JENNIFER BARNES

Jennifer is the CEO of Optima Office, Inc, which provides fractional CFO, Controller, Bookkeeping and HR services to business between the start-up phase to larger scale organizations. Optima’s services are hourly, part-time and as needed. The 65 people on Optima’s team are W2 employees who fill the role at their respective clients for their Accounting or HR functions by filling the gaps or becoming the entire solution.

Optima’s vision is to have the highest retention in the industry. The company is notorious for their slogan of happy staff=happy clients.

A bit of background, Jennifer was a Controller or Director of Accounting for numerous companies and non-profits throughout San Diego between 2004-2012 prior to starting her first company, which she grew in just 6 years to 88 employees and over $6 million in revenue. Jennifer graduated with a Finance and Marketing degree from the University of Arizona, earned an MBA from San Diego State University and completed the Becker CPA coursework and testing.

Jennifer won the top 40 under 40 business leaders in San Diego (SD) County and in 2017 she was named the Young Entrepreneur of the year by the San Diego Chamber of Commerce. In that same year she was an EY semi-finalist for Entrepreneur of the year and earned the title of being the Most Influential Female Leader by the Connected Women of Influence organization. Her first company, Pro Back Office was the 5th fastest growing company in San Diego in 2016 and made the Inc 5000 in 2017 and 2018. She grew the firm in just six years to 88 employees and $6.5 million in revenue. Optima in year 2 has plans of reaching over $5 million in revenue and in 2021 (year 3), has revenue expectations of $7 million. Jennifer has a proven track record and looks forward to making Optima her most successful venture yet.

Jennifer has sat on many boards in her career and currently sits on the board of Presidio Property Trust, The Better Business Bureau and Junior Achievement. She Volunteers time at SDSU by participating in the mentor program and as a judge in various student competitions. She is currently a member of Rotary 33, Vistage International, ACG, Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), Young Executives Council and Social Venture Partners.

Jennifer is tenacious, authentic and kind. Work life balance is crucial, so she is adamant about her team having a flexible, caring, and supportive place to work. Providing opportunities to her amazing employees and helping small businesses grow is what keeps her motivated. Jennifer is married, has 7 nieces and nephews, loves spending time with friends and family and enjoys being outside, especially jogging on the beach or speeding down the mountain on a snowboard.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-barnes-mba-7699504/