Building with Clarity and Community:
Janette Gallardo’s Story
Janette Gallardo did not grow up expecting to become an entrepreneur.
“I come from a family of hardworking employees,” she said. “Entrepreneurship was never part of the conversation growing up, so I never imagined I would one day own a business.”
For more than 20 years, Janette built a career in corporate finance, specializing in financial planning and analysis and advising executive leadership teams on financial performance and strategic decisions.
Today, she brings that experience as Fractional CFO and Strategy Specialist at Vitta Solutions, a boutique executive advisory firm she founded to help established businesses improve profitability, strengthen cash flow, and align finance, operations, and strategy.
Her growth as an entrepreneur has also been closely tied to her involvement with WBEC Metro NY and Greater DMV.
Janette first came to WBEC NY DMV looking for community. Since becoming WBENC-Certified, she has expanded her network, learned about new contract opportunities, built relationships with other women business owners, and stepped into a leadership role as a WBEC NY DMV FORUM leader.
During our inaugural Week of WBEC (WOW), in May, Janette hosted a FORUM meet up for WBEC Greater DMV-area entrepreneurs and engaged deeply on social media with us and peer business leaders. This dedicated online engagement resulted in her winning a feature in our monthly newsletter to the network, The Loop.
From Corporate Finance to Entrepreneurship
Throughout her corporate career, Janette was drawn to complex projects.
“I was always curious, eager to learn, and looking beyond the numbers to understand how businesses truly operate,” she said.
One of the highlights of her career was working at the headquarters of ABN AMRO Bank in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The experience gave her a global perspective on finance, strategy, and leadership that continues to shape her work today.
Still, for several years, she felt something was missing.
“I enjoyed finance, but I wanted my work to have a more direct impact,” she said.
Her final corporate role became the catalyst for change.
“Working for a toxic leader made me realize I no longer wanted someone else deciding how I would spend the rest of my career,” she said.
At the same time, Janette saw that many small and midsized business owners were making important decisions without access to the financial leadership available to larger organizations.
“I knew I could bridge that gap by bringing the strategic finance experience I had developed over two decades into the entrepreneurial world,” she said.
That realization led her to launch Vitta Solutions.
Building the Business with Intention
Vitta Solutions began with fractional CFO services and has since expanded into fractional COO services and strategic advisory.
“Our clients needed more than financial reports,” Janette said. “They needed help turning strategy into execution.”
From the beginning, she focused on building the firm with discipline.
“I have always run my business like the company I wanted it to become,” she said. “From day one, I invested in a strong financial foundation, systems, processes, and operations so we could grow intentionally.”
That approach now shapes the way she advises clients.
Janette helps business owners understand how profitability, cash flow, operations, and leadership decisions work together. She also draws on her own experience as a founder.
“Entrepreneurship has taught me as much about myself as it has about business,” she said. “Every challenge has made me a better leader.”
One question continues to guide her:
“Will this get me closer to where I want to go?”
“If the answer is no, I let it go,” she said. “Clarity has become one of the greatest competitive advantages in both business and life.”
Finding Her Community at WBEC NY DMV
As Janette built Vitta Solutions, she began looking for peers who understood the realities of business ownership.
“I initially found WBEC NY DMV because I was looking for something many entrepreneurs quietly crave: community,” she said.
“Entrepreneurship can be isolating, and I wanted to surround myself with women who understood both the opportunities and the challenges of building a business.”
WBENC Certification aligned with her long-term goals for Vitta Solutions. She wanted to connect with organizations that value small business partnerships while building meaningful relationships with other women business owners.
As her involvement grew, so did her understanding of the network’s value.
“The greatest value extends far beyond the Certification itself,” she said. “It’s the relationships, the conversations, and the opportunity to learn from accomplished women entrepreneurs.”
She has also learned about contract opportunities she might not have found otherwise.
“Some of the most meaningful opportunities have come from conversations, introductions, and relationships that started within the WBEC NY DMV community,” she said.
“For me, Certification has been as much about community as it has been about business development.”
Her Advice to Other Women Business Owners
Janette’s advice begins with purpose: “Get very clear on why you are building your business,” she said. “Your purpose will carry you through the difficult seasons when motivation alone is not enough.”
She also encourages women not to build alone. “Find mentors, peers, and a community that will challenge and encourage you,” she said.
For those considering WBENC Certification, she recommends looking beyond the credential itself. “While access to opportunities is valuable, the greatest benefit for me has been becoming part of a community of women who understand the entrepreneurial experience,” she said.
What Comes Next
Vitta Solutions continues to evolve with the needs of its clients.
“These new offerings reflect what we consistently see our clients need: not just financial insight, but better alignment between finance, operations, and leadership,” Janette said.
She plans to continue expanding the firm’s impact by helping established businesses make stronger decisions with confidence.
She also intends to deepen her involvement with WBEC NY DMV.
“Serving as a FORUM Leader has been incredibly rewarding,” she said. “I look forward to strengthening relationships within the community and continuing to support other women entrepreneurs.”
Janette’s relationship with WBEC NY DMV began with a search for community. It has since become an important part of how she grows her business, develops as a leader, and contributes to the success of other women business owners.
Interested in becoming a FORUM leader, more deeply engaging with the WBEC NY DMV network, or better leveraging your Certification? Reach out, here.