About Clearbooks
Clearbooks
Story
I’m Marisa De la Cruz, founder of Clearbook Co.
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My passion for small businesses started on the ground floor not in a boardroom.
I began my career inside local companies, taking on the kind of roles where you wear every hat: operations, HR, scheduling, payroll, customer support and all the things that don’t fit neatly into a job description. I learned quickly that running a business isn’t just about selling a product. It’s about building systems that empower people to do their best work.
As I moved across different industries financial services, environmental consulting, research and development, automotive, hospitality the pattern was always the same:
No matter the size, the revenue, or the industry…
most businesses were building the plane while flying it.
They were passionate and hardworking, but they didn’t have:
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templates
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processes
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financial visibility
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or someone helping connect the dots
And once we built even simple systems things would click into place.
Employees felt more supported and confident.
Owners started making decisions with clarity.
The business became stronger, smarter, and more resilient.
I’ve seen firsthand how structure unlocks growth:
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I implemented structured, predictable processes that improved retention and team morale, enabling the team to grow from 2 to 6 employees while increasing revenue and strengthening client relationships.
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I analyzed KPIs and financial data for an unprofitable company and helped turn it profitable in under a year.
These wins weren’t about spreadsheets.
They were about what spreadsheets make possible
Why it Matters to Me
I believe in the power of community economies.
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Inspired by work like The Death and Life of Great American Cities, I’m driven by the idea that cities thrive when local businesses thrive when streets are full of independent shops, when storefronts aren’t empty, when people can build livelihoods rooted in creativity, service, and connection.
I want to help create a world where:
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more businesses grow roots in their neighborhood
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fewer are forced to close due to lack of clarity
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local owners feel confident not overwhelmed by operations and finance
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communities can choose people over big box stores
Clearbooks Co. exists because I’ve seen what happens when small businesses get the tools and insight they deserve:
They don’t just survive.
They start to thrive for themselves and for their city.
My goal is simple: to help small businesses build clarity, confidence, and structure so they can grow sustainably, support their teams well, and remain rooted in the communities they serve.