We recently had the chance to connect with Kimberley Dietrich and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kimberley, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity comes first, always. Without it, intelligence can be manipulative, and energy can be misdirected. Integrity is the foundation that guides how we use our intelligence and where we put our energy. After that, I’d say energy, because you can have the best ideas in the world, but if you’re not motivated to act on them, they stay in your head. Intelligence helps us make smart choices, solve problems creatively, and learn from mistakes. But at the end of the day, integrity is what allows people to trust you, and in life and business, trust is everything.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Kimberley Dietrich—an accountant, artist, and storyteller who somehow manages to blend spreadsheets with paintbrushes. I own Mind Your Payroll LLC, where my team and I help small businesses with bookkeeping, payroll, and tax solutions so they can focus on what they do best. I, also, run The Art Shop by Kim, where I create colorful, symbolic pieces inspired by my travels, nature, and everyday life.
I balance two worlds—business and art—and each fuels the other. My accounting side keeps my art business thriving, and my artistic side keeps my accounting work creative and fresh. I’m also a children’s book author working on bringing my characters to life in new ways, including the possibility of a movie. My passion is helping others succeed, whether through organizing their finances or inspiring them with a piece of art that tells a story.” 🎨📊✨
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was when my mother told me I could be whoever I wanted to be if I got an education. She grew up in a time when women couldn’t even get a credit card, let alone a mortgage, without a man’s signature. That reality made her push me harder to be independent and self-sufficient.
Even in my own life, I couldn’t get a credit card without a man’s name on it until my late 20s. That made her words mean even more—they weren’t just encouragement; they were a call to action. Her belief in me planted the seed that I could shape my own future, no matter the obstacles.”
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has shown me that I am stronger than others ever gave me credit for. Over the years, I’ve been called fat, ugly, stupid, and a failure, and each of those harsh words fueled my desire to prove them wrong. I worked multiple jobs, often struggling just to make ends meet, but those experiences only made me tougher. Through it all, I learned that true success isn’t measured by money, material possessions, or power. It’s about the relationships you nurture, the love you give, and the lasting memories you create. Every day is an opportunity to defy the expectations of those who doubted me. I am a force they never saw coming, and karma has a way of dealing with those who judged me too harshly.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
Technology will replace accountants. and artists.
The rise of AI, automation, and cloud-based artist and accounting software has led to fears that technology will replace people. While it’s true that technology can handle repetitive tasks, the human touch—understanding the nuances of a client’s situation or art to create, making strategic recommendations, and building relationships—is irreplaceable.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope they would say I was a force of nature, someone who never gave up, no matter what life threw at me. Through challenges, setbacks, and the harsh words of others, I pushed forward with a strength that was inspiring. I was never afraid to work three jobs or do whatever it took to make ends meet. But also knew the value of the people in my life—the ones who stood by me and those I loved—and made sure they knew they mattered.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.theartstorebykim.com/
- Instagram: @kimberleypaintparties
- Linkedin: Mind Your Payroll LLC
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mindyourpayrollllc/
