Tableau for small business: "Tableau makes the business I run and the life I lead possible.”


Susan Baier is the “Head Honcho” at Audience Audit, a two-person market research company with big ideas. She’s equally proud of her other job title: Mom. In this video, Susan shares a view of “ROI” that goes way beyond the traditional calculation. According to Susan, the speed and flexibility she has gained with Tableau allows her to be the business owner—and the parent —that she wants to be.

In the old days before Tableau, I would’ve had to make a choice between my family and my clients. To not have to choose between my work, my clients, and my family is huge. I cherish Tableau for that. It sounds silly. I know it does. I get emotional about it. I credit Tableau with making it possible.

Susan Baier, Founder & Owner, Audience Audit: I don’t want to be extreme, but Tableau literally makes the business I run and the life I lead possible.

I have a daughter who’s 13 and we were talking about a hairstyle that she wanted to do for a dance and she said, “Mom, sometimes it’s hard that the other girls have mommies that do hair.” She goes, “On the other hand, none of the other mommies run their own corporations.” And I laughed because my kids have a model for a life that is fulfilled.

I’ve been so lucky to be at this point in my life and be doing exactly what I want to do, exactly the way I want to do it, and I want that for other people.

Susan: I’m really passionate about the little guy. A lot of my clients are small businesses and for them, that’s their mortgage, that’s their kid’s education—it’s really, really important.

Tableau gave me the ability to serve the people I’m trying to serve. I love making my clients happy and it’s really hard sometimes without flexibility. In the old days before Tableau, I would’ve had to make a choice between my family and my clients. To not have to choose between my work, my clients, and my family is huge. I cherish Tableau for that. It sounds silly. I know it does. I get emotional about it. I credit Tableau with making it possible.