2023 40 Under 40
Breakaway Bookkeeping + Advising announced today that CEO and Founding Advisor Shea Keats was named to Portland Business Journal's prestigious 2023 40 Under 40 List. She joins Michelle Löpez, COO and Founding Advisor, who received the recognition last year.
Keats was promoted to the role of CEO in February 2022. In this role, Keats has focused on recruiting new franchisees, continuing to support and grow Breakaway’s innovative advisor franchise program, and building the Breakaway brand name in the accounting world and beyond. Since its founding, Breakaway expanded from one franchise to 30 franchises, many with teams, serving 150 SMB clients (and growing!), primarily in the greater Portland area. Under Keats’ guidance as CEO, the company is on track for the third year of double-digit growth.
Keats is a champion within the industry for eradicating the notion that work must happen on a traditional time table and in traditional ways. She has spearheaded the concept of “assisted entrepreneurship.” As more professionals make the choice to start their own independent businesses, the need for community and support becomes imperative. Keats has made it her mission to empower those looking to take the self-employment leap with this concept, that provides most of the safety of a firm, but with the flexibility of true entrepreneurship.
While based in Portland, the firm’s advisors serve clients worldwide. Breakaway franchisees have the huge advantage of working for themselves, not by themselves. Each franchisee/advisor runs their own business, focusing on the niche and clients that interest them.
Keats was instrumental in getting a global partnership up-and-running with Cadencia, a nearshore company in Portland’s sister city of Guadalajara, Mexico. Cadencia was founded on the premise that the offshore outsourced staffing industry could and should be done better. Its business model brings people together in a community to serve US-based clients while providing exciting careers for its Mexico-based team.
Keats brings more than fifteen years of business strategy experience to the Portland area. She helps individuals grow their businesses, side hustles, passion projects, or careers and is an advocate for work flexibility so anyone can balance a successful career with an enriched homelife. Her commitment to breaking down barriers by enabling hybrid work is crucial in today’s work environment.
Keats will be recognized by the Portland Business Journal, along with her 40 Under 40 cohort, at a special event on July 13. Each year the Portland Business Journal receives nearly 300 nominations for its 40 Under 40 program. Each application is thoroughly reviewed and 40 of the region's most influential professionals are selected to represent the Portland region. Keats was selected among other a peer cohort of game-changers, move-makers and forces of the future.