Our Story
Brightside began as a dream of Carrie’s back in 2014. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 2007, CPA designation in 2011, and having worked in several roles and levels of small business accounting and public accounting— Carrie felt a strong tug to work more directly with people, rather than feeling stuck behind the scenes. She knew there was a human side to finances that wasn’t easily quantifiable by numbers and data alone. She desired to do work that felt purposeful, helping, and impactful. She also wanted to build a career that allowed for flexibility to prioritize her family. After her first son was born in 2015, she decided to take the leap and turn the dream into a reality.
Our Passion
We neutralize the power of money over people by putting people in charge of their money. We operate under a people-first philosophy and tailor services to uniquely fit each individual. We believe that healthy, loving, and meaningful relationships are vital for a fulfilling life. All we do is done with the highest level of integrity and trust to best care for the person. We strive to promote the concept of contentment as a state of being that fosters peace in relationships and toward material resources.
Meet the Team
We are busy moms doing ordinary things as extraordinarily as possible.
Carrie Poling CDMM, Certified Budget Coach, and Money Care Enthusiast
I have a strong formal financial education (I was a practicing CPA… Certified Public Accountant…for years), but despite financial literacy and intellectual knowledge, I still know the feeling of money being tight. Loads of debt in our early years of marriage, a few costly financial mistakes made along the way, and job dissatisfaction which caused my husband and me to leave stable careers to join startups and create entrepreneurial ventures (coincidentally and stunningly giving our two weeks’ notice in the same week!), are just a few reasons we’ve not always been considered financially ‘stable’. However, I believe purpose doesn’t always follow a linear financial trajectory and I’m so glad we’ve traveled this path to be where we are now.
We learned to be thankful for and responsible for the blessings and wealth that we have. We depended on managing our cash by budgeting and living within its boundaries. Although it took us some time, we persevered and paid off approximately $95,000 of student, medical, and auto debt (not our mortgage) in just over 10 years, despite some temporary losses of income along the way, moving, and having another child. Along the way, we learned there’s joy to be found even during times of uncertainty and the sometimes-difficult growing phases. Through it all, love has prevailed as we’ve worked to support and encourage one another and our faith and trust in the Lord has deepened as we do our best to let Him guide our steps. We’ve always been provided for!
Now it’s my joy to come alongside others on their journey. To help others find contentment in all circumstances and to steward their blessings. To help ease the weight of the nagging financial burden in the background many busy families and individuals are experiencing. It’s my goal to simplify and clarify the actions needed to manage, sustain and preserve financial details to provide ease and peace of mind.
I started Brightside Financial Care, LLC in August of 2015 a little over a year after my first son was born. After working full time (and often overtime!) over seven years in various professional accounting roles in both the public and private sectors, I felt the tug to create a business that supported me better as a mom and made a positive impact on those it served. Since striking out as an entrepreneur, I’ve had the honor of assisting dozens of clients in making their lives easier by providing daily money management services for individuals and families as well as small business bookkeeping services. I live in Fishers, Indiana with my husband, our two sons and our furry feline friend. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, serving alongside the youth at our church, all things outdoors (including novice gardening, hiking and exploring), reading, writing for pleasure, and the occasional antiquing and thrifting, oh – and coffee always!
Amy DeTienne Lead Bookeeper, Daily Money Manager and Money Care Enthusiast
I have been in the accounting field for over twenty years, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Montana State University-Billings. Over the years, I have worked in a wide variety of roles in the accounting field, specializing in Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable.
I joined Brightside as the Lead Bookkeeper in August of 2020 where I have been able to utilize my seasoned accounting background to help support and provide daily money management services for our many wonderful clients. I am truly blessed to be part of this company where I can help serve others daily and provide peace of mind when it comes to the stress and worry of finances. It has been such a pleasure getting to know and work with our wonderful clients!
I am originally from the “Big Sky State” — Montana, and currently reside in Fishers, Indiana with my husband, our four children, and our two dogs and cat. Even though life gets a little crazy with two sets of twins — I thoroughly enjoy spending time with my family and friends, serving in various roles within my local church, volunteering in the community, baking, gardening, reading, and traveling.