We recently had the chance to connect with Mysti Marcantonio and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Mysti, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
My children’s character. All of the thankless effort and energy required to continually support the growth of these small(ish) humans is absolutely worth every second. The reward is watching them grow into confident, intelligent, empathetic, hilarious, successful, joyful individuals who make the world a little better and that are loved and appreciates by others.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Mysti Marcantonio, and I’m the founder of Account On Mysti, where I serve as a CFO and accounting advisor for business owners and real estate investors. What makes my work unique is that I bridge two worlds: I’ve been in the trenches as a business owner and as a multifamily real estate investor myself, so I understand firsthand the challenges of balancing growth, compliance, and strategy.
My passion is ensuring bookkeeping and accounting with tax code and GAAP principles as the foundation, not just for business owners and investors, but also as a consultant for bookkeepers who want to elevate their skill set. I believe clean books aren’t just about compliance…they’re the foundation for smarter business decisions and wealth-building strategies.
Through my firm, my team and I provide full-service support – bookkeeping, accounting, tax prep, and strategy – while I focus personally on high-level advisory. For my real estate investor clients, I also serve as an investor relations specialist, helping passive investors understand how to build wealth in multifamily commercial real estate, especially from a tax strategy perspective.
Right now, I’m most excited about expanding our reach in two areas I love — supporting restaurant entrepreneurs through our Books & Bites brand, and equipping REIs to scale smarter. My tagline sums it up best: “Clean Books + Clear Strategy = Smarter Business Decisions & Investing Moves.”
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I began my entrepreneurial journey back in 2015, but it wasn’t until a few years ago, when I married my husband, that I really began to see myself in a new light. He’s not only my best friend and the love of my life, but also my business partner and co-investor. He had this way of seeing the bigger picture of who I was and what I could accomplish, even when I was still wrestling with imposter syndrome.
What’s interesting is that long before him, my peers and colleagues were giving me clues too. Over the years, business owners and investors would tell me how much clarity I brought to their financials and how I made complex strategies feel simple. They were affirming something I hadn’t fully stepped into yet…that my ability to bridge accounting with strategy was rare and valuable.
I think sometimes it takes both the voices of those closest to us and the feedback of the people we serve to reflect back our true strengths. My husband and my clients helped me see what I couldn’t see for myself at the time: that I was meant to lead, advise, and empower others through financial clarity.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most in my life has been the fear of putting myself out there, especially when it comes to marketing and sales. I’m an accountant by nature, which means I thrive behind the scenes with numbers and strategy. But after COVID, the way business marketing shifted meant that visibility was no longer optional. Social media became the main stage, and suddenly, being a business owner also meant being willing to get in front of a camera.
For me, that was terrifying. I hated seeing myself on the screen, and I constantly wondered if anyone even wanted to hear what I had to say. That fear of rejection and the voice of imposter syndrome almost paralyzed me. But at some point, I realized that if I wanted to truly serve the people I care about – business owners, bookkeepers, and real estate investors – I had to get over myself and show up anyway.
So I did. And now, I do it consistently. Every time I record a video or speak publicly, I remind myself that it’s not about me, it’s about the business owner who’s overwhelmed with their books, or the investor who’s missing out on wealth-building strategies because they don’t have clarity. My job is to bring that clarity, and if showing up on camera helps me reach them, then it’s worth pushing through the fear.
Looking back, I can see how facing that fear has not only grown my business, but also made me stronger as a leader. And it’s the same message I share with clients: clean books and clear strategy might feel intimidating, but once you face that fear and lean into the process, the results can completely transform your business decisions…and your future.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I really admire Charlie and Erika Kirk for their character. What stands out to me is not just their influence, but the consistency of their values and the courage they’ve shown in living those values out loud. Character, to me, is about integrity when no one is watching, and the way they balance their convictions with humility and service to others is inspiring.
As a business owner, wife, and co-investor, I connect deeply with leaders who model strong character in both their personal and professional lives. It reminds me that real success isn’t just measured in revenue or recognition…it’s in how you lead, who you impact, and the values you hold firm to when things get difficult.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
The story I hope people tell about me when I’m gone is that I truly loved people, and that everything I built or sacrificed was ultimately for others. I don’t want to be remembered for building a big business or accumulating wealth. I want people to remember that I cared more about their humanity than about getting rich.
For me, true wealth isn’t measured in numbers, it’s in time and health freedom. It’s being present with family, having the confidence to pursue your dreams, and knowing you’re supported along the way. That’s the lens I bring into my work with business owners and investors. Yes, I help with financial strategy, but my heart is always for the person behind the business – their quality of life, their freedom, their peace of mind.
And most importantly, I want people to know the source of my own confidence and hope, which is Jesus. My faith is what grounds me, and if there’s one legacy I leave behind, I want it to be that others felt His love through me, and maybe even came to know Him in the way I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.accountonmysti.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accountonmysti
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aomllc/
- Twitter: https://x.com/mystiw82
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mystisbooks/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/account-on-mysti-jacksonville-4
Image Credits
Chloe Williams, Christian Marcantonio
