwisebookkeeping.com