The story of Second Banana
Numbers are my sweet spot
Hi, I'm Katrien. Working with numbers and keeping things organized has always been my sweet spot.
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I chose to study engineering because I loved how math and physics are so satisfyingly predictable. There are rules to apply and the outcome is always the same, no matter how many times you add up the same numbers.
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That love for structure and logic never left me. Numbers are where I feel at home.
Admin, my second nature
On top of that, I have always loved administration. Call me crazy, I know!
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I have the patience to never give up on endless paperwork, the focus to find efficiency where others see chaos, and the persistence to make things work better.
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My years as a business analyst taught me how to translate complex needs into clear, workable solutions, and how to spot the little details that make a big difference.
Finding a sense of purpose
My professional career brought me through different roles in the financial corporate world, from Business Analyst to Assistant Manager. I loved my jobs, but something was missing.
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I wanted to make a more tangible difference, use my strengths fully, and really help people.
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Over time, I realized what what make me happiest wasn't managing people, it was supporting them. Being the quiet sidekick who kept things running smoothly behind the scenes came naturally to me.
How it all started
My husband had always told me I’d make a great accountant, helping business owners with the financial side of their business, but I never considered a career in accounting because I didn’t enjoy the tax side of things.
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When my family and I moved from Belgium to Canada, I discovered you can be a bookkeeper without having to do taxes (which you can't in Belgium). Everything suddenly clicked. It was the perfect mix of numbers, structure, and service.
Building my expertise
Once the idea took root, I decided to take it seriously. I enrolled in official bookkeeping courses, worked with a mentor, and dove deep into the world of small business finances.
By the time I officially launched Second Banana in 2023, I had combined my corporate background, love for numbers, and natural sense of order into a service designed to help business owners breathe easier.
Why coaches, consultants & health professionals
Finance can be stressful, especially for people who spend their days helping others.
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Through my own health journey, I’ve worked with coaches, naturopaths, osteopaths, and therapists who have quite literally changed my life. Helping professionals like them now feels like a way to give something back.
How I work
I’m not the kind of bookkeeper who just files receipts. I build systems, spot patterns, and flag insights that help my clients make smarter business decisions.
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I thrive in one-on-one partnerships, offering a calm, personal service focused on depth, not scale. My clients know they can count on me to keep things organized, anticipate what’s needed next, and communicate clearly along the way.
Today, Second Banana has grown into a full-cycle bookkeeping and advisory partner, proudly serving coaches, consultants and health professionals between Westport and Ottawa.
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If you’re looking for a partner who goes beyond the numbers and keeps your business running smoothly behind the scenes, let's connect.
Did you know...
The source of the term Second Banana was a 1920s comedy gig in which three comedians tried to share two bananas.
The head clown, or First Banana, needed a sidekick for his jokes to work. The comedian that could best support the head clown in his act was therefore called the Second Banana.
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This originated the expression "being someone's second banana", meaning to support someone so they can shine in their leading role.
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As a bookkeeper, I proudly play the Second Banana, supporting business owners (the First Bananas) so they can shine.
