Sitting at her dining room table with a laptop, telephone and a big vision, Leah Wietholter founded Workman Forensics, a company specializing in forensic accounting, fraud investigation, and expert witness testimony.
Wietholter’s passion for forensics began during her internship with the Federal Bureau of Investigation followed by a career in public accounting, serving as Senior Certified Fraud Examiner. With no capital but unquenchable determination and entrepreneurial spirit, she developed the concept for Workman Forensics. Within three months, she moved from her dining room table to an office in midtown Tulsa at 2105 E. 15th Street. During the three-month development phase, she supported herself and her dream by cooking meals for people, helping a photographer, refinishing furniture and selling items on craigslist. When she wasn’t doing those things, she was on the computer conducting research.
The questions Wietholter kept asking herself were, “What if someone called with a case? What would they need?” She knew if she could answer those questions, she had the foundation for business success. “I also set goals. Each week I would set a goal of talking to a certain number of people, sometimes in casual visits and other times I cold-called on law offices,” Wietholter said.
Wietholter also became involved with REI’s Women’s Business Center (WBC), providing her with networking opportunities. “I made terrific business connections and found out people weren’t just interested in their own business but they were quite willing to help each other,” she said.
“We are very proud to have Leah as an active participant in our Women’s Business Center activities,” Dr. Barbara Rackley, WBC Program Manager said. “She is an awesome entrepreneur, an encourager to many and a great mentor to other women business owners.”
Wietholter was recently honored as the 2012 Pinnacle Award Winner by the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women. The award honors Tulsa-area women who are role models in their professions, take risks on behalf of others and perform voluntary community service. Wietholter is also passionate about volunteering her efforts with Junior Achievement, dedicated to educating students about entrepreneurship, financial literacy and through experiential, hands-on programs.
Visit www.workmanforensics.com or call 918.574.6616 for more information.