At OpenBook Finance we love translating financialese into financial ease. 

Because we believe in the life-enhancing power of small business ownership, we aim to increase the number of successful small businesses in the United States by providing powerful financial knowledge, tools, and insights at an appropriate and affordable scale.

About Leslie Grygiel, our founder and leader

Leslie seamlessly weaves together her experience as a banker, trainer, coach, and entrepreneur to guide small business owners along their journey to profitability and growth. Her biggest thrill is seeing someone’s eyes light up when they finally understand how to leverage those “boring” and “indecipherable” financial statements to successfully turn a profit and grow their dream. 

Click the plus signs to get more details about her expertise in each area.

  • Leslie has started and successfully operated three businesses, giving her first-hand experience with the benefits and challenges of business ownership, bookkeeping, and cash flow. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management.

  • From her time working as a commercial banker at SunTrust, Leslie speaks “banker” language and understands what they are looking for when business owners seek a loan or line of credit.

  • Leslie brings a coaching approach to our small business clients. As an International Coaching Federation Professional Certified Coach, she has experience helping clients in clarifying their values, goals, and desires for their business and how that business supports their desired lifestyle.

  • Leslie has considerable experience with what it takes to successfully develop people and lead them to a common goal. She draws on her experience as Chief Learning Officer for Capital One’s commercial banking division and the training from her Master’s degree in Instructional Design.

  • When Leslie’s not helping business owners understand their financials, you’ll catch her creating something from nothing. She may be sewing, quilting, drawing, painting, redecorating, gardening, cooking or baking. The consistent purpose is to create something that evokes beauty, joy, love, peace, or freedom.