The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast

“ We've adopted pretty bad behaviors since the pandemic of over meeting and not caring about time and not setting our own boundaries, and we have this toxic productivity where we always have to be on. There's a sense of constant urgency that's manufactured, and there's also a lot of learned helplessness where you go in and just like, I'm just burned out and I'm gonna quiet quit. Instead of deciding, ‘Okay, how am I gonna play a role in my own wellbeing?'” -Jennifer Moss Award-winning journalist and workplace happiness expert, Jennifer Moss talks about how small business owners can build more resilient, engaged teams—even during times of stress and uncertainty. In this interview, you'll learn… The 4-part framework that drives workplace happiness Why certain personality types are more prone to burnout Simple, low-cost strategies to boost morale & team cohesion To learn more about Jennifer, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 01:00 - Building workplace happiness 02:00 - Jennifer shares the personal story that sparked her research 03:30 - How personality traits are amplified in crisis 05:30 - The four-part framework for a healthy workplace 07:30 - Why most people don't learn psychological fitness 09:00 - Traits that increase stress risk 11:30 - How personality types need different support to thrive 13:30 - Why self-awareness is critical for leaders 15:30 - How to recognize signs of burnout 18:30 - Managers often mistake stress for underperformance 21:30 - Why empathy & human connection are essential skills 24:30 - Return-to-office mandates often reduce productivity 27:30 - Actionable tips 29:30 - Preview of Part 2 This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Succession Security! What if you couldn't work tomorrow?  Who would step in to manage your clients and keep your income flowing? That's where Succession Security comes in. Think of it as ‘insurance' that pays out in labor.  If an unexpected emergency strikes—whether it's an illness, accident, or even a family crisis—Succession Security ensures your business keeps running. They step in to manage operations, communicate with clients, and protect everything you've built. Learn more and start your business continuity plan today at successionsecurity.com.

“ I could take my time. That's a really big one because so many times, when we're in a crunch, you really wanna hire before you get to that. Because what happens is, when you hire, when you're in a crunch, you may end up settling or you may not pick the best fit.” -Nacondra Moran In part 2 of this great conversation, Nacondra Moran, founder of Exceptional Tax Services shares how she transformed her business by embracing intentional growth, setting boundaries, and investing in community and clarity. In this interview, you'll learn… How to package your bookkeeping services with clarity & confidence The importance of hiring proactively, not reactively Why clarity of vision is essential when growing your firm and team To learn more about Nacondra, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Listen to her podcast here. Time Stamp: 01:00 – Evolving from underpricing to a structured, value-based model 03:30 – Avoiding scope creep with clear packaging & engagement terms 06:30 – Learning from industry peers & mentorship 08:00 – Hiring progression: contractors to full-time team members 10:30 – Hiring tips: clarity, culture fit & job roles 13:00 – Lessons from hiring missteps & finding the right fit 16:30 – Aligning business growth with personal values 19:00 – Starting her podcast & sharing her journey 21:00 – Using podcasting to build trust & attract clients 24:00 – Power of content & visibility in building authority 27:00 – Helping clients navigate money fears with transparency 30:00 – Where to connect with Nacondra & follow her work This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage! Drowning in paperwork? AutoEntry lets you snap, scan, and sync receipts, invoices, and statements—so you can ditch manual entry, reduce errors, and get back to what really matters: growing your practice and delighting your clients. Learn more about AutoEntry or get started for free at Sage.com.

“ I had a lot more of mindset issues than the actual execution because I felt like I could provide good services. I had a certain level of confidence. But it doesn't matter really how much confidence, if you do also lack that critical mindset piece to really help you move forward.” -Nacondra Moran In part 1 of thie great 2-part series, Nacondra Moran, founder of Exceptional Tax Services, shares the mindset shifts, fears, and learning curves she faced after leaving her job at the IRS. From struggling with perfectionism to embracing entrepreneurship, she opens up about the messy middle of building a firm that works on her terms. In this interview, you'll learn: What mindset shifts helped Nacondra transition from employee to entrepreneur Pricing mistakes, hiring lessons & boundaries What it means to design a boutique, high-touch bookkeeping firm To learn more about Nacondra, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Listen to her podcast, The House of CEO, here. You can also subscribe to her substack at this link. Time Stamp 00:01:00 – Introduction to Nacondra & her IRS background 00:05:00 – The mindset challenges of leaving a “safe” job 00:08:00 – Overcoming perfectionism & finally launching 00:11:00 – Freelancing, finding clients & learning on the fly 00:17:00 – Building systems, refining offers & setting boundaries 00:20:00 – Dealing with legacy clients & the “messy middle” 00:22:00 – The value of a waitlist & staying boutique 00:27:00 – Mistakes in pricing, hiring & client management 00:30:00 – Preview of part 2: burnout, alignment & content strategy This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage! Drowning in paperwork?  AutoEntry lets you snap, scan, and sync receipts, invoices, and statements—so you can ditch manual entry, reduce errors, and get back to what really matters: growing your practice and delighting your clients. Learn more about AutoEntry or get started for free at Sage.com.

“As a business owner, you have to pick up everything. So right now, it's not my goal to hire at that capacity, but definitely to hire more of an assistant for myself to make sure that I am getting the support that I need as I'm building this business, rather than bringing someone in to run this business.” -Christina Springstead Christina Springstead, founder of Springstead Solutions, shares her journey about hiring, finding her niche and much more! In this interview, you'll also learn… How cleanups & rescue jobs became her niche & passion How to price cleanups & rescue jobs The power of paid diagnostic reviews for pricing & client fit To learn more about Christina, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 02:55 – Hiring & losing a key operations manager 05:32 – Shifting focus to build the business around personal goals 10:33 – Defining & niching into cleanup & oversight services 14:23 – Nonprofits, trades & in-house training as a niche 20:04 – How Christina prices cleanup vs. rescue jobs 23:04 – Why charge for diagnostic reviews & what's to include 28:10 – Where best leads come from 30:31 – Converting cleanup clients into monthly engagements 36:51 – How systems like Pure Bookkeeping improve cleanup work 38:29 – What A2A gave her: safe space & smarter growth 45:01 – Where to connect with Christina This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage! Drowning in paperwork?  AutoEntry lets you snap, scan, and sync receipts, invoices, and statements—so you can ditch manual entry, reduce errors, and get back to what really matters: growing your practice and delighting your clients. Learn more about AutoEntry or get started for free at Sage.com.

“Think about what you want. Be intentional on why you're growing your business. Are you growing it for a money goal? Are you growing it so you have more time and flexibility? And then create those boundaries around giving yourself what your why is. Build a business that feels like your own fairy tale.” -Cindy Schroeder Cindy Schroeder, owner of Bright Bookkeeping and founder of Bookkeeping Buds, shares how she went from job-hopping in unfulfilling roles to building a remote bookkeeping business for painting contractors, creating a supportive community for women bookkeepers, and designing a life she loves. In this interview, you'll learn… Simple networking tactics to grow your bookkeeping business The benefits of niching into one industry Why designing your business around joy can lead to lasting success To learn more about Cindy, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 00:29 - Cindy's background and why she left corporate accounting 03:58 - Overcoming introversion through small networking goals 08:30 - Designing a remote business 13:15 - How niching into painting contractors changed everything 16:49 - Partnering with a coach to streamline client growth 19:07 - Building a team and creating repeatable systems 19:20 - Founding Bookkeeping Buds to support women bookkeepers 22:49 - Advice for new bookkeepers: Start with your “Why” This episode is brought to you by our amazing friends at Hub Analytics! Imagine having all your financial data in one place, with real-time analytics and customized reports at your fingertips. Hub Analytics is a financial platform that streamlines bookkeeping operations, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality results for your clients. With Hub's easy-to-use tools, you'll save time, reduce errors, and gain deeper insights into your clients' financials! Ready to take your bookkeeping to the next level? Book a demo to learn more and start your FREE trial TODAY!

“Speaking requires feedback. We have to listen to ourselves. We have to listen to each other and give feedback in order to get better. Speaking is social.” -Ruth Milligan Ruth Milligan, founder of Articulation and curator of TEDxColumbus, dives into how better communication leads to better business — especially for bookkeepers and business owners who want to be more clear, confident, and effective. In this episode, you'll learn… The hidden cost of unclear communication How to fix filler words, jargon & “shaded habits” How to explain complex topics without dumbing them down To learn more about Ruth, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 02:14 – Helping people own their voice & ideas 02:53 – From speechwriter to TEDx coach to business owner 05:47 – What's a “threshold concept” in speaking? 07:30 – Speaking is social: your audience decides the meaning 09:30 – Why technical experts lose audiences 14:35 – Bookkeepers: Your audience isn't in your field 15:15 – The pain (and power) of watching yourself speak 17:43 – The power of feedback & self-awareness 20:30 – Emails that confuse vs. emails that get results 23:00 – Declarative vs. procedural knowledge 25:00 – Training clients: Why reschedules are your problem 34:18 – Using AI for voice notes & speech prep 37:28 – The risks of AI hallucinations with real content 41:23 – A direct takeaway for introverts: Watch your “shaded habits” 43:07 – What you don't know can hurt your influence 45:48 – Breath: the simple fix for filler word 55:29 – Valuing yourself & your time This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Hub Analytics! Imagine having all your financial data in one place, with real-time analytics and customized reports at your fingertips. Hub Analytics is a financial platform that streamlines bookkeeping operations, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality results for your clients. With Hub's easy-to-use tools, you'll save time, reduce errors, and gain deeper insights into your clients' financials! Ready to take your bookkeeping to the next level? Book a demo to learn more and start your FREE trial TODAY!

“Practice is what gives the consistent and reliable delivery of whatever you're mastering. So for me, I remind myself that I'm not faking, I'm becoming, I'm working on it until I become it.” -Michelle Quiñonez Michelle Quiñonez, CEO and partner at Financial Stories Inc, shares how childhood play led to a lifelong love for administration and business building. She opens up about her journey from stay-at-home mom to entrepreneur, and how her passion for structure and growth fueled the launch of a full-service accounting firm alongside her CPA co-founder. In this episode, you'll learn… Why keeping your word to yourself matters The impact of joining a CEO peer group Simple time-blocking that actually works To learn more about Michelle, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 00:53 - Michelle's early influences: childhood office play & college mentorship 02:11 - MBA shift & why she chose the accounting field 04:04 - Founding her first solo business as a stay-at-home mom 05:01 - Pain points with external tax firms & why she co-founded Financial Stories 06:50 - Merging systems, hiring, remote tech stack & onboarding 08:19 - Surprises: how hard it is to find good people & differences in accounting roles 09:51 - Personal transformation, CEO roundtable, imposter syndrome reframed 12:00 - Time management 14:18 - Why business growth is about daily consistency & reps 16:35 - How Lisa Campbell & A2A influenced Michelle's mindset & systems 19:45 - Setting clear intentions to stay present with her family 22:39 - Keeping your word—to yourself & how that shifted everything 25:47 - Visualizing success, parenting parallels & trusting your own word 31:33 - Her experience with Profit First & how it supports delegation 34:48 - Where to connect with Michelle This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Hub Analytics! Imagine having all your financial data in one place, with real-time analytics and customized reports at your fingertips. Hub Analytics is a financial platform that streamlines bookkeeping operations, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality results for your clients. With Hub's easy-to-use tools, you'll save time, reduce errors, and gain deeper insights into your clients' financials! Ready to take your bookkeeping to the next level? Book a demo to learn more and start your FREE trial TODAY!

“Just start small. Just start doing it. It'll take a while, most likely to kind of build. So start even before you feel like a hundred percent ready. Just start. It's a lot of it the first year or so, it's just like kind of practice too.” -Morgan Law Morgan Law, founder of Fine Points Bookkeeping and a popular YouTuber, shares how she transitioned from corporate life and copy editing to part-time bookkeeping, and eventually into full-time content creation. Morgan's story is packed with actionable advice for anyone starting or growing a bookkeeping business. During this interview, you'll learn... How to build a thriving YouTube channel Why confidence, clarity & community are key for new bookkeepers How free certifications like the QuickBooks ProAdvisor program can jumpstart your journey Click here to learn more about Morgan. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Check out her YouTube channel at this link. Time Stamp 00:27 - Morgan's Journey to Bookkeeping 01:49 - Early Hurdles in Starting a Business 02:37 - Starting on YouTube 03:54 - First Breakthrough Video 04:44 - Challenges with Growth 05:45 - YouTube vs Bookkeeping Today 06:36 - Common Struggles for Bookkeepers 08:32 - Content That Resonates 10:04 - Should Bookkeepers Start a Channel? 11:29 - Getting Started on YouTube 12:53 - Growth Timeline & Milestones 14:02 - Bookkeeping Today vs 10 Years Ago 18:53 - Favorite Tools & AI Experiments 20:14 - Resources for Listeners 22:02 - Value of Facebook groups & online communities This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext! Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place.  Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who've already made the switch. If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you! Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!

“By offering corporate services, compliance services, payroll and sales tax registration services to their clients, they're actually not only enhancing their trusted advisory services, but they're also scaling their revenues, increasing their revenues. More importantly, they are keeping that client with them long term because they're becoming a one-stop shop.” -Nellie Akalp Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet.com, shares how bookkeepers and accounting professionals can elevate their advisory role, boost retention, and increase revenue—all by helping clients with business formations, payroll tax registration, BOI filings, and more. In this episode, you'll learn: Why compliance services are a natural extension of bookkeeping Flexible ways to earn (referral, reseller, or hybrid) What bookkeepers get wrong about forming LLCs and S-corps To learn more about Nellie, click here.  Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 2:36 – Nellie's Background 05:43 – Why Compliance Services Matter 09:02 – Practical Compliance Support 13:21 – The Revenue Potential of Compliance 18:06 – Bookkeepers as Strategic Partners 22:41 – Getting Started with Compliance 27:51 – Embracing Compliance as a Growth Area This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext! Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place.  Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who've already made the switch. If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you! Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!

“Go out, stick your hand out, say hello and start talking. It's not easy, but over time it becomes easier and it's definitely worthwhile just creating the relationships either virtually or physically in the community.” -Holly Corcoran Holly Corcoran, owner and CEO of Corcoran Business Advisory Services, shares her journey from running a traditional CPA firm to launching a virtual, advisory-focused business that specializes in veterinary practices. She explains why she chose this niche, the value of niching down, and the importance of collaboration between bookkeepers and accountants. In this episode, you'll also learn… Why collaboration between bookkeepers & CPAs leads to better client outcomes What bookkeepers can do to build strong, lasting partnerships with accounting firms The benefits of focusing on a specific niche like veterinary practices To learn more about Holly, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 00:22 – Holly‘s transition from traditional CPA to advisory work 01:41 – How Holly got into veterinary advisory 03:41 – Benefits of niching & the unique needs of veterinary clients 06:10 – Developing branding, virtual practice setup & publishing her book 07:16 – Role of bookkeepers in Holly's advisory model & collaborative opportunities 09:02 – Key qualities of a good bookkeeping partner & working relationship dynamics 11:30 – Red flags bookkeepers should watch for when partnering with CPAs 13:42 – Virtual firm structure & plans for national exposure in the veterinary space 16:07 – Holly's strategy for outreach & educational webinars 17:56 – Perceptions and misconceptions between CPAs & bookkeepers 20:42 – The value of outsourcing, avoiding DIY traps & preventing fraud 24:44 – Encouragement for bookkeepers to connect with CPAs & overcome intimidation 27:20 – Final thoughts on consistency, outreach & building strategic relationships This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext! Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place.  Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who've already made the switch. If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you! Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!

“If you think about the most common mistake that most small and mid-sized business owners make when it comes to cybersecurity, it's this assumption that ‘I'm not very big. It's not going to happen to me'. And so they're not doing any security or they're doing minimal security measures in place.” -Nick Mullen Cybersecurity expert, Nick Mullen, founder and CEO of Entoo Security, shares the rising threats facing bookkeepers and accounting professionals. He provides real-world examples, common vulnerabilities, and how bookkeepers can protect themselves and their clients using the FTC Safeguards Rule as a blueprint for compliance. In this interview, you'll learn: The 3 major cyber threats facing bookkeepers How social engineering tricks users into handing over sensitive info Why small firms are easier targets— and how criminals exploit that To learn more about Nick and his services, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 02:13 – Nick's Mullen's background 04:05 – The biggest threat today: Ransomware 06:42 – Real-World Scam Examples 09:13 – How to Protect Your Money 12:11 – A $400K Real-Life Loss 14:36 – The most common mistake business owners make 17:18 – Social Engineering Tactics 20:11 – How criminals insert themselves into real email conversations to redirect payments. 23:27 – What is Ransomware? 27:25 – Risk Assessment 31:43 – Compliance Checklist 33:28 – Regulatory Fines 35:32 – How Entoo Security Helps 38:09 – Why cybersecurity is as essential as bookkeeping This episode is brought to you by our friends at BILL! BILL is the smarter way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses and control budgets, and access the credit your business needs to grow — all on one platform and they're designed to help bookkeepers succeed and grow, whether you have your own bookkeeping firm or you're a bookkeeper at an accounting firm. To find out more, check out BILL.com/successfulbookkeeper TODAY!

“Define your customer first. I only want to work with people who understand that accounting is important to their business.” -Debra Kilsheimer Debra Kilsheimer, owner of Behind the Scenes Financial Services, shares her journey from growing up in an accounting household to running a modern, client-focused bookkeeping business. She discusses the power of flat-rate pricing, building strong client relationships and how embracing technology can transform your business plus much more! Connect with her on LinkedIn and Facebook. To listen to The Bookkeepers on Fire podcast, click here. Check out her YouTube channel at this link. Time Stamp 01:05 - Debra's journey into accounting 04:31 - Early career struggles & leaving CPA firms 08:51 - Building a thriving firm with a focus on forward-looking financial strategies12:06 - Becoming a QuickBooks Pro Advisor 19:31 - Defining the ideal client & pricing strategies 25:46 - Embracing technology & efficiency30:05 - Work-Life balance & boundaries42:00 - Where to find Debra This episode is brought to you by our friends at BILL! BILL is the smarter way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses and control budgets, and access the credit your business needs to grow — all on one platform and they're designed to help bookkeepers succeed and grow, whether you have your own bookkeeping firm or you're a bookkeeper at an accounting firm. To find out more, check out BILL.com/successfulbookkeeper TODAY!

“As I was building all these processes in my mind, if I had been documenting them, I would have not had to spend that two years documenting everything after the fact when the team started to come. If you're good at what you do, your accountants are going to find you and they're going to start referring business to you. So just to have those processes documented and you're ready for when they come, that's gonna be a huge time saver.” -Rae Gagnon In this episode, Rae Gagnon, founder of Blue Jean Business Solutions, discusses the challenges of fast growth, the importance of documenting processes, and how systemizing allowed her to take a 10-week break without disruptions.  In this episode, you'll also learn... How niching in real estate bookkeeping accelerated growth The power of referrals & partnerships in scaling a firm Moving beyond bookkeeping with advisory & financial coaching To learn more about Rae, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 02:06 – Rae's journey into bookkeeping 04:10 – Finding a niche in real estate 08:18 – Rapid business growth 10:38 – Managing growth & personal life challenges 11:59 – Hiring & scaling the business 14:28 – Implementing systems & processes 16:15 – Strengths & weaknesses as a business owner 18:06 – Industry changes in real estate 20:38 – Advice for bookkeepers starting their business 22:31 – Implementing Pure Bookkeeping System 24:28 – The impact of systemization 28:08 – Transitioning to advisory services 30:25 – Expanding offerings beyond bookkeeping 33:42 – What's next? 34:39 – Final thoughts This episode is brought to you by our friends at BILL! BILL is the smarter way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses and control budgets, and access the credit your business needs to grow — all on one platform and they're designed to help bookkeepers succeed and grow, whether you have your own bookkeeping firm or you're a bookkeeper at an accounting firm. To find out more, check out BILL.com/successfulbookkeeper TODAY!  

“People came to me thinking that I was an expert. They saw the posts that I was posting about bookkeeping for law firms, and they already had buy-in to use my services. So I didn't need to sell them that much. I just needed to prove that I was a real person. I don't want to be out there selling my services. I want people coming to me already sold on my services.” -Brandy Derrick Brandy Derrick, owner of Legal Ease Bookkeeping, discusses her journey from learning bookkeeping for her father's business to building a successful virtual firm specializing in law firms. Brandy shares how she overcame self-doubt, found her niche, and leveraged online marketing to grow her business while working remotely—even from a sailboat! You'll also learn... The role of LinkedIn, YouTube & referrals in client acquisition strategy Why niching down simplifies marketing, sales & client trust The importance of persistence, overcoming self-doubt & finding a support system To learn more about Brandy & Legal Ease Bookkeeping, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp: 01:00 – Brandy's background & start in bookkeeping 03:00 – Challenges of working remotely without reliable internet 08:00 – Getting clients as a new bookkeeper 14:00 – Narrowing focus & building a niche in legal bookkeeping 17:00 – The role of Google Ads in business growth 21:00 – LinkedIn & Referral Marketing Strategy 30:00 – The power of offline marketing 38:00 – The value of niching in bookkeeping 42:00 – Overcoming challenges & growing confidence 45:00 – Final thoughts & where to find Brandy This episode is brought to you by our friends at BILL! BILL is the smarter way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses and control budgets, and access the credit your business needs to grow — all on one platform and they're designed to help bookkeepers succeed and grow, whether you have your own bookkeeping firm or you're a bookkeeper at an accounting firm. To find out more, check out BILL.com/successfulbookkeeper TODAY!

“In the bookkeeping and accounting world, if someone gets sick and that client can't get what they need, they just get back into the universe and another bookkeeper picks them up. So you lose everything.” -Christine Siegenthaler Christine Siegenthaler, founder of Succession Security, discusses the importance of contingency planning for solo bookkeepers and small bookkeeping firms. She shares how Succession Security helps ensure businesses continue operating during unexpected events like illness, injury, or even death. In this interview, you'll learn: Why contingency planning is essential How technology enables seamless business continuity Steps to secure your business To find out more about Christine, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. To learn how Succession Security can help you, visit SuccessionSecurity.com. Time Stamp 00:37 - Why solo bookkeepers need a contingency plan 01:52 - Risks of losing clients without a backup plan 03:22 - Importance of documentation and access to critical accounts 04:07 - Using cloud-based technology for seamless transitions 07:30 - The role of internet and cloud-based services in contingency planning 13:35 - Finding and trusting the right person to help manage your business 15:04 - The personal nature of bookkeeping and why AI can't replace human interaction 17:23 - The challenge of bookkeepers taking time off – business doesn't stop 19:31 - Legal considerations and recommended insurance coverage 21:22 - Best practices for security, encryption, and protecting client data 24:14 - How proactive planning ensures business continuity and client security 29:05 - The importance of designating an emergency point of contact 30:05 - How to get started with Succession Security and where to learn more

“If it's consistently where you're feeling behind like you can never get on top of your to-do list, that you're always having to reschedule stuff for tomorrow, that's probably a sign that you have too much work on your plate. That's a sign that you could use more help within your business.” -Jamie Van Cuyk Jamie Van Cuyk, owner of Growing Your Team, joins the podcast to help solo bookkeepers and small business owners master hiring and delegation. She shares practical strategies for building a strong team, improving efficiency, and setting up a business for long-term success. In this episode, you'll learn: Common delegation mistakes & how to avoid them How to create a job post that attracts the right candidates The difference between micromanaging & effective leadership To learn more about Jamie, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 01:07 - Jamie Van Cuyk's background 02:57 - Common fears around delegation 06:22 - The mindset shift needed to delegate effectively 10:42 - Key signs to hire & delegate tasks in your business 14:05 - How shifting from control to trust can create freedom & growth 20:06 - The importance of clear processes & training when delegating tasks 26:45 - How to determine what tasks to delegate 32:25 - Steps in hiring the right person & avoiding common mistakes 35:14 - Real success stories 39:58 - How to connect with Jamie for hiring support 41:33 - Business-building resources

“I remember being on Zoom and we saw our colleagues' children, people got personal and talked about the health challenges they were dealing with or that a family member was dealing with. I saw leaders and bosses having to have that same transparency. It was human to human. Since the workplace has evolved, employees are expecting that same transparency. They're expecting the same collaboration. And what they want specifically for the next generation of workers is the ability to contribute meaningfully to the decisions that impact their work.” -Dr. Angela Jackson Dr. Angela Jackson, founder of Future Forward Strategies and author of The Win-Win Workplace, shares how investing in employee well-being can boost productivity, profitability, and retention. She explains why traditional top-down management no longer works and how small businesses can create thriving workplaces by listening to employees and offering flexibility. In this interview, you'll learn: Why empowering employees leads to 23% higher profitability How small businesses can compete with larger firms by offering flexibility How to measure the ROI of employee engagement To learn more about Angela, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. To order her book, The Win-Win Workplace, visit this link.  Time Stamp 02:00 - Dr. Angela Jackson and her background 04:50 - Career journey and inspiration behind The Win-Win Workplace 04:51 - Research on aligning employee well-being with business success 08:39 - Why top-down decision-making is outdated 13:59 - The importance of flexibility in modern workplaces 19:01 - Small bookkeeping firm example of flexible work policies 24:01 - Offering meaningful benefits to boost retention 29:01 - Addressing benefit abuse and tracking productivity 33:01 - Key employee metrics and how to access the book

“Money is an energetic source in our world. When you get it, you feel really good, and when it leaves, you feel very bad. That's an energy. That's an exchange.” -Lou Clarke Lou Clarke, who is a CFO and profit strategist, discusses the power of confidence, pricing strategies, and how bookkeepers can shift into advisory roles to better serve clients. She also explains the importance of understanding money dynamics and building a business that truly thrives. To learn more about Lou, click here. Follow her on Instagram. Time Stamp 01:10 - Lou's Journey into Bookkeeping 03:30 - Early Business Growth & Pricing Challenges 06:40 - Losing a Major Client & Financial Struggles 10:00 - The Road to Financial Recovery 15:00 - Finding Clients & Business Growth Strategies 20:30 - Pricing for Value & Selling Results 25:10 - Confidence & Business Success 30:00 - Transitioning to Advisory & Profit First 35:50 - Understanding the Energetics of Money 40:20 - What's Next for Lou 45:00 - How to Connect with Lou

“If a majority of your leads come from LinkedIn, that's great, and you should keep doing that. But it doesn't hurt to diversify and to make sure that you have a couple of lead sources to pull in from different avenues.” -Kristen Corey Kristen Corey, founder of Media Books, dives into the importance of a well-designed website, how to make your firm stand out online, and common pitfalls to avoid.  In this interview, you'll also learn: Why a website builds trust & credibility How to turn visitors into loyal clients The best platforms for an easy-to-manage site Plus much more! To learn more about Kristen, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 00:28 – Kristen's journey from accounting to marketing 02:33 – Founding Media Books to help bookkeepers 04:21 – Common marketing struggles for bookkeepers 06:11 – Why websites matter for bookkeeping businesses 08:53 – The importance of an About page 10:44 – Choosing the best website platform 13:42 – Questions to ask when hiring a web designer 17:24 – The role of SEO in the AI era 20:35 – How websites improve user experience 24:15 – Common website mistakes to avoid 26:33 – Must-have features for bookkeeping websites 28:33 – Ensuring a website is user-friendly 31:48 – Pitfalls to avoid in website building 32:59 – Media Books' website design process 35:01 – Client success story

“My workflow was going to tell me exactly what I needed to do that day. And I very intentionally and very consciously grounded myself into my work and into that routine and into that process, because that was the one thing in my life that was certain. My business got me through that time, that certainty and that control when everything else was so chaotic.” - Stephanie Kelcey Stephanie Kelcey, owner of Capture Bookkeeping, shares her journey of navigating major life transitions while building a successful bookkeeping business. She opens up about overcoming personal challenges, restructuring her business for efficiency, and the mindset shifts that helped her find stability and growth. In this interview, you'll learn: How systems & workflows can create stability during life transitions Why mindset shifts are crucial for financial success The impact of community and support networks on business growth Plus much more! Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn. Learn more about Capture Bookkeeping here. Time Stamp: 00:39 – Journey into bookkeeping & business growth 02:56 – Navigating personal challenges 04:13 – The importance of support 09:54 – Coping mechanisms 12:56 – Creating space in business & shifting to an advisory model 17:17 – Mindset shifts in business, financial growth & client empowerment 22:02 – Financial mindset shifts 26:21 – Systems, hiring & structuring workflows for stability 30:09 – Focusing on rest, personal growth&  financial education 32:41 – Implementing a CRM system & improving work-life balance 34:50 – Business success, community & learning This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Hub Analytics! Imagine having all your financial data in one place, with real-time analytics and customized reports at your fingertips. Hub Analytics is a financial platform that streamlines bookkeeping operations, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality results for your clients. With Hub's easy-to-use tools, you'll save time, reduce errors, and gain deeper insights into your clients' financials! Ready to take your bookkeeping to the next level? Book a demo to learn more and start your FREE trial TODAY!  

“I don't see a world where the profession of accounting is totally taken over by AI. There'll always be that need for human touch and validation because we do audits and we need to make sure that we get their taxes right. So I would just say, embrace it, think about how it's going to give you that better work-life balance, and then just go for it. Give it a try.” -Karen Ainley Karen Ainley, Head of the Accountants Business Unit at Sage, dives into how AI, automation, and digitization are transforming the bookkeeping and accounting profession. She shares key insights from the Practice of Now report, offering practical advice on embracing change, building client relationships, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving industry. In this interview, you'll learn: How AI & automation enhance efficiency & client service The shifting role of bookkeepers from historical reporting to advisory services Why client expectations demand tech-savvy professionals today Connect with Karen on LinkedIn. Time Stamp: 01:19 - Overview of the Practice of Now report 02:13 - Key findings: skills, AI & client relationships 03:36 - How AI improves workloads & work-life balance 06:18 - Evolving client expectations & demand for tech-savvy services 09:01 - Global tax digitization trends & their impact 13:08 - Shift to subscription models & value-based pricing 16:59 - Advisory services replacing traditional bookkeeping 19:25 - How small practices can compete with AI tools 21:40 - Sage Copilot's features: anomaly detection & automation 26:00 - Karen's advice: embrace technology & take action 27:39 - How Sage supports bookkeepers with tools & resources 29:16 - Closing remarks & resources for listeners This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage! On February 13th at 12pm ET, Sage will be presenting its webinar, Practice of Now: How To Plan Your Practice for 2025 & Beyond, to our community. It'll cover The Practice of Now global insights study to help you plan your role and practice for the future.   During this webinar, you'll learn: Current trends that are changing the profession The biggest opportunity to take in the next 12 months Key actions that all accountants and bookkeepers should be considering Plus much more! REGISTER NOW before it's too late!

“I put my clients on notice in the first week of December. All of my clients get an email blast so that they know what to expect, and that helps so much. So we are having this conversation now in the third week of January. All of my clients who gave me their information are tax-ready. And I could not have said that five years ago.” -Jessica Fox Jessica Fox, founder of Florida Virtual Bookkeeper, shares how she transformed her business with systems that simplify tax season and prioritize work-life balance. From implementing proactive workflows to setting clear client boundaries, Jessica reveals how these changes have allowed her to thrive in her career and personal life. In this interview, you'll learn: How to turn tax season into a year-round, stress-free process The importance of clear client boundaries & communication Strategies for maintaining work-life balance while running a bookkeeping business To find out more about Jessica, click here. Connect with here on LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn about The Pure Bookkeeping System here. Time Stamp 00:38 - Evolving systems & nurturing a community 01:27 - The importance of treating tax season as a year-round process 04:08 - Implementing the Pure Bookkeeping System 07:03 - Strategies for requesting information & avoiding bottlenecks 09:35 - Ensuring a healthy work-life balance 13:19 - Setting boundaries by creating systems & focusing on clear communication 15:23 - Saying “no” to unrealistic client expectations & charging rush fees 18:50 - Celebrating stress-free tax seasons & prioritizing vacations 20:17 - Handling client re-homing & transitioning 24:24 - Upcoming goals 27:51 - Connect with Jessica & join her bookkeeping systems lounge

“And so I went through all of the little folders and things that I had stored different goals, and I pulled them all into one place and had a whole week to really think about what I wanted my goals to be for next year. And that brought tremendous clarity.” -Nancy Gwynne-Vaughan In this episode, Nancy Gwynne-Vaughan, President of Graham Consulting & Training Inc., explores the realities of running a small business in the bookkeeping sector, offering insights on overcoming challenges, creating effective systems, and setting purposeful goals. She underscores the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and support systems in navigating the complexities of business ownership. To learn more about Nancy, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. If you need help building systems in your business, visit PureBookkeeping.com. Time Stamp: 00:39 - The constant unpredictability & challenges of running a small business 03:01 - Building systems, managing staff effectively & creating a supportive team 04:54 - Reflecting on the past year & planning actionable steps for success 09:05 - Breaking down annual goals into quarterly & weekly plans 13:20 - How goal-setting & positive thinking can shape business outcomes 17:45 - Balancing personal & business goals 24:32 - Preparing for challenges 31:23 - Building a reliable team & leveraging tools 36:35 - Maintaining an entrepreneurial growth mindset 42:19 - Insights on lifelong learning, embracing change & finding fulfilment

“I had no niche. I didn't know what I wanted to do. I knew the clients I really didn't like to work with. But they were also talking about, ‘You got to find your niche.' And I'm like, ‘How do you find a niche?'” -Leslee Hickerson Leslee Hickerson shares her inspiring journey from a small Ontario town to becoming a successful bookkeeper and consultant specializing in law firms. She reflects on her challenges during the pandemic, her transformative decision to join the Pure Bookkeeping community, and the importance of finding clarity and direction through a niche focus in her business. In this interview, you'll learn: The benefits of specializing in a niche for business success The value of certification in elevating your bookkeeping career Tips for conquering imposter syndrome & embracing growth opportunities Connect with Leslee on LinkedIn. Time Stamp: 00:53 - Leslee's Journey into Bookkeeping 05:58 - Navigating Challenges During COVID 11:56 - Finding Community & Support 17:59 - Narrowing Down to a Niche 24:00 - Transitioning to Advisory Services 29:52 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 36:05 - The Importance of Certification & Education

“You think that you're competing against other accountants, but for people who are just starting, you're competing against ‘free'. As far as they're concerned, ‘I've been doing my bookkeeping and I was doing fine and it didn't cost me anything, so why should I pay you?'” -Keila Hill-Trawick In this episode, Kyla Hill Treywick, founder and CEO of Little Fish Accounting, shares her journey into accounting and the lessons learned while building a thriving firm. She highlights the value of client relationships, effective team building, and maintaining a strong company culture to drive success.  In this episode, you'll learn… How to overcome challenges in starting & scaling a business with a quality-first approach Building a strong team & company culture Embracing industry trends focused on collaboration & connection To learn more about Keila, connect with her on LinkedIn. Check out her company website here. Time Stamp 01:37 - Keila's career shift from corporate roles to launching an accounting firm 04:02 - Starting a business & refining services 07:44 - Overcoming challenges 12:20 - Evolving sales process 18:17 - Importance of diagnostics & addressing client needs up front 23:21 - Transitioning to relationship-focused services 26:28 - Prioritizing sustainable growth & intentional scaling 29:44 - Growing a remote team, managing turnover & fostering a strong company culture 34:27 - Embracing trends like collaboration, niching & human connection in accounting

“As a business owner, as an entrepreneur, I feel like there are 50 million things that I want and need to do all the time. So I find it very easy to get distracted. So I think about what are the top things that I need to put my attention towards, what are the biggest things that I want.  I've got this little sign on my wall up there, ‘Where your attention goes, the energy flows.' And that has really helped keep me sort of focused. ” -Stephanie Skryzowski In this episode, Stephanie Skryzowski, founder and CEO of 100 Degrees Consulting, shares her inspirational journey from aspiring lawyer to leading a global consulting firm for nonprofits. Stephanie discusses how her passion for finance and impactful causes led her to create a thriving business, her innovative strategies for scaling her team, and the lessons she learned from challenges along the way. In this episode, you'll learn... Overcoming scope creep & setting boundaries for growth Scaling a remote team while maintaining a mission-driven focus Key lessons in building a niche business with robust systems To learn more about Stephanie, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn, and Instagram. Listen to the Prosperous Nonprofit Podcast here.  Time Stamp 01:03 - Stephanie's nonprofit finance journey 02:01 - Career pivot from corporate law to nonprofit financial management 07:01 - Importance of accurate bookkeeping for nonprofit growth 10:31 - Landing first clients through targeted outreach 14:01 - Scaling challenges: scope creep, pricing & team growth 27:31 - Team structure changes & effective delegation 32:01 - Lessons from selling a business segment & niche focus 37:01 - Book recommendations, reflections & advice for business owners

Kick off your new year with inspiration and actionable insights in this special year-end episode!   Host, Michael Palmer welcomes an exceptional panel of industry leaders for an engaging conversation reflecting on the trends, triumphs, and challenges of 2024!   From unexpected industry shifts to personal stories of resilience and powerful client success transformations, this episode dives deep into the strategies that have shaped bookkeeping businesses globally.   Packed with valuable takeaways, this discussion sets the stage for a productive and impactful 2025!   A heartfelt thank you to all of our amazing listeners for being part of our journey this year.   YOU are the reason this show exists, and we're so grateful for your support.    We wish you a joyful and prosperous New Year!   To find out more about our guests, click below:   Lisa Campbell Katrina Aarsman Jessica Fox  Teresa Slack   To explore Pure Bookkeeping, visit this link.   Time Stamp   02:10 - Biggest Surprises of 2024 06:30 - Setbacks in 2024 12:40 - Heartwarming Client Success Stories 18:50 - Key Strategies for Success in 2024 27:10 - Trends in 2024 and Predictions for 2025 40:25 - Focus and Vision for 2025 54:50 - What's Ahead   This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Succession Security! What if you couldn't work tomorrow?  Who would step in to manage your clients and keep your income flowing? That's where Succession Security comes in. Think of it as ‘insurance' that pays out in labor.  If an unexpected emergency strikes—whether it's an illness, accident, or even a family crisis—Succession Security ensures your business keeps running. They step in to manage operations, communicate with clients, and protect everything you've built. Learn more and start your business continuity plan today at successionsecurity.com.

“If somebody else can't operate your business and you can't transfer the value that you currently have in your business to that other person and allow them to operate it, your business is not ready. And so succession planning should be something that every business owner does every day because if they don't do it every day, you're not ready. You're going to miss something along the way.” -Doreen Binkiewicz Doreen Binkiewicz, owner of DGL Business Solutions, shares her journey of growing a thriving bookkeeping business while balancing the demands of family life. She delves into the power of systems, effective hiring strategies, and succession planning to build a business that is both scalable and transferable. In this interview, you'll learn: Strategies for building a client base through referrals The critical role of succession planning in ensuring business continuity The importance of implementing systems to enhance business value and readiness for transition To learn more about Doreen and DGL Bookkeeping Solutions, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. To explore Pure Bookkeeping, visit this link. Time Stamp 01:09 - Doreen's introduction to ProfitCon and her journey 02:48 - Building a family-focused bookkeeping business with time-blocking 04:50 - Adopting Pure Bookkeeping and Profit First systems 07:28 - Enhancing hiring practices and recovering post-COVID 09:16 - Gaining clients through referrals and building a strong team 13:32 - Diving into succession planning and business transitions 15:40 - The four pillars of effective succession planning 20:44 - Importance of early succession planning for sustainability 28:31 - Transitioning business segments through succession planning 35:20 - Expanding into advisory services alongside bookkeeping

“Like, suddenly it's, ‘Uh, yeah, I agreed to do your payroll, and now you're asking me to get all this paperwork filled out for the employee.' Or, ‘Oh, you do my payroll, can you handle the workers' comp?' Or, ‘Hey, you said you do payroll, can you track what job every single employee works on at any given moment?' And that creep of scope is tough, especially because I'm a bit of a people pleaser. I had real trouble just saying, ‘No, you didn't pay for that.'” -Rhamy Alejeal Rhamy Alejeal discusses how financial professionals can support businesses in navigating HR challenges. He shares insights on scaling HR operations, mitigating risk, and enhancing efficiency through partnerships and specialization. In this interview, you'll learn: How HR services reduce risk and increase return on labor The crucial role of financial professionals in addressing compliance How partnerships enhance services while avoiding risk and scope creep Connect with Rhamy on LinkedIn and YouTube.  Click here to learn more about People Processes. Time Stamp: 05:57 - Challenges in Scaling HR Operations 11:53 - Navigating Client Needs and Referrals 17:52 - Partnership Opportunities for Bookkeepers 23:53 - Broadening Discovery for Client Needs 29:55 - Conclusion and Resources

“I think being ready to change your processes or adapt to processes, finding new efficiencies—that is a constant growth. Even if you're happy with the level that you're at, the revenue level that you're at, and you're not looking to grow or expand, things will still change and evolve with your processes and with technology. So I think it's really important to be open and accepting of that.” -Kimme Lafayette Kimme Lafayette, owner of Beyond Bookkeeping Business Services, reveals her journey from accounting student to business owner, sharing the lessons she learned about overcoming challenges like pricing and client relationships. With a focus on value pricing, mentorship, and community, she offers actionable advice to help bookkeepers grow and succeed in their own businesses. During this interview, you'll learn: Tips for adapting & thriving in a changing industry How value pricing can elevate your bookkeeping business The secrets to fostering strong client relationships To learn more about Kimme, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp: 02:21 - Journey to Bookkeeping 06:13 - Starting a Business by Accident 10:41 - Overcoming Initial Barriers 14:44 - Transitioning to Value Pricing 19:23 - Facing Fear & Taking Action 21:48 - Advice for New Bookkeepers 25:34 - The Importance of Community 29:31 - Adaptability in Business 32:35 - Conclusion & Future Directions

“One of the things we kept running into was we would look at brands, we would look at firms, look at what they're doing and go, ‘Wow, this just isn't different. This is very copycat.' It's very similar to what everyone else is doing.” -Mike Jones Mike Jones, CEO and managing partner of ReSound, highlights the critical role of branding and differentiation in the professional services sector, with a focus on accounting and bookkeeping. Drawing from the Remarca Brand Index, he shares key insights on avoiding common branding pitfalls, embracing authenticity, and taking practical steps to stand out in a competitive market. During this interview, you'll learn: How branding goes beyond visuals to focus on strategy & messaging Why differentiation is essential for success in a competitive market The impact of small, thoughtful changes on brand perception To learn more about ReSound, click here. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn. Time Stamp: 01:45 - Introduction to Branding & Marketing Strategies 06:13 - The Remarca Brand Index: Insights & Data Collection 11:47 - Leveraging the Remarca Brand Index for Improvement 18:00 - The Role of Authenticity in Branding 23:47 - Conclusion & Resources for Further Learning This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage! With the new Sage for Accountants, you can automate daily tasks and unlock not only more efficiency, but more time for valuable client collaboration all in one place! Learn more or get started for free at the below link. thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/sage

“And to my framework that I offer folks is, what is that? How do we always find a path forward? What do we do when these things hit? How do we keep moving forward when we just feel like, ‘I just can't flippin do this anymore. It is just too much.'” -Nina Sossamon-Pogue Nina Sossamon-Pogue, a former USA gymnast turned Emmy-winning news anchor and tech executive, shares her powerful story of resilience and transformation. She explores pivotal moments in her career, from overcoming gymnastics injuries to transitioning between vastly different industries, offering strategies to navigate change with purpose. Nina introduces her 'this' concept for categorizing challenges and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in managing stress and thriving through adversity. In this interview, you'll learn: How to turn adversity into growth opportunities Practical strategies for handling life & career transitions The 'this' concept for breaking down & managing challenges Tune in to discover actionable tools for transforming challenges into stepping stones and confidently embracing life's uncertainties. To learn more about Nina, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn, Facebook, or Instagram. TimeStamp: 01:40 - Nina's Journey: From Gymnastics to Tech 10:49 - Resilience Through Adversity 14:28 - Helping Others Navigate Change 25:10 - Understanding 'This': The Challenges We Face 29:41 - Finding Your Path Forward

“Set your rules, stick to your rules, and only take clients that play by the rules. We call it rules of engagement.“ -Dida Clifton Dida Clifton, a former US Air Force veteran and founder of The Office Squad, shares her inspiring journey from military operations to running a successful bookkeeping business. She opens up about tackling challenges like pricing, hiring, and networking while revealing how her military background shaped her leadership style and company culture.  In this interview, you'll discover: Proven pricing strategies to reflect your true value Smart hiring & training practices to build a strong, aligned team How outsourcing can help you scale without sacrificing quality Tune in to learn actionable strategies to overcome challenges, build your dream team, and create a flexible, scalable business model for long-term success. To find out more about Dida click here. Time Stamps 00:40 - From Military to Business: Dida's Journey 02:45 - Building the Office Squad: Strategies & Growth 06:45 - Pricing Strategies: Lessons Learned 09:15 - Networking: The Key to Business Growth 12:51 - Peer Groups: Support & Growth 14:49 - Military Influence: Leadership & Culture 19:58 - Systems & Processes: The Military Way 22:15 - Hiring & Culture: Finding the Right Fit 24:39 - Outsourcing: A Different Approach 27:53 - The Future of Bookkeeping: A Hybrid Model This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Hub Analytics! Imagine having all your financial data in one place, with real-time analytics and customized reports at your fingertips. Hub Analytics is a financial platform that streamlines bookkeeping operations, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality results for your clients. With Hub's easy-to-use tools, you'll save time, reduce errors, and gain deeper insights into your clients' financials! Ready to take your bookkeeping to the next level? Book a demo to learn more and start your FREE trial TODAY!

“What I now do is I change the word 'problem' to the word 'situation' and when I change that one word, it just flips something in my brain where I can now work on it  and it turns it into something objective and something almost like, ‘okay, I can do something about this now'.” -Bernadette McClelland Sales coach and consultant, Bernadette McClelland shares her powerful journey from corporate sales to entrepreneurship, revealing the hard-earned lessons learned from overcoming bankruptcy and self-doubt. During this interview, you'll also learn… Actionable insights on building resilience, reframing challenges & viewing disruption as an opportunity for growth Shift from selling to serving Ways to build a strong support network & commit to continuous improvement Tune in to this inspiring episode to discover how to turn setbacks into stepping stones and transform your approach to business and life! To find out more about Bernadette, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 02:57 - Journey Through Corporate to Consultancy 05:56 - Lessons from Bankruptcy 09:11 - Reframing Problems as Situations 11:53 - The Power of Disruption 15:00 - Embracing Anti-Fragility 18:04 - The Evolution of Business Mindset 26:40 - Embracing the Present & Future Mindset 30:58 - The Importance of Mental Downtime 39:03 - Transforming Sales into Service

"The fear of speaking isn't a random thing, but rather it's pointing to experiences in our past that led us to believe it's not safe." -Linda Ugelow In this episode, we're joined by Linda Ugelow, a speaking empowerment coach and author of Delight In The Limelight, who turned her own fear of public speaking into a mission to help others find their voice. Linda shares the key mindset shifts that build confidence, showing how confronting past experiences and silencing negative self-talk can unlock powerful communication skills.  In this interview, you'll learn how to... Conquer public speaking fears through self-reflection Replace negative self-talk for better communication Improve speaking with better posture, voice & delivery Whether you want to feel more at ease in front of an audience or in daily conversations, her insights are invaluable for anyone looking to speak with greater confidence and clarity. To find out more about Linda, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 00:20 - The Importance of public speaking 03:13 - Linda's journey & the root causes of fear 08:55 - Clearing past experiences & healing the inner critic 16:32 - Enhancing communication skills: posture, voice & delivery 23:43 - The impact of effective communication on personal & business relationships 29:16 - Linda's book & podcast

"I just remember thinking even early in my life like I want to be able to help people figure out their path someday and create successful businesses." -Lauren Shippy In this episode, we dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Lauren Shippy, founder of StoryWork, as she reveals the secrets behind her success. During this interview, you'll learn: The importance of a clear vision & purpose for business success How aligning time and priorities reduces distractions The role of habits and routines in reaching goals Whether you're a seasoned business owner or just starting out, this conversation is packed with insights into the power of habits, routines, and strategic clarity! To find out more about Lauren, click here. Connect with with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 00:43 - Lauren discusses her background & career journey 03:14 - Finding clarity & strategy in business 08:22 - The importance of leadership & adaptability 10:23 - Eliminating distractions & staying focused 18:32 - The power of habits & routines 24:38 - Valuable resources for business owners

“I actually feel like AI is going to level the playing field for smaller firms, more than ever before. That's an incredible thing, I think it's an amazing opportunity in front of us.” -Tommy Vincent   The window of change gets shorter every day, and this can leave us feeling pressured to keep up, or frustrated that no sooner have we caught up, than the next innovation is speeding away from us again.   While it's true technology is racing ahead on an exponential curve, we don't have to. We don't have to know how to build apps, read code or create the next step in technological development. We just have to get good at finding things that work for us and leveraging them before our competitors do.   While you can use AI to replace people, the quality of the work won't be as good. AI, at its best, will help us accelerate our system of checks and business processes to give us back our time. More time away from the mundane leaves more time for the things you love to do.   Tommy Vincent, VP of Sales at Hub Analytics, is this spotlight episode's special guest. He has spent his career helping businesses understand their complex needs, and then align them with the right solutions.    During this interview, you'll learn... The value of AI in levelling the playing field  How to leverage technology in your business The importance of embracing technology as it shifts If you are curious about the future, worried about the pace of change, or just want to free up more time in your business, then this is the episode to get you leaning into technology in the way that works best for you!   To find out more about Tommy, click here.   Connect with him on Linkedin.   Time Stamps   01:26 - Tommy discusses his career journey  03:40 - The future of bookkeeping 06:00 - Embracing technology shifts 07:50 - Levelling the playing field  18:11 - Leveraging technology   26:17 - How Hub Analytics can help you thrive  31:40 - Learning more   This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Hub Analytics! Imagine having all your financial data in one place, with real-time analytics and customized reports at your fingertips. Hub Analytics is a financial platform that streamlines bookkeeping operations, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality results for your clients. With Hub's easy-to-use tools, you'll save time, reduce errors, and gain deeper insights into your clients' financials! Ready to take your bookkeeping to the next level? Book a demo to learn more and start your FREE trial TODAY!  

“Everybody has to find their own way to reduce their stress…what works for me may not work for you.” -Tiffany Cagwin We all experience stress, it is a fact of modern life. But our bodies cannot adapt to our changing world at the same place as the demands we place upon them. There comes a time when we all have to stop and ask ourselves if everything we are grinding for is truly worth the cost to our health and well-being.  There is nothing wrong with working hard to provide the kind of life for ourselves and our families that we have always dreamed of. But there needs to be balance, making it to the goal, but realizing we are in pieces is often the final nail in our sense of physical and mental well-being. Tiffany Cagwin, executive leader and transformation coach, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career applying her skills, knowledge and life experiences to help others find better long-term health.  During this interview, you'll learn... The value of making small changes for a big difference How stress is impacting our health The importance of listening to your health, not everyone else's Whether you are already doing your best to work through health challenges, or just starting to notice things are getting harder, this episode will help you! To find out more about Tiffany, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps     01:33 - Tiffany discusses her career journey  08:33 - Coming to terms with life's challenges  10:42 - Managing our stresses  18:23 - Getting back on track 26:51 - No one size fits all 34:50 - Learning more about Tiffany This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Dext! Dext captures your clients' data with incredible accuracy and deliver it seamlessly into your workflow, integrating with over 30 accounting softwares. Imagine having more time to focus on what truly matters, like helping your clients, growing your firm, or taking a well-deserved break. With Dext, you can trust that data is accurately extracted, categorized, and submitted every time. Are you ready to streamline your bookkeeping processes?  Join thousands of accountants and bookkeepers in the Dext community. Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo today and see how Dext can make your work life easier!  

“I think the most important thing a bookkeeper can do is make a client feel like you care about their business. You care about their success, and your only purpose is to make sure that they are making more money.” -Tanya Fox   An idea doesn't have to be original for it to work. There is no harm or shame in looking at what those you consider to be successful are doing and applying what works in your own business. So much time is wasted trying to reinvent the wheel, trying to learn to do things we hate, when we could simply partner with someone who fills those gaps.   Collaboration at its heart is about connection, understanding the needs of others and working to solve their problems either by handling it ourselves if the issue is in our wheelhouse, or being confident enough to pass paying work onto more skilled people. Knowing that when we do this, it builds trust and long-term connections that show that faith is rewarded with the kinds of work we actually enjoy.    Tanya Fox, bookkeeper, business coach and author of How To Collaborate, is the featured guest in this second of a two-part series.    During this interview, you'll learn... The importance of getting connected How to build on existing relationships The value of thinking outside the box To find out more about Tanya, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps   01:22 - Getting connected  12:40 - Thinking outside the box  20:09 - If it works for others, why not for you? 22:51 - You can make it work 26:05 - Building on relationships 

“What I realized only years later, in doing collaborations is that I had to stop assuming I knew what someone thought I was worth, or what they were getting is worth.” -Tanya Fox There exists a damaging belief in business that if we aren't the ones handling every aspect of our work, that we aren't successful. As much as we might like to believe we can do everything alone, trying to live this way is a surefire way to burn out.  Working with others is scary, handling employees is hard enough, but working with service partners and collaborators is even more fear-inducing. How do we know who is right for our business, who gets where we are coming from and what if they don't care or apply as much effort as you think they should to our businesses? Working with others can be a nightmare, but it can also be an incredibly beneficial and rewarding experience. One where all parties can see the kind of positive results that could never have been achieved if they hadn't worked together.  Tanya Fox, bookkeeper, business coach and author of How to Collaborate, is the featured guest in the first of a two-part series. In part one, Tanya discusses her early days in business, how powerful collaboration can be, and why we each need to find our own path to collaborative success.  If you want to work with others but are jaded by bad past experiences, or maybe you don't feel like what you have to offer is worth the effort of others, then this is the episode that will help you let go of always deciding you aren't good enough.  During this interview, you'll learn... The value of knowing it's okay to change your mind How collaboration can change your business The importance of failing forward  To find out more about Tanya, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Check out her website at this link. Time Stamps     01:44 - Tanya discusses her career journey  07:08 - Learning to collaborate 13:46 - Finding your ideal partners 17:19 - Charting your own course  24:07 - Going back to basics  This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Hub Analytics! Imagine having all your financial data in one place, with real-time analytics and customized reports at your fingertips. Hub Analytics is a financial platform that streamlines bookkeeping operations, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality results for your clients. With Hub's easy-to-use tools, you'll save time, reduce errors, and gain deeper insights into your clients' financials! Ready to take your bookkeeping to the next level? Book a demo to learn more and start your FREE trial TODAY!  

“You're meant to lead the way and if your plate is so full that you're only doing things halfway, and not feeling really good about the job you're doing, and how you can impact others, we need to really take a holistic look at what's going on.” -Tonya Herb When our cars break down, we seek out a mechanic. We visit the doctor when we are sick. Yet in our businesses, we feel pressure to see to every single element of business activity. Running a business this way can only ever have one outcome: failure. It is not possible to do everything that needs to be done well enough that the edges don't start to fray. From there, it's only a matter of time before everything we've worked so hard for, unravels completely. But it doesn't have to be this way. You can learn to delegate and share the load with others. People that fill and compliment your gaps, freeing you to focus on the things you love the most.   Tonya Herb, a life and leadership development coach, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career helping entrepreneurs reclaim their time, overcome their fears and embrace success. In this episode, Tonya and Michael explore how to spend time more effectively, beating back overthinking, and why all the best leaders delegate.  If you are struggling to quiet an overactive mind, want to expand your business, but are afraid of being in charge, or want to learn from others, but aren't sure where to start, then this is the episode that will get you thinking about the true value of your time.  During this interview, you'll learn... Why overthinking is killing your success How to spend your time & energy more effectively The importance of delegation  To find out more about Tonya, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:31 - Tonya discusses her career journey  03:58 - Knowing where to start  06:01 - Unlocking delegation  09:50 - Overcoming overthinking  16:18 - The fear of responsibility  25:34 - Where are you spending your time  27:50 - Surrounding yourself with success

“You're not your client's bank. Contrary to some beliefs, you're doing work for them and getting paid. There are different ways to structure your payment terms that limit your exposure.” -Michelle Bomberger We know as bookkeepers just how much relationships matter in business; we want our clients to invest in us to fill their gaps. But we often don't want to invest in others to fill our own. This is especially true when it comes to the legal side of doing business. Legal help and advice are expensive, and many of us run with the belief that we'll only need that kind of help if something goes wrong.  But like insurance, investing in a good legal advisor can help cover and protect you from all the things you fear, and all the things that could affect our businesses that we don't even know about yet. Michelle Bomberger, Founder and CEO at Equinox Business Law Group, is this episode's guest. She has spent her career helping businesses with their strategic decision-making, working together to build strong and lasting relationships that keep her clients protected. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of taking a proactive approach to protection How to give your contracts more teeth The Three Tiers of Protection  If you are struggling with your business' legal infrastructure, aren't sure how to protect yourself and your business or just want to give your contracts more teeth, this is the episode to get you thinking about putting protection in place before you need it! To find out more about Michelle, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter Take the Business Health Assessment here. Time Stamps 01:43 - Michelle discusses her career journey 05:22 - The three tiers of protection  08:10 - Finding the right lawyer for you 11:20 - Building trusting relationships 16:30 - Iron cladding your contracts  20:40 - Getting paid upfront  25:03 - Challenging illegal activity   28:04 - Managing conflicts of interest  33:02 - Being proactive for long-term security  35:01 - Business Health Assessment This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage! With the new Sage for Accountants, you can automate daily tasks and unlock not only more efficiency, but more time for valuable client collaboration all in one place! Learn more or get started for free at thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/sage!

“The job of a good embezzler is to become the trusted bookkeeper.” -Ruth King The pace of change is exponential, and keeping up with all the new technologies is a real challenge. But it doesn't have to be that way. We don't have to chase every new invention; we need only to find the tools that make doing business for ourselves and our clients a little bit easier. The desire to keep up can lead us into all kinds of online traps. Theft is already a fact of life in business. If we aren't paying attention, people will try to get away with anything they can. The same is true for AI and other tools. If you aren't 100% confident in the tools you are using, perhaps it's time to slow down and get sure. Trust but verify, not only your people but your tools too. It can be easy to pass off tasks to others, but if we let the pressure of keeping up force us to shift more information out of our eyeline, we can't be surprised when that trust is taken advantage of.  Ruth King, who is a business advisor and author, is this week's featured guest. She has spent her career helping businesses get and stay profitable, by showing them how to leverage the best tools and processes for the task at hand. In this episode, Ruth and Michael discuss the importance of managing small problems before they get out of hand, protecting yourself and your business from theft, and what it means to have a financially fit business.   If you are struggling to get a grip on the latest tech, need to delegate but are concerned about who and what to trust, or just want to learn more about creating a financially fit business, then this is the episode to get you putting trust in the one place it matters most: yourself. During this interview, you'll learn... What theft looks like in the modern age & how to stop it How to create a successful & financially fit business The importance of managing the little things so they don't get out of hand To find out more about Ruth, click here. Connect with Ruth on LinkedIn and Twitter. Learn more about Financially Fit Business.  Time Stamps 01:26 - Ruth discusses her career journey  03:36 - Fixing problems before they become a crisis 05:30 - Discovering AI 07:42 - Pay attention or face the consequences 12:29 - Be careful what you sign  16:45 - Making a difference  21:39 - Key elements of growth 23:24 - 14 Critical Trend Analysis 26:24 - Financial Fit Business     34:25 - Learning more about Ruth

“We're actually biologically positioned and programmed to receive stories. For most of existence, for the hundreds of thousands of years humans have existed on the planet, we have not been able to transfer information in written form from one person to another.” -Matthew Dicks As bookkeepers, we love the details. We find patterns in them others struggle to see. But sometimes our love of numbers makes it hard to step away from pure and factual resolution. Think about a subject that bores you to tears, then imagine having to listen to a report about it. How we feel about those things is the same way others feel about bookkeeping. That is why we need something more than the numbers to not only get our clients on board but to keep them long-term. We need stories. We need ways of communicating that connect us through authentic and entertaining lived experiences.  Matthew Dicks, storyteller and bestselling author, is this episode's featured guest. He has spent his career helping others tell their stories in compelling, and authentic ways. In this episode, he will discuss... The value of sharing your story with your clients How to tell a story, not read a report The importance of connecting business and story together  So, if you are struggling to compete in a market saturated with services. It might be time to think beyond your skills, to how you connect and relate with the people you hope to serve. This is the episode to help you do just that! To find out more about Matthew, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn, Twitter or Facebook. Check out his TED talk, Homework For Life. Time Stamps     01:18 - Matthew discusses his career journey  05:52 - Reporting vs Storytelling  07:44 - Connecting story to business  15:20 - Building authentic connections  20:27 - Sharing our story  30:58 - Stories sell  This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Hub Analytics! Imagine having all your financial data in one place, with real-time analytics and customized reports at your fingertips. Hub Analytics is a financial platform that streamlines bookkeeping operations, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality results for your clients. With Hub's easy-to-use tools, you'll save time, reduce errors, and gain deeper insights into your clients' financials! Ready to take your bookkeeping to the next level? Book a demo to learn more and start your FREE trial TODAY!    

“Walking is our common denominator in terms of movement, almost all of us walk. It's a really great place to begin, to teach people about movement.” -Bruce Fertman Our role as bookkeepers gives us unique insight into the health of a business. We can make sense of the figures in a way our clients would struggle to alone. We find the problems and successes and help our clients to make changes to their business that improve profitability and longevity.  Yet despite this being a critical function of what we do for others, we don't invest nearly the same amount of time and effort into our own health. We ignore the telltale signs and symptoms in our own bodies in the same way our clients frustrate us by ignoring the areas of challenge in their businesses.  Sitting at our desks may feel productive, but we often spend hours sitting, with bad posture trying to generate the same productivity, creativity and insight we could gain from a 12-minute walk.  Bruce Fertman, co-author of Walking Well and lifetime movement specialist, is this episode's featured guest. He has spent his life helping others find their path to wellness through movement. In this episode, he speaks powerfully about the need to get the basics right, how small changes can make huge differences, and why you should invest in your health the way you do in your work. If you are feeling run down, exhausted, overwhelmed, or just want even more energy to get things done, then this is the episode for you! During this interview, you'll learn... The value of investing in your health How to walk for positive change and transformation The importance of getting back to the basics  To find out more about Bruce, click here. Connect with him on Facebook.  You can get a copy of Walking Well at this link. Time Stamps    01:28 - Bruce discusses his career journey  05:35 - The benefits of walking  08:39 - Are you walking enough? 20:52 - Small changes, huge differences   32:36 - Investing time in yourself  37:25 - Going back to basics  46:45 - Learning more about Bruce

“A lot of people say, ‘Oh retirement, that's for old people. I don't need to be thinking about that now.' But it is just good cash flow management. It's good financial planning. To be thinking not only about what I am spending my money on today as a business owner but also what does this look like in 5, 10, 20 years.” -Courtenay Shipley As bookkeepers, it is our job to help others understand how the flow of money works in and around their business. A critical yet often overlooked part of that, is how we plan for the future. It's easy to get excited by success, so much so that we don't feel the need to save for a rainy day. This is true for our clients too. They've worked so hard. They want to enjoy the profits of their labour. When planning for the future, it's hard to ignore the glaring warnings of our own mortality. This is perhaps why we take the first most accessible retirement plan we find, and let it tick over in the background.  But saving doesn't have to be from a place of fear in what the future holds, you can create a plan that celebrates your success and keeps you solvent long after you've stopped working.  Courtenay Shipley, founder of Retirement Planology is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career helping businesses navigate the retirement landscape in a way that aligns with their values, saves time and makes their money work harder. In this episode, Courtenay and Michael discuss all things retirement, from finding the right plan to essential resources for success. If you are finding yourself in a place of success but aren't sure how to provide yourself and your employees with a plan for the future then this is the episode for you! During this interview, you'll learn... The value of building long-term financial freedom How to effectively plan for the future The importance of sticking to the plan To find out more about Courtenay, click here. Connect with with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps   01:46 - Courtenay discusses her career journey  05:28 - Planning for the future 08:54 - Finding the right fit 13:47 - Sticking to the plan 16:34 - The essentials of a great retirement plan 18:06 - Building your financial freedom 23:23 - Resources that can help you 25:50 - Getting integrated  28:35 - Learning more from Courtenay  This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Payworks! If you're looking for a reliable and affordable payroll platform for your business, look no further! To learn more, visit Payworks.ca TODAY!

“Oftentimes, we're our own worst enemy, and so we listen to the one negative comment or the one negative undertone that someone gives us, and we hold onto that.” -Trixy Castro Every challenge provides an opportunity for growth. A chance to build a mindset of resilience, that will let us face any problem with a mind to solutions. That bias and barriers to success exist, is not in question. What is in question is how we react to them.  We spend far too much time paying attention to the opinions of people who aren't paying our bills. It is time to cut out the noise, get focused and start chasing our goals with everything we have in us. Criticism is important, but we must cultivate the ability to filter out whether it is really something about us that we need to work on, or about someone else wanting us to feel as bad as they do. Trixy Castro, business executive and entrepreneur, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career founding and selling businesses while breaking down every barrier put in her path. She speaks powerfully about the need to build a resilient mindset, embrace challenges as learning experiences and how to get focused on your goals. If you are struggling with negative self-talk, quitting before you've even begun, or after a few bumps in the road, then this is the episode that will set you free of your limiting beliefs and put you on the path to enduring success. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of embracing challenges as learning opportunities How to build a resilient mindset The importance of getting focused on your goals To find out more about Trixy, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:46 - Trixy discusses her career journey  13:35 - The path to success  19:07 - There's always a way around 22:37 - Building a resilience mindset 27:10 - Getting it done

“All of a sudden, the customers no longer perceive us as valuable because we failed to reframe the value that we created. The accountant and the bookkeeper's job should be giving the business owner confidence in their number.” -Hector Garcia For as long as we define our value by our skills alone, we will have to bear the threat of replacement. If all we are communicating to our clients is the completion of tasks that could just as easily be automated, we cannot be surprised that automation seems like a better option.  AI is here to stay. If we don't want to be replaced by it, we have to start reframing what it is our clients are actually paying for. We need to move away from charging for the completion of tasks, towards charging for the relationships and insights we create and offer.  Computers aren't going to steal our jobs, they are going to enhance them by freeing up more of our time to give clients more personal and meaningful services than just fixing their numbers. Hector Garcia, a popular YouTuber and CPA, is this episode's featured guest. In this second half of a two-part series, Michael and Hector discuss the value of doing things differently, and how to build client confidence and stay ahead of the curve.  If you are struggling to innovate, not sure how to get creative with your business or build client confidence, then this is the episode to get you thinking about how to leverage AI rather than be afraid of it.  During this interview, you'll learn... The value of doing things differently How to stay ahead of the curve The importance of building client confidence To find out more about Hector, click here.   Connect with him on LinkedIn, YouTube or X.   Learn more about Hector's Reframe 2024 and Right Tool App.   Click here to listen to Part 1 of this series.   Time Stamps     01:34 - Doing things differently  06:04 - Building client confidence  10:14 - Getting ahead of the curve  19:38 - Can't find the right tool? Build it! 27:17 - Getting started with AI

“Innovation means always doing it differently, always doing it better. Innovation is not always technology; innovation is providing a different point of view to the status quo.”  -Hector Garcia   There will always be people more successful than we are. This is only a problem if we decide it's not worth taking any action to better our lives because we'll never be better than those we idolize. Success doesn't have to mean being the best. Having a healthy, steadily growing business, with loyal clients and dedicated employees is a feat that should be celebrated.    Very few people become well-known overnight, it takes time and the confidence to keep putting yourself out there, even if your numbers are low to start with. The more consistent we are, the faster those numbers begin to rise. Especially when you stop trying to sell people something and start showing them you want to authentically help them.   Hector Garcia, CPA and YouTuber, is this episode's featured guest. In this first of a two-part series, Michael and Hector explore how to successfully market ourselves, the power of an innovation mindset, and why connecting authentically matters.    If you are tired of letting other people's success paralyze you into inaction and want to learn to market yourself better, then this is the episode to get you thinking innovatively about the future of your business.    During this interview, you'll learn... The value of putting yourself out there How to embrace an innovation mindset  The importance of competing against yourself, not others To find out more about Hector, click here.    Connect with Hector on LinkedIn, YouTube or X.   Time Stamps   02:48 - Hector discusses his career journey  08:33 - Transitioning to hands-off business  14:55 - Putting yourself out there 21:49 - Success isn't a zero-sum game This episode is brought to you by our great friends at BILL! BILL automates your clients' AP, AR, spend, and expense, and lets them track and manage their cash flow, in real-time. You can also use the BILL Accountant Console to access insights to level up your advisory services plus so much more! To learn how BILL can help you and your clients, and to sign up for the referral program, visit thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/bill.

“If they don't have the right mindset and the right willingness to adopt the technology, it's just not going to work.”  -Tim Sernett Everyone is different. There will be those who love trying new things and those who are more hesitant to leave their bubble of security. One isn't better than the other, but when it comes to business, you must consider who is best for you and your business. If you are someone who loves new technology, systems and processes, it's probably not the best idea to seek clients who like to be set in their ways and keep things the same. The same is true in the other direction, if you have a tried and tested method, clients that want the latest up-to-date tech as part of your service, aren't going to be a good fit. It's okay, encouraged even, to embrace every kind of new experience you can have, we don't know what we don't know, and time spent searching for that one thing or niche that truly sparks joy is not time wasted.  Tim Sernett of Financial Optics is this episode's featured guest. He has spent his career helping clients not only improve their profits but build peace of mind and future security in their businesses. In this episode, Tim and Michael discuss all things technology and much more!  If you are struggling to serve too many people, to the detriment of your true passions, want to embrace new technologies, or just want to give a little more thought to the future, then this is the episode to get you thinking about what your success could look like.  During this interview, you'll learn... The value of embracing opportunities to gain experience How to find your business niche The importance of seeking out the gaps in your business  To find out more about Tim, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:53 - Tim discusses his career journey  04:27 - Embracing opportunities to gain experience  09:11 - Future forward thinking  12:29 - Seeking out the gaps in your business  17:44 - Finding your niche 23:30 - Bringing your team with you 27:12 - The value of your knowledge and systems

“Nowadays I fire people. I fired one client last month. They didn't even make it two months in. But the way they talked to my staff and scope creep and demanding a lot of things that we never agreed to, I let them go within a month and a half. Where before I would suffer those clients for a year.” -Tyler Otto It is natural when starting a business to want to take any clients, no matter how much they demand of us, or how badly they might treat us. We want to be grateful for something because it is better than nothing. But we don't have to get stuck in this mindset once our work starts to speak for itself. We can increase our price, and remove negatively impacting clients and employees, without feeling guilty or disloyal. The goal for our business is growth and hanging on to things that just aren't working, isn't going to help us grow.  Tyler Otto, President and Owner of Specialty Bookkeeping and Tax, is this episode's featured guest. He has spent his career building systems for business success. In this episode, Tyler and Michael explore learning from past mistakes, getting your people and systems right, and why building strong workplace culture matters. If you aren't sure how to say no to difficult clients, want to hire a strong team, or just develop your company's culture, then this is the episode to get you thinking about what the future could look like when you embrace your growth. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of getting it wrong so you know how to get it right How to roll with the punches The importance of building a strong work culture  To find out more about Tyler, click here. Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn. You can listen to the UNAccountable Podcast at this link. Time Stamps 01:36 - Tyler discusses his career journey 03:05 - Positioning yourself for success 05:16 - Getting it wrong, to get it right 08:36 - Managing problem clients 11:32 - Pricing for your value  16:36 - Rolling with the punches 18:55 - Future thinking 21:43 - Building a strong work culture  27:12 - Setting the rules & sticking to them