Member Highlight: Aquaila Barnes
Meet Aquaila Barnes, Founder and Owner of Barnes Financial Concierge! She leads her firm with a passion for guiding creatives and small businesses through tax, accounting, and financial planning. Alongside her financial expertise, Aquaila is a creative who enjoys writing poetry and stage plays.
Read more to learn all about Aquaila!
Full Name:
Aquaila S. Barnes
Nickname:
Qua (pronounced “Quay”)
What do you do professionally?
I am the founder and owner of Barnes Financial Concierge, a financial services firm that guides creatives and small businesses owners with tax, accounting and financial planning solutions.
What do you want to do (professionally and/or personally)?
Professionally I want to do exactly what I am doing now in a more expansive way by going further in our commitment to help people see and understand the story their numbers tell. Personally, I look forward to living a more integrated life where my creative work (poetry, stage plays, etc) is expressed in balance with my financial work.
Do you have any passion projects or ideas you want to explore with the Creative + Community?
I have many! I will share my top 2 passion projects at the moment. 1.) I want to see my stage play, The Cost, revisited and produced on stages across the world. 2.) I also would like to design a program that helps creatives understand that they, and their creativity, are an asset; in a way that helps them feel safe and empowered with their finances.
Who inspires you? Why?
I am inspired by those who follow their passion, especially the multi-hyphenates who fully share their unique and diverse gifts. Stacey Abrams is one of those people for me. She inspires me because she is whip smart yet communicates in a way that is accessible to all audiences. She is known for her influential work in politics. But the day I found out she was more than a politician – having worked as a tax attorney and written nearly 2 dozen books (8 of them romance novels), I was like whoa! That is what living a fully expressed, integrated life looks like. And that is how I want to show up in the world.
Hobbies / Interests / Things that bring you joy:
I experience the greatest joy when I allow poetry or dialogue to flow through me. It is like a spiritual conversation with God. I love traveling, being in and around the water, experiencing different cultures, having deep conversations, and studying storytelling techniques.
Greatest accomplishments:
One of my greatest accomplishments is sustaining a 20-year partnership with my wife. I often say ‘I love who I am in a relationship with.’ I am grateful for how we chose to get married, and I love the person I have had to become to maintain and deepen our relationship.
Future accomplishments:
I look forward to lots more creative writing and further expanding my business to represent our special way of providing financial services.
What excites you about being a Creative + Club Member?
The Creative + community gives me the opportunity to connect with like minds and those who are adding so much light to the world.
Best piece of advice you have ever been given:
“You have reached a point in your life and career, where you do not have to pay for the right to be here or ask for what you are worth.”Those words were shared by my coach several years ago. It was a pivotal moment in shifting away from an unconscious belief that I had to prove my value to others.
Who is someone you want to collaborate with? Why?
Queen Bey. I kinda surprised myself with this answer. But I think I want to collaborate with Beyonce because I appreciate her work ethic, the thoughtfulness that goes into how she releases projects, and the way she handles business. She seems to create in a way that sees the larger vision while simultaneously paying attention to the minute details. What would that collaboration look like? I have no idea. But I know it would be creatively genius!
Favorite quote:
“I have a way of keeping myself in alignment on the way to expansion” - Esther Hicks. When things feel challenging and my goals seem far away, this quote reminds me to keep my eye on the prize and find joy in each moment as I make my way towards the things I desire.
What does your best life look like?
More spaciousness to write and travel. Creating even more memorable loving moments with my wife. Time with family and friends. Managing a business that helps our clients feel safe and valued. Leaving a legacy of stories that offer insight and joy.
Last words for the Creative + Community and beyond?
I am grateful for so much --the gifts, the struggles and the person I am becoming! Thank you for this community and space to share.
Aquaila’s Website / Socials
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