Jemimah Walker

14/10/2026

When you meet a business owner, ask them how they got started.

You’ll often hear about something they’re really good at. An opportunity they decided to take. A family they wanted to provide for.

That’s the part of business I love getting to know.

The numbers help us understand how the business is doing. The conversation helps us understand what the owner is working towards—and why it matters to them.

That’s how I want people to feel when they work with Sort It. Comfortable asking questions, clear about their books, and knowing there’s someone they can talk to.

What’s one thing you wish more people understood about running your business?

08/10/2026

Five years ago, 'Sort It Bookeeping' was just me, a laptop and one client. Last Friday, John and I were dressed up and attending the Northland Business Excellence Awards. ❤️

We didn’t take home an award, but six days later, I’m still reflecting on just how much this experience meant to me.

What started in 2021 as a way to balance work and family has grown into something I never imagined.

Along the way, I’ve had to learn how to go from being self-employed to actually building a business. There’s been plenty of lessons, mistakes, challenges and moments of stepping outside my comfort zone!

Today, Sort It has a growing team and an amazing group of clients who trust us with their businesses. Something I’m incredibly proud of.

Entering the awards made me stop and reflect. When you’re busy building a business, you’re often so focused on what’s next that you forget to appreciate how far you’ve come.

The application and interview process challenged me to recognise our achievements, reflect on our growth and identify where we can continue improving.

And I certainly couldn’t have done it alone!

To my husband, thank you for believing in me, supporting my ideas and all your work behind the scenes. We’re finally putting that marketing degree to work! 😂❤️

To my amazing team and wonderful clients, thank you for being such a big part of this journey.

Thank you to the judges for their time and encouragement, and to the NZ Chambers of Commerce Northland for putting on such a fantastic event.

I’m incredibly grateful for the doors that have opened, the people who have been placed in my path and the journey so far.

There’s still so much to learn, build and achieve, but I’m proud of how far we’ve come.

We didn’t win this year, but we’re not finished yet. See you in 2027! 💙

22/09/2026

Went along to the Whangarei Business Womens' Network last night! 💜

I haven’t been at all this year and, if I’m honest, I was extremely nervous about going. WFH life can make you feel a little introverted 😂 I don’t “go to work” every day, I’m not surrounded by people in a professional capacity, and I was coming up with every excuse possible to give it a miss.

But I mustered up the confidence, got myself ready to be seen and turned up.

And I’m so glad I did.

The group did not disappoint. I immediately felt at ease, made some lovely new connections, reconnected with some familiar faces, and had an amazing meal — the food is always beautiful!

We also got to hear from Teale from Your Wing Woman: Social Media Marketing, who shared some really practical knowledge around running social media for your business. I’m sure we only got a tiny taster of what she teaches in her regular classes, but she definitely knows her stuff!

I’d highly recommend the Whangārei Business Women’s Network to any women in business who are looking for a space to connect, share and meet other women doing the same thing. Yes, there are networking opportunities, but they make it feel really easy and natural rather than awkward or forced.

Still working on my elevator pitch though 😆🤦🏽‍♀️

20/09/2026

One of my biggest takeaways from Girls in Business wasn't actually a new business strategy.

It was a reminder that people connect with people.

Earlier this month I went along to the Girls in Business Conference & Awards in Auckland and there were some incredible speakers — but there was one theme that seemed to keep coming through for me throughout the day:

Be yourself. Show up. And don't underestimate the power of genuine connection.

Toni Street spoke about communicating with confidence — not trying to become someone else when you speak, but learning how to communicate as yourself with confidence and clarity.

That one hit home for me.

I've been thinking for a while about putting myself out there a little more with Sort It, particularly through video, and if I'm honest there's definitely a bit of discomfort that comes with that!

Then came the panel on building a brand people actually remember, with Erin Adam, Jenny-May Clarkson and Sarah Robb. Again — branding wasn't just about colours, logos or having the perfect marketing strategy. There was so much around mindset, knowing who you are, connecting with people and showing up consistently.

Jony Lee's story was another favourite for me. Hearing how social media opened doors for her in ways she never originally expected was such a good reminder that sometimes you just have to start creating instead of trying to have everything perfectly figured out first.

Then Caitlin Crisp, Lara Henderson and Lisa Perese-Cullen shared the very different journeys behind the brands they've built — and once again, authenticity was such a strong thread through the conversation.

I came home with plenty of notes, but probably an even bigger nudge to stop hiding behind the business quite so much.

Sort It has grown enormously behind the scenes over the last few years — our clients, our team, our systems and what we're able to offer.

Maybe the next stage is getting a little more comfortable letting people see the person behind it too. 😅

And then there was Dame Valerie Adams…

But she deserves a post all of her own. ❤️

09/09/2026

What a way to start the day! 💙

This lovely review came from the owner of a local drainage company we support.

We know how busy life can get when you’re out there running the jobs, managing your team and keeping customers happy. Our job is to keep the books organised and everything moving behind the scenes — quickly, professionally and without adding more to your plate.

Thank you for trusting Sort It Bookkeeping with your business!

If you’re a busy trade or service-based business owner who could use some support with the books, send me a message. Let’s have a chat and see how we can help get things sorted.

08/09/2026

14/08/2026

A client recently contacted me because he wanted more than an accountant.

He’d heard Luke Kemeys talk on the Keep The Change podcast about the value a good bookkeeper can bring to a business, and how often that role is overlooked.

That really resonated with him.

There’s a difference between having someone who can do the admin and having someone who understands the financial side of what they’re doing.

A good bookkeeper knows when to ask for the invoice for a new vehicle or fixed asset purchase, and understands why it matters.

They understand the reasoning behind the coding, not just which account something should go to.

They understand debits and credits, how to balance an account, how to keep Xero tidy, and how to pull the right reports when you’re trying to make bigger financial decisions.

That’s not to say a great administrator isn’t valuable. They absolutely are.

But my client was looking for something different.

He wanted someone he could rely on for the day to day financial side of his business.

Someone making sure Xero was regularly reconciled and up to date.

Someone making sure that when he logged into his dashboard, he could actually trust what he was seeing. What was owed to him, what he owed, and where things were sitting.

He wanted a better way to manage his bills and receipts.

Help keeping on top of his inbox.

Better systems.

Most importantly, he wanted someone on his team who understood his business, knew what mattered to him, and could pick things up before they became problems.

That, to me, is where a good bookkeeper adds real value.

It’s not just data entry.

It’s knowing the numbers, understanding the why behind them, and being close enough to the day to day business to actually help.

If you’re reading this thinking, “I want that too”, send me a message. 💬

27/07/2026

Last Thursday was one of those days that reminded me why resilience matters in business.

The plan was simple:
✈️ Whangārei → Auckland → Napier for .

With about 10 minutes to spare before leaving for the airport… cancelled.

🌫️ Fog.

My accommodation in Napier was already booked. Registration was that evening. The conference started the next morning.

After a quick discussion we decided, “Right, we’ll drive to Auckland and catch the next available flight.”

Hope restored.

Until…

As we arrived at Auckland Airport, that flight was cancelled too.

At that point I was frustrated, disappointed, and honestly wondering whether we were ever going to make it.

Meanwhile, my husband John went into problem-solving mode. While I was processing everything, he was negotiating with the airline staff, trying every possible option to get us there.

He managed to secure me the last seat on an evening flight while he stayed on standby, hoping to get on the next one.

Then…

That flight was delayed.

And then cancelled.

By this stage we were exhausted, hungry, and running out of optimism.

So we did the only thing left to do.

We grabbed a decent meal, got back in the car, and committed to the 4½-hour drive from Auckland to Napier.

At 10:30 pm, after one very long day, John pulled into Napier.

What a legend.

Not only is he my husband, he’s also an incredible co-owner of Sort It Bookkeeping, and I couldn’t have made that journey without him.

So… was it worth it?

Quite a few people told me to turn around.

“Take it as a sign.”
“Just go home.”
“Catch tomorrow’s flight.”

But tomorrow’s flights weren’t guaranteed either.

I’m so glad we didn’t give up.

The next morning I was sitting in the conference, right on time, ready to learn.

I’ve now attended my fifth conference hosted by the Institute of Certified NZ Bookkeepers. I’ve travelled to Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland, and now Napier.

Every single conference has given me something valuable to take back into my bookkeeping business.

Yes, the technical knowledge is incredible.

But what keeps me coming back are the people.

The wisdom shared by bookkeepers who have been serving clients for 10, 20, even 30 years.

The conversations between sessions.

The friendships that have grown over the years.

And the chance to meet new people doing exactly what I do every day.

Working from home as a bookkeeper can sometimes feel isolating. You can forget that you’re part of a wider profession.

Then conference comes around…

…and suddenly you’re surrounded by people who understand your challenges, celebrate your wins, and genuinely want each other to succeed.

That’s something special.

Sometimes the biggest lessons start before the conference even begins.

20/07/2026

If your business needs better bookkeeping, it might be time to Sort It.