Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronit Schwartz.
Hi Ronit, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When we created Aryeh Strategic Partners, it wasn’t a startup story, it was a convergence. Both Eddie and I had built successful careers on very different paths: he in finance and strategy, and me in healthcare and leadership. We were each thriving in our own right, but we kept seeing the same need from two different worlds, businesses were desperate for clarity, accountability, and guidance they could actually trust.
So, we decided to build something together. Not just another accounting firm, but a strategic advisory that brought both structure and heart into the same room. Eddie brought the financial architecture, the systems, strategy, and discipline and I brought the human side: the communication, empathy, and operational care.
Aryeh quickly grew beyond what we imagined. What began as a shared idea has become a multi-state advisory firm serving everyone from family-owned businesses to nonprofits and government contractors. The growth has been almost entirely organic, fueled by referrals and relationships, which to me, is the highest compliment.
But what I love most is how much we’ve evolved along the way. Every stage of Aryeh’s growth has shaped us as leaders. I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about knowing all the answers, it’s about listening deeply, adapting quickly, and leading with both conviction and compassion.
At the heart of it all is our CARE model: Clarity, Accountability, Resilience, and Empathy. It’s more than a framework; it’s how we show up for our clients and for each other. Aryeh has become proof that business can be more than numbers, it can be human.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think any meaningful journey is ever completely smooth. It’s rewarding, yes, but it stretches you in ways you don’t expect.
When I stepped into the world of finance after years in healthcare, I had a lot to prove, mostly to myself. I came from a field where empathy and compassion weren’t just encouraged, they were essential. In the boardroom, though, those same traits can sometimes be misunderstood. I had moments where I wondered if I belonged, if there was space for someone who led differently, who cared deeply and wasn’t afraid to show it.
And I’ll be honest, that imposter syndrome was real. I was suddenly surrounded by people who spoke the language of numbers, forecasts, and strategy, while I was thinking about people, process, and purpose. It took time to find my footing and realize that both perspectives could coexist, and actually make each other stronger.
When Eddie and I started working together, it took some adjustment too. He came from decades in finance, where decisions are data-driven and performance-focused. I came from a world where leadership meant calm under pressure and connection under chaos. We had to learn how to merge those two worlds, how to build a business that honored both structure and soul.
At first, even the word “CARE” felt out of place. It’s literally a four-letter word, and sometimes it’s treated that way in the boardroom. Eddie used to tease me about bringing a “nurse’s heart” into a world of spreadsheets and strategy. But over time, we both saw what happened when you lead differently. Clients responded. Teams thrived. Trust grew.
That’s when CARE (Clarity, Accountability, Resilience, and Empathy) stopped being just my philosophy and became our firm’s framework. It’s how we make decisions, manage relationships, and show up for our clients.
It wasn’t easy to get here. There were late nights, hard lessons, and plenty of moments of self-doubt. But each challenge forced me to get clearer on who I was as a leader. I stopped trying to fit into a version of leadership that didn’t feel right and started leaning into the kind I was built for.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been honest. And I’ve learned that the bumps in the road don’t derail you, they define you. They teach you what really matters and how to build something that lasts.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Aryeh Strategic Partners?
Aryeh Strategic Partners is, at its core, a financial strategy firm, but I always say what we really do is build confidence through clarity.
We work with businesses and organizations at every stage, from family-owned startups finding their footing to established companies navigating growth, mergers, or compliance challenges. Our services include fractional CFO support, tax strategy and advisory, compliance oversight, and business consulting. But the truth is, our work almost always starts with listening. Before the spreadsheets, before the systems, we want to understand the story behind the numbers. And recognize Short term and long term goals.
What really sets us apart is the way we approach partnership. We don’t just hand clients reports or tell them what to do; we walk beside them. We get to know their challenges, their goals, and the people behind the business. We make complex financial concepts feel understandable and actionable. It’s not about delivering data, it’s about helping them make decisions with confidence.
Our CARE model defines everything we do. It’s not just our internal culture; it’s how we engage with every client, every project, and every decision. It reminds us that the human element is never secondary to the strategy, it’s part of it.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that Aryeh has stayed true to who we are as we’ve grown. We’ve built our reputation almost entirely on word of mouth, and that tells me people don’t just respect our work, they trust us. That’s the kind of brand equity you can’t buy; it’s built slowly, through integrity, results, and relationships.
For anyone learning about Aryeh for the first time, I’d want them to know this: we’re not your typical financial firm. We’re strategic partners who care deeply about the people behind the business and we’re proof that you can lead with both heart and precision.
How do you think about happiness?
Happiness, for me, is simple: it’s my children laughing and a full house. It’s noise and warmth and knowing that the people I love most are close by. I’ve always said I see the world through rose-colored glasses, and honestly, I don’t ever want to take them off.
I find happiness in the small things, the first light of morning, sun rays breaking through the clouds after a storm, that moment when the day still feels full of possibility. It’s those pauses in life that remind me how much good there really is.
And truthfully, I’ve always loved a bit of controlled chaos. Maybe that comes from my years in the ER and ICU, where everything is moving fast, but purposefully. I thrive in that kind of energy. Even now, whether it’s a busy office, a packed calendar, or a house full of laughter, there’s a rhythm in the chaos that makes me feel alive.
At work, joy looks a little different: it’s when something clicks for a client, when we help them turn uncertainty into confidence or see a path they didn’t before. But the kind of happiness that fills me up? It’s home. It’s laughter in the kitchen, coffee on the patio, and the reminder that success doesn’t mean much if you can’t share it with the people who make life beautiful as cliche as that sounds.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.aryehstrategicpartners.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aryeh_strategic_partners/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aryeh-strategic-partners/posts/?feedView=all
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Aryeh-Strategic-Partners-61567186774570/
