As we wrap up 2025, we’ve been reflecting on what made this year at MBS so meaningful. When we asked our team to share their accomplishments and highlights from the year, a few themes kept coming up: connection, intentionality, and growth. Those themes line up closely with the values that guide our team every day.
This year wasn’t just about checking boxes or hitting milestones. It was about showing up for each other, continuing to learn, and keeping our workplace people-focused. We saw growth everywhere—individually, as a team, and in our clients. Above all, we aimed to be reliable for each other and our clients, and practiced leadership as we took on challenges together.
Connection That Brought Us Together
In a remote workplace, connection doesn’t happen by accident. This year, putting extra focus on morale, connection, and fun made a real difference. Monthly themes and team challenges like walking challenges, Summer Bingo, “Step-tember,” water tracking, and heart-healthy initiatives brought laughs, energy, and lots of photo-sharing on Slack. These small things added up. They reminded us that a people-focused approach makes work more enjoyable and that it’s possible to make progress while still having fun!
Monthly coffee breaks on Zoom, in-person quarterly meetings (with an ugly Christmas sweater contest and an escape room), and team-building activities gave us consistent ways to stay connected, celebrate wins, and support one another.
A highlight of the year for everyone was having opportunities to be together in person. Getting the full team together in Minneapolis in May was a memorable experience. We spent one day focused on MBS and attended the annual TeamWomen conference the next. Those two days were packed with learning, brainstorming, and team building that strengthened our relationships and renewed our sense of purpose. The time together gave us space to grow both individually and collectively, learning alongside one another. It also reinforced something we value deeply at MBS: investing in people is always worth it.
Learning with Intention
We strive to keep a close eye on changes that affect our clients every day. Throughout the year, we stayed on top of payroll and HR updates at both the federal and state levels and helped clients understand what applied to them. Our goal is always to break things down in a clear, practical way so clients feel confident moving forward. This is a reflection of our commitment to being a reliable partner that our clients can count on.
As a team, we read Dare to Lead together over several months, which allowed us to slow down, reflect, and apply what we were learning. It sparked thoughtful conversations, encouraged vulnerability, and helped us continue developing skills around leadership and having crucial conversations – a work in progress for all of us.
In October, members of our team attended Intuit Connect in Las Vegas, coming away inspired with new ideas and tools to better support our clients.
A Year of Growth for Our Team and Clients
MBS grew in many ways throughout 2025. Watching our team members step into new responsibilities, build confidence, and develop their skills was one of the most rewarding parts of the year. Katrina started full-time in January, helping with our accounting clients. Jessica joined our team in the fall, and her new role expands our People Operations capacity.
We welcomed several new clients aboard and loved seeing our existing clients experience growth and progress in their businesses. We’re grateful for clients who are engaged, responsive, and committed to building strong businesses alongside us. Experiences like these remind us why we do what we do.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on 2025, we’re incredibly grateful for the chance to grow, learn, laugh, and work alongside people who genuinely care about one another and the work we do. This year was a powerful reminder that when you live out your values, great things happen.
We’re excited to carry the momentum forward into 2026!