“When you surround yourself with people that are either on their way to where you want to go, or are at where you want to go, you’re going to get there because they’ve done it.” –Lisa Campbell We all make excuses. When life gets overwhelming, it’s convenient to shift the pressure and blame away from ourselves. But in doing this, we make it easy to avoid taking difficult but necessary action to improve our lives.   Believing in yourself and being ready to level up can be scary. It involves a lot of time, money, and effort, for an outcome that isn’t guaranteed. But what is guaranteed, is the growth and development of character if you have the courage to stop making excuses and start taking positive action. When you refuse to make excuses and apply all your effort into learning and surrounding yourself with the right people, you’ll go beyond what you thought was possible.    Lisa Campbell, founder of Accelerate 2 Advisor, entrepreneur coach and author of Beyond Bookkeeping, talks today about the importance of taking responsibility for the future of your business, and having the bravery to act when your moment comes. During this interview, you'll learn…  • The value of surrounding yourself with like-minded people  • How to free yourself from an excuse mindset  • The importance of knowing your value & worth Learn more about Lisa here. Explore Accelerate 2 Advisor at this link. Connect to the Accelerate 2 Advisor Community Group by clicking here.   Connect with her on social media: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn   Time Stamps 2:05 - Lisa talks about her recent experiences 4:00 - Investing in transformation 7:10 - Taking the right action to transform your life 11:00 - Taking action vs making excuses 17:25 - Breaking the excuse mindset 23:15 - The rewards of committing to yourself 28:10 - More than ‘just’ a bookkeeper 30:00 - Her masterclass 32:30 - Building a better future

“My work enables my clients to do the things, only they can do.” -Bonnie Low-Kramen Great bookkeepers have a service heart. Their desire to serve others drives them. They are not interested in being in front of the camera, but they are comfortable being behind the scenes and making things happen. The best bookkeepers are proactive and they see around corners and they anticipate and understand the context of their client’s work. When you connect to the idea that you are a subject matter expert that can add unique value to your clients, you will be empowered to price by this value, rather than just by hours ‘worked’. We all have natural talents, but there is nothing stopping us from chasing our dreams by learning new skills that help us better connect with people. If we look at clients only in terms of the money they will pay us, we will never be successful. People remember kindness and will pay for the value real connections bring. Bonnie Low-Kramen, workplace expert, speaker, and author with 25 years of experience as a personal assistant talks about the importance of having the heart for service and how to use your innate and learned skills to create value for your clients that enables them the time, space, and freedom to do the things only they can do.  During this interview, you'll learn… The value of conquering our irrational fears How to price on the value of your service What to do in order to have a harmonious work environment Learn more about Bonnie: Here   Connect with her on social media: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Twitter YouTube   Watch Bonnie’s TED X Talk here. Time Stamps  1:40 - Bonnie discusses her career journey 4:50 - Understanding the role of a PA 8:00 - Adding value to your clients lives 11:50 - Mastering innate & learned skills 16:50 - Creating a harmonious work environment 25:00 - Bonnie talks about women in industry 32:30 - Conquering your fears 38:20 - Bonnie’s talks & workshops 

“You shouldn’t be afraid to ask your question, just go out and ask, because people really want to help each other.”  -Anita Koimur Adapting early to innovation can be a challenge. It can be easy to get comfortable with the way we do things. To take our time and wait and see if the benefits are truly as good as people are saying, before taking the leap ourselves.   There is nothing wrong with taking time for careful consideration. But when you are open to sharing, to talking with others in our industry, to put yourself on the cutting edge of all the latest advances, you reap the benefits collectively.   In this first episode of our Spotlight series that focuses on people who are positively impacting the bookkeeping industry, Anita Koimur, founder of LiveFlow, discusses the value of talking to people, understanding their needs, and relieving their pain points as efficiently as possible. Efficiency that comes from being right at the heart of new developments as they happen. To create the best possible value for yourself and the client. During this interview, you'll learn… The value of sharing with a group to resolve pain points How to get comfortable on the cutting edge of industry innovations The importance of asking what is needed & truly listening to the answers Learn more about LiveFlow here.    Connect with Anita: LinkedIn Twitter   Want to attend the FREE How to Automate Reporting & Become a Trusted Advisor webinar on April 26th mentioned in this episode? SIGN UP HERE! LiveFlow is also offering an incredible deal of 20% off for 3 months for new users. Find out more at this link! Time Stamps         1:40 - Anita talks about her career journey 5:40 - Learning & innovating from customer needs 8:40 - Finding the right service tools for you 9:25 - Overcoming the challenges of a new business 11:50 - Changes in the automation of bookkeeping 15:00 - Getting on the positive side of new trends 18:20 - The value of sharing within the community 20:45 - Best practices in automation 26:50 - Anita talks about LiveFlow 31:20 - Information about the upcoming webinar

“It’s been a great partnership and it’s allowed us to grow in a lot of different ways.” -Lynda Artesani  Partnerships can be really challenging. That’s why it is so important to find people that can match your passion. Skills can always be taught, but finding someone that wants to work as hard as you do, can lead to incredibly fulfilling working partnerships and that can only be a bonus for your bookkeeping business.  When you find your niche, you’re better able to serve those clients with passionate interest, using your unique knowledge and abilities to bring those clients peace of mind. When you find partners that share those interests too, you can really start to scale your business. Lynda Artesani and Sarah Prevost of Artesani Accounting Services talk to Michael about the value of teamwork, the power of respect and communication in building health partnerships and client relationships.  During this interview, you'll learn... The value of respectful & communicative collaboration How to market yourself correctly to the right people The importance of staying healthy on the job Learn more about Artesani Accounting Services at this link. Connect with Lynda: LinkedIn Twitter  Connect with Sarah: LinkedIn  Want to join the Accountant’s Law Lab? Click here. Time Stamps  1:30 - Lynda & Sarah talk about their career journeys 3:50 - Embracing teamwork 5:00 - The challenges of partnership 7:50 - Finding your niche  14:00 - Securing new clients  18:50 - Learning how to price 21:30 - Adapting to innovation 27:00 - Looking to the future  32:30 - Keeping healthy on the job

“Don’t look at what’s the bare minimum you should be doing, look at what’s the furthest you can push yourself.” -Daniel Breez Starting a new bookkeeping business or growing an existing one can be a real challenge. Too many businesses try to be all things to all people. Working more hours but having less to show for it rather than connecting passionately to who it is you really want to help.   It can be tempting to blame other people, to question a lack of success as the fault of someone other than ourselves. When we take responsibility for our own success, we are more likely to push ourselves to greater heights of achievement, rather than doing the bare minimum and blaming others for our lack of conviction.   Once you know who it is you want to serve, and are passionate about them, the clients will come. If you only focus on building systems and processes that serve what you want, the workload will never get any lighter or any easier. When you find your niche, you make it possible to create a business that won’t feel like work.   Daniel Breez, owner of Measured Growth CPA and a Pure Bookkeeping licensee, talks today about the value of personal responsibility, finding your niche and learning how to leverage your strengths.  During this interview, you'll learn… The value of finding a niche you are passionate about How to hire the best & most capable people for the job The importance of personal responsibility Learn more about Measured Growth CPA here.  Check out Daniel’s socials: LinkedIn Instagram Time Stamps        1:50 - Daniel talks about his business journey 4:15 - Finding the right mindset 10:00 - Knowing the right niche for you 14:40 - Getting yourself in the right rooms 17:00 - How Pure Bookkeeping elevated Daniel’s business 20:50 - The right approach to hiring 27:30 - Looking to the future

“My goal is to never be so proud that I think that I can stop learning.” -Paige Hulse Having the knowledge and knowing what to do with it are two very different things. Whether you are just starting out or have been in business for a while. Navigating the legal complexities of business can be tricky! To become successful requires more than just a vision. Whether self-employed or starting a new bookkeeping business, we often have to wear many hats until the business gets off the ground. If you can surround yourself with a network of like-minded people and mentors, you are far more likely to learn time and profit saving techniques to help your business thrive!  Paige Hulse, owner of Paige Hulse Law, talks today about the value of continuous learning, knowing your worth, and offers some great tips on protecting yourself and your bookkeeping business from potential disasters. A little effort to protect your business now, will go a long way towards securing it into the future.  During this interview, you'll learn... The value of separating your personal & business finances Some key legal advice that can help protect your bookkeeping business The importance in finding clients you are passionate to work with  Learn more about Paige here. Looking for contract support? Visit this link. Check out her socials here: Facebook Instagram  Pinterest  Time Stamps  1:40 - Paige talks about her career journey  7:30 - The lightning bolt moment  12:46 - Overcoming obstacles  16:30 - The value of consistent learning  18:10 - Knowing the value of your worth  23:08 - Paige talks about finding the right bookkeeper  28:00 - Piercing the corporate veil  31:00 - Paige offers her legal perspective  39:35 - The importance of confidentiality 

“If I can’t find it myself, I guess I’ll just create it!”  -Jessica Hearsey  Logging in online or heading to an office everyday where you don’t feel valued can be very demoralizing. It is tough to get energized to do a job that lacks vision, clarity, or a sense of purpose.   If you don’t know how valuable you are, how can you communicate it to your clients?   Building a business is never easy, but if you feel passionately about committing to your goals and creating something you truly believe in, the clients will come. When you take the time to understand and truly know your value, people will listen.   Jessica Hearsey, owner of Altitude Accounting, talks this week about the differences between working a job and building a business. By finding the courage to stick to your convictions, you can create the life you dream of. One where people come to you because they believe in what you are doing, not just because they need something done.  During this interview, you'll learn… The value of creating your own vision rather than waiting for someone else’s How to tear down mental barriers & act with conviction The difference between working a job and building a business  Learn more about Altitude Accounting here.   Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 1:42 - Jessica talks about her career journey 8:16 - Being your own mentor 9:40 - The hurdles of a new business 11:30 - Building a business not a job 16:33 - Committing to your goals 19:25 - Adapting to an ever-changing market 23:18 - Knowing your value 27:50 - Finding your conviction 32:10 - Tearing down mental barriers 34:10 - The challenges of the future 

“If you put five bookkeepers in a room, and give them the same set of books, you’re going to come out with five different ways of doing things.”  -Jenn Green Life isn’t always smooth sailing. We will all face unforeseen challenges that can rock the foundations of our careers and lives.   How well we bounce back is entirely dependent on our willingness to keep trying. To take time to learn new skills, attend seminars, workshops and training that make you a better bookkeeper. If you find yourself in a lull, unsure about how to proceed then this is the episode for you. When you connect with your purpose, you’ll better understand what value you bring to your clients, and so, be able to price accordingly. Rather than reacting, you’ll be able to take a proactive approach driven by value and quality, not an hourly rate.   How can you expect your clients to value you if you don’t value yourself?   Jenn Green, owner of Bookminders Full-Service Bookkeeping, talks today about bouncing back after difficult and challenging times, the value of a strong, learning focused mindset, and how to set your prices based on the value you add, not the hours you work. During this interview, you'll also learn… How to build a successful business with the right pricing How to identify the ideal learning tools for you The importance of effective communication  Learn more about Jenn at this link.   Contact her directly at [email protected]. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 1:15 - Jenn talks about her career journey 2:40 - Navigating peaks & valleys 8:55 - Bringing the right people in 11:00 - Jenn talks about the impact of effective processes 15:15 - Recovering from Covid losses 17:25 - Marketing yourself confidently 22:20 - Setting your price 25:15 - Finding the right programs for you 29:10 - Changing our mindset 34:10 - Creating exponential growth

“Uncommon services command uncommon prices.”  –Ron Baker   Building relationships with our clients can be complicated. It can be really tempting to measure success by the number of clients or billable hours we manage to cram into a month. And yet, so many of us are left feeling overwhelmed, overworked, underpaid, and not living up to our true potential and purpose.   Shifting from an hourly rate to a value-based pricing structure is a big move. Even bigger is recognizing your worth in relation to the subscription economy and pricing based on your relationship with your client.   When you connect with the idea that you can charge a premium for giving a few select clients consistent peace of mind. It will wash away the belief that success is a client roster so full, no single client ever gets the best of you.   Ron Baker is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur, with a passion for values-based pricing. On today’s episode Ron talks about creating lifetime customer value and the importance of pricing based on achieving customers needs, not billable hours.  During this interview, you'll learn… How to price on your relationship with your clients The value of tailoring your services to a niche market The importance of purpose & position driven pricing  Learn more about Ron here.   Follow him on Twitter and connect with him on LinkedIn. On March 22nd, you can watch him speak at the Convert with Value workshop series. You can register for this free event at this link. Time Stamps  2:00 - Ron talks about the subscription economy 6:20 - Adapting to innovation 9:12 - Pricing the customer, not the work 11:24 - Transforming your clients on a deeper level 18:35 - Overcoming the mental hurdles of subscription pricing 22:15 - Setting your price by relationship 28:55 - Putting a price on peace of mind 31:05 - The value of an uncommon offering 36:04 - Tailoring your services to a niche 37:55 - Convert with Value workshop 39:00 - Crafting your options for pricing 42:25 - Getting in touch with Ron      

“It’s like a garden. You’re planting a lot of different seeds, and they’re all going to grow at different rates. Don’t forget to water!” -Kerri Thompson All too often we let the fear of losing our paycheck keep us stuck in the same jobs and the same patterns. Making changes to our situation can be difficult, but it becomes immeasurably easier when we realize we don’t have to do it alone. Everyone that has ever achieved any kind of success, did so with the help and support of friends and mentors. Why should you suffer alone?   When you surround yourself with the right people, people that support and motivate you, it becomes far easier to identify and follow the threads that will weave the tapestry of a successful career!   Kerri Thompson, owner of Simpler Transitions, talks about the importance of Mental Fitness. How adjusting our negative thought patterns and behaviors leads to greater success. Highlighting the need to help people rather than just try to sell to them. When you can pause your negative thinking, it gives you the chance to lay a new path, a better and more successful one. One that will let you build a successful bookkeeping business with ease.  During this interview, you'll learn… How mental fitness can shape your road map to success How to identify & overcome self-sabotaging thoughts The importance of finding the right support network Learn more about Kerri here. Contact her directly at [email protected].   Follow Kerri on LinkedIn. You can sign up for her 8-week mindset course at this link.  Also, if you sign up for our Successful Bookkeeper Community portal (click here) then unlock our Successful Bookkeeper Summit recordings, you can access a chat with Kerri Thompson and Connie Kadansky about building your ideal business with positivity. Click this link to find the conversation. Time Stamps        1:50 - Kerri talks about her career journey 6:30 - Discovering our own unique ways of selling 10:00 - Planting the seed of connection 13:40 - Overcoming limitations 19:08 - Unlocking our potential 24:30 - Experimenting with mental fitness 37:25 - Developing Positive Intelligence  One of our partners for this week’s episode is Synder. It’s a software solution that can save you from doing manual data entry from multiple sales channels, and automatically generate an accurate P&L report, balance sheet, and inventory management for your bookkeeping business needs. Use coupon code EASY BOOKS for up to 40% off. Learn more here.

“Are we putting something into motion that we wouldn’t want to sit through?” –Scott Allen   Tired of feeling like you aren’t winning the best bookkeeping clients? It’s time to take an honest inventory on the kind of impression you are presenting to them.   Attention spans have never been shorter, and expectations have never been higher. You have to know what you want the audience to feel and do, and then communicate that message in a way that keeps it stuck in their minds.   Scott Allen, an associate professor at John Carroll University who is also a communications coach, author, and entrepreneur. And Maria Soriano Young, a communications manager for the Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic, are this week’s featured guests!   Together they talk about the importance of planning for the right outcomes. How to design your first impressions, to win clients and leave your audience wanting more. If you are struggling to design attention grabbing presentations that keep people interested, this is the episode for you! During this interview, you'll learn… How to plan for the right outcomes by curating your client’s experience How to ensure your message lives on in your client’s mind The importance of a good first impression & how to make it last You can buy their book here.  You can also read their blog and listen to their podcast. Check out Scott's socials: Twitter LinkedIn   Maria’s socials: LinkedIn Twitter Captovation’s socials: LinkedIn Twitter Time Stamps        1:45 - Maria & Scott talk about their career journey 4:44 - What makes a good presentation 10:11 - Discussing the pitfalls of poor presentations 14:30 - Curating & presenting the right self-image 16:00 - Creating a background that speaks to your clients 23:00 - Audience centered design 28:40 - The keys to getting your message across 31:50 - Nurturing your relationships from start to finish 36:40 - Resources that can help you! One of our partners for this week’s episode is Synder. It’s a software solution that can save you from doing manual data entry from multiple sales channels, and automatically generate an accurate P&L report, balance sheet, and inventory management for your bookkeeping business needs. Use coupon code EASY BOOKS for up to 40% off. Learn more here.

“You can succeed in any economy if you have the right business model and the drive to make it work.”  -Bruce Gerstenfeld   Making changes to your life is scary. But facing your fears and taking a chance has to be better than spending your life making money for other people, never really having time for yourself or your loved ones. It is never too late to make a positive change!   Our failures are only failures if we don’t act on and grow from the lessons they have to teach us. Take charge of your dreams by finding your passion. That self-motivating driving force that will propel you towards success.   Bruce Gerstenfeld is a CPA and partner in Gerstenfeld and Company. On this week's episode, he talks about the importance of finding the story behind the numbers, and helping clients get command of their time, energy and intention to chase their dreams.  During this interview, you'll also learn… How to turn your bookkeeping dreams into a reality How to manage career transitions, innovations & challenges The importance of taking command of your calendar   Learn more about Bruce here.  Email Gerstenfeld & Company at [email protected]. Check out Bruce’s socials: LinkedIn Facebook  Time Stamps 1:40 - Bruce talks about his career move into bookkeeping 3:40 - Making the most of your time 9:00 - Finding your driving force 12:18 - Learning from our mistakes 15:40 - Managing career transitions 17:58 - Finding your passion 19:00 - Learning to command your calendar 24:30 - Facing the challenges of innovation 29:00 - Bruce talks about the value of Accelerate 2 Advisor 35:00 - Bruce talks about his love for Xero 42:50 - Investing in the right programs for you One of our partners for this week’s episode is Synder. It’s a software solution that can save you from doing manual data entry from multiple sales channels, and automatically generate an accurate P&L report, balance sheet, and inventory management for your bookkeeping business needs. Use coupon code EASY BOOKS for up to 40% off. Learn more here.

“You cannot cut your way to greatness.” -Mark Wickersham Knowing your worth and setting prices that reflect that can be extremely challenging. Every new client you take on at the wrong price will make your life harder. If you are tired of working crazy long hours and still feeling like your financial security needs aren’t being met, this is the episode for you. When we shift our mindset away from hourly rates and into value building, it can dramatically alter your business’ profitably and future. Focusing only on what we can cut to make savings, is a limited approach in comparison to the potential for unlimited growth when we know what value we bring to our clients and price accordingly.   Mark Wickersham, a chartered accountant, author and public speaker, discusses the importance of investing in ourselves to create value and opportunities by shifting our mindset to one of growth and possibility. Once you get focused on the best end result for your clients, you’ll wonder why you were ever charging hourly in the first place. During this interview, you'll learn… How to increase sales rather than rely on cutting costs How to change your mindset from focusing on cost to a focusing on value The importance of getting your pricing right Learn more about Mark here. Use coupon code LAST25 to get 25% off your ticket for Mark’s Profitable Bookkeeping Conference that begins on February 22nd. Visit this website for more details.  Check out Mark’s Socials: LinkedIn Facebook YouTube Twitter Instagram   Time Stamps 1:47 - What drives profit 6:00 - The entrepreneurial mindset 11:00 - Investing in the right tools and training 15:40 - Pricing on value 21:25 - How do I grow my top line? 25:40 - The power of the price lever 28:50 - Overcoming the ‘cost’ mentality 32:10 - Building value for ourselves builds it for others 33:06 - The Profitable Bookkeeping Conference 

“I don’t have to take this client. I get to choose who I want to work with. And who is going to be a good fit for my business.” -Beth Blaney We all want to build a better life for ourselves, one that gives us the freedom and flexibility to live the way we want to.   When you live authentically, you generate authenticity in others. So much time is wasted chasing clients that aren’t the right fit or trying to change ourselves to fit molds we weren’t made for. If you are tired of feeling guilty about balancing your obligations, this is the episode for you.   Beth Blaney, owner of BBA Bookkeeping, talks about her experiences breaking the mold, escaping traditional ideas of what a bookkeeper looks and sounds like, to create an incredibly successful business. Her message is one of empowerment, of being authentically you, and chasing your dreams. During this interview, you'll learn… How the right support systems can make or break your business How to empower yourself to find the right niche & clients for you The importance of liking what you do & putting the work in Learn more about Beth here. To book your FREE spot for the Accelerator Method Masterclass Series beginning on February 11th at 4pm Eastern, visit this website.   Check out Beth’s Socials: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Pinterest Twitter   Time Stamps 2:25 - Beth reflects on her bookkeeping journey 9:10 - Recognizing when it’s time to grow 11:10 - Finding the right niche 15:20 - The struggles & breakthroughs 20:15 - Making the most of your natural talents 25:45 - Overcoming areas of challenge 27:15 - The journey to Accelerate 2 Advisor 33:30 - The benefits of Pure Bookkeeping 36:30 - Balancing work & personal responsibilities 43:00 - Manifesting destiny! 

“These systems allow us to be better for our clients. Let’s do it different, let’s do it better!” -Emily Tarney Innovation can be challenging in the short term, but so worth it when you start to see results. When you are able to apply the right systems and processes, they free you up to focus on doing what you do best! Finding like minded people will help you learn and grow in a more supportive environment. Every bookkeeper has unique talents that are better applied to some clients over others. Making and retaining client relationships is about far more than a need for their business. It’s about building connections that truly help serve your clients' purpose. Emily Tarney, creator, and head of Competitive Edge Business Solutions, talks about her vast experience in the bookkeeping industry and the importance of embracing change and challenging ourselves to do things differently. Her approach focuses on working passionately and purposefully to be more than just a bookkeeper. To be a champion of your clients' vision. During this interview, you'll learn… How to get comfortable doing things a different way by embracing innovation How to create a mindset focused on abundance, not scarcity and competition The importance of finding the right fit between bookkeeper & client  Learn more about Emily here. To book your FREE spot for the Accelerator Method Masterclass Series beginning on February 11th at 4pm Eastern, visit this website.   Check out Emily’s socials: LinkedIn Twitter Time Stamps 1:33 - Emily talks about her career journey 3:50 - The obstacles of being an entrepreneur 4:30 - Emily reflects on her career milestones 7:30 - Accelerate 2 Advisor & Pure Bookkeeping 14:50 - Emily’s advice for people questioning their business 19:24 - Planning our lives before others plan them for us 21:25 - Emily discusses her vision for the future  26:10 - How to engage with prospective clients positively! 31:10 - Finding the courage to keep going 

“Does it need to be done right or does it need to be done by you?” -Jamie Van Cuyk Imagine what you might be able to accomplish if you surrounded yourself with the right people. Learning to let go of our desire to do everything ourselves, can unlock an organization’s true potential. So many businesses struggle to find the right employees because their focus has become too narrow. Shaking the bonds of our set ways can be tough, but if we don’t, we’ll always be doing more than we need to. Jamie Van Cuyk, a small business consultant who owns Growing Your Team, talks about overcoming the challenges of hiring the right help, at the right time. Her approach enables businesses to let go of the idea that only they can maintain their processes effectively. Helping them instead to find the right people, which saves time, services more customers and increases profitability. During this interview, you'll learn... How to build processes you can trust while being open to innovation The importance of good training & trusting your employees to get it done How to let go, so your business can grow! Learn more about Jamie here. You can listen to her Growing Your Team Podcast at this link. Check out her socials: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram Pinterest Time Stamps 1:14 - Jamie’s Journey 3:40 - The struggles of hiring 4:55 - The difficulties of growing your team 7:10 - Learning to let go & trust your processes 12:33 - Getting out of our own way 13:40 - The Stair-Step approach 18:50 - Humility in the face of innovation 23:30 - Knowing the right time to hire 27:30 - Jamie answers the important questions 30:35 - Knowing the right person for you 33:00 - The pros & cons of personality tests 35:40 - The focus of Grow Your Team

“We are their shields and protectors.” - Janet Mercredi By putting the right systems in place, financial security, fun and freedom are natural results. When you connect with others and learn to be open to guidance and support, successful business planning becomes much easier. Putting in the work is critical, but so is having a plan that sets systems working for you. Janet Mercredi, certified Profit First professional and business coach, talks about the action steps she put in place to overcome her insecurities, create a thriving bookkeeping business, and go on to coach others to achieve their dreams. During this interview, you'll learn... How to navigate the ups & downs of creating a successful bookkeeping enterprise How to design your own winning ticket for success The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and resources Learn more about Janet here. To book a call with her, click this link. To send an email, contact her at [email protected]. Check out her socials: Facebook LinkedIn Time Stamps 2:00 - Janet’s career journey 4:00 - A change in direction 7:11 - The search for a better way 9:18 - Janet talks about the positive shifts in her business 12:14 - Creating our own success 14:00 - Accelerate to advisor 17:51 - The up’s and the down’s 20:30 - Janet talks about the importance of connection 23:00 - From bookkeeping to coaching 29:20 - The entrepreneurial myth 33:00 - Janet talks about the rewards of her journey

Networking and sales. For any introverted bookkeeper, those two things can sound daunting and terrifying. This week’s guest understands that because he’s an introvert too, but he didn’t let that stop him from achieving his greatness. Matthew Pollard, who is the founder and CEO of Rapid Growth LLC and the author of The Introvert’s Edge To Networking, discovered that being an introvert didn’t make him a second class citizen. He realized he had advantages over extroverts which ultimately made him a success. During this interview, you'll learn... The importance of having a sales system How having a niche & storytelling can help make selling easier Why bookkeepers should stop believing they need to be an extrovert to be good at networking & sales Connect with Matthew on LinkedIn. To learn more about him, visit his website.  To get the first chapter of The Introvert’s Edge To Networking for free, click here.  Time Stamps 1:17 - About Matthew’s career & his discovery that he could be an introvert & successful salesperson 14:01 - How introverts can survive in sales despite the belief that it’s an extrovert arena 17:03 - The importance of having a networking and sales system 21:00 - Why you should differentiate yourself 21:48 - The power of storytelling when selling 34:46 - Don’t make excuses, find a mentor & start learning

Welcome to 2022! We hope you had a great holiday season. This week we are revisiting our awesome panel of bookkeepers for part two of our Year-In-Review! We are joined by a terrific bookkeeping panel who will share what they have learned in 2021. They talk about what strategies worked, what strategies failed and what they will carry into the new year as they plan for the future. Our panel includes: Debbie Roberts - Co-Founder of Pure Bookkeeping & Co-Author of E-Myth Bookkeeper  Julie Watson - Director of Bookkeeping Relief Business Services & Australian Pure Bookkeeping licensee Jessica Fox -  Founder of Florida Virtual Bookkeeper & American Pure Bookkeeping licensee Teresa Slack - Co-Founder of Financly & Canadian Pure Bookkeeping licensee Katrina Aarsman - CEO of Pure Bookkeeping Australia During this interview, you'll learn... The best strategies & industry trends of 2021 What they have learned from failure & what they will bring into the new year Their envisioned plans for their businesses in 2022  Listen to The Successful Bookkeeper Year-In-Review Show! Part 1 here.   Time Stamps 1:45 - Strategies that led to great results in 2021 5:54 - Failed approaches & what to do better in the year ahead 19:45 - Biggest industry trends 31:01 - Plans for their businesses in 2022

With 2022 right around the corner, it is time to reflect on what we have learned this year and plan for the year ahead. We are joined by an amazing bookkeeping panel who recount their biggest surprises, greatest setbacks and most heartwarming stories of the year.  Our panel includes: Debbie Roberts - Co-Founder of Pure Bookkeeping & Co-Author of E-Myth Bookkeeper  Julie Watson - Director of Bookkeeping Relief Business Services & Australian Pure Bookkeeping licensee Jessica Fox -  Founder of Florida Virtual Bookkeeper & American Pure Bookkeeping licensee Teresa Slack - Co-Founder of Financly & Canadian Pure Bookkeeping licensee Katrina Aarsman - CEO of Pure Bookkeeping Australia During this interview, you'll learn... The biggest surprises of 2021 How our panel dealt with the stress of working during the pandemic The important role the bookkeeping community played in enabling resilience & preventing isolation Don’t miss next week’s Year-In-Review episode, Part 2,  where our panel will discuss what strategies led to great results in 2021!   Time Stamps 3:20 - The biggest surprise of 2021 16:34 - Setbacks of this year 19:14 - Heartwarming stories of the year 26:18 - Heartbreaks of 2021

What makes a great leader? Yes, there are many traits including when someone desires and is committed to making a positive impact in her organization. Our guest knows something about this. Jean Latting is the president of Leading Consciously, an organization that provides clients practical, sustainable solutions to flourish in diverse, multicultural settings and help leaders identify their strengths and weaknesses to maximize their potential.  She joins us this week to talk about how bookkeepers can establish better community-building practices and gives advice on how to empower leaders with patience and resilience to improve communication and enable inclusion. During this interview, you'll learn... What it means to be a change leader How to empower people to inspire real impact Why patience is important in communication Connect with Jean on LinkedIn. Learn more about Leading Consciously & the Pathfinders Program on their website and Facebook page. Time Stamps 1:30 - Jean’s career journey 8:17 - Empowering people to become leaders of change 25:30 - Why having support networks can help you be more patient & less reactive 28:52 - Working with multicultural communities

The power of realizing that you are enough. That mindset shift is profoundly powerful & can enable incredible growth in your business. Leveraging the support of coaches or mentors can help you begin to break down mindset barriers & develop a clearer business trajectory.  Kristy Fairbairn, founder of The Business Oasis & Pure Bookkeeping licensee, joins us this week to talk about her journey becoming a bookkeeping business owner. She shares her experience working with mentors & coaches and how it has helped grow her business.  During this interview, you'll learn... The difference between a mentor & a coach  Why it’s important to invest in yourself as a business owner How changing your mindset can help develop your business Connect with Kristy on LinkedIn. Learn more about The Business Oasis on their website and Facebook page.   Time Stamps 1:41 - Kristy’s career journey 10:15 - Getting the support of mentors & coaches and how that has contributed to her personal & professional development 23:39 - The mindset shift that changed her bookkeeping business

Most bookkeeping business owners have very busy schedules. But what if that busyness is costing you business?  Our guest this week breaks down the dangers of busyness and how it can impact our creativity & ability to do deep work.  We are joined by Juliet Funt, CEO of the Juliet Funt Group, a training and consulting firm that helps organizations, their leaders and employees flip the norms of business in order to reclaim their creativity, productivity, and engagement. She is also the author of “A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness and Do Your Best Work”. She explains the benefits of a Results-Only work environment & shares with us valuable tips on how business owners can start to regain control of their time. During this interview, you'll learn... The importance of time sketching & ensuring you have time between meetings How to move toward a zero notification lifestyle  Why you should consider an interval schedule for checking your e-mail Connect with Juliet on LinkedIn. Learn more about Juliet Funt Group here. Buy her book, A Minute to Think here.   Time Stamps  1:51 - Juliet’s career journey 6:05 - How busy-ness can cost you business 11:17 - Why we are not living in a 9 to 5 world anymore 13:09 - How Juliet created a results-only work environment 18:46 - Coaching demonstration - becoming the architect of your own time

Inspiration & resilience. These are two essential ingredients that enable entrepreneurs to adapt & thrive in the face of adversity. Our guest this week knows that going through difficult times can be profoundly transformational. Stephanie Kelcey, owner of Capture Bookkeeping Inc, joins us this week to share her journey as a bookkeeping business owner and to talk about how a critical illness changed her life & her business.  During this interview, you'll learn... Stephanie’s journey as a business owner The mindset shift every new entrepreneur needs to make  How she found inspiration in her darkest moments Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn. Learn more about Capture Bookkeeping Inc on their website. Check out Lisa Campbell’s Accelerate 2 Advisor program here. A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT for Successful Bookkeeper podcast listeners!! Join us December 2nd, 2021 at The Successful Bookkeeper Summit - a two-day free virtual event featuring inspiring speakers from the bookkeeping, accounting and business worlds!  To save your free spot, CLICK HERE.   Time Stamps 2:57 - Stephanie’s career journey  7:46 - Shifting from a mindset of an employee to the mindset of an owner 13:54 - Making the decision to keep running her business while battling cancer 18:39 - How critical illness inspired her to improve her business 31:30 - Taking Lisa Campbell’s Accelerate 2 Advisor program & how it changed her business

The hesitation to initiate with potential clients. Many business owners and entrepreneurs struggle with this self-imposed barrier. It is a fear preventing otherwise talented salespeople from recognizing and promoting their value to prospective buyers. Our guest this week is a recognized sales expert who is focused on tackling sales call reluctance. For the last 25 years, she has trained and coached thousands of sales professionals in hundreds of companies, large & small. A noted authority on sales productivity, Connie Kadansky joins us this week to talk about how to break free from mental habits that conspire to keep us from being successful.  During this interview, you'll learn... How to identify sales call reluctance  The 4-step system to overcome it Ways to shift your mindset & leverage your strengths to grow your business Connect with Connie on LinkedIn. Learn more about Exceptional Sales Performance on their website. Take the sales call reluctance assessment here. A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT for Successful Bookkeeper podcast listeners!! Join us December 2nd, 2021 at The Successful Bookkeeper Summit - a two-day free virtual event featuring inspiring speakers from the bookkeeping, accounting and business worlds!  To save your free spot, CLICK HERE. Time Stamps 1:52 - Connie’s career journey 3:56 - Shifting your mindset to overcome sales call reluctance 12:28 - Four steps to grow your business: Step 1 - Bringing awareness to your strengths & measuring your costs 15:22 - Step 2 - Assessing your call reluctance 20:26 - Step 3 - Admitting your vulnerability 26:27 - Step 4 - Apply proven techniques

Being present is the key to balancing work and home life. When you’re working, be present and fully engaged in your work. When it’s time to be with family and clock out from the work day, give your full attention and focus to them. This week we are joined by Andrew Royer, owner of Royer Accounting, longtime Pure Bookkeeping licensee & return guest on our show. He shares updates on his business and explains how he made the decision to move to a fully virtual working environment. Small bookkeeping business owners are familiar with the challenges of working from home. After 5 years of running his own company, he shares what he’s learned from the journey. During this interview, you'll learn... Why balancing your work and home life is key for any business owner How to transition from working in an office to working remotely Tips for new business owners & entrepreneurs Connect with Andrew on LinkedIn. Learn more about his business Royer Accounting on their website. Listen to past podcasts episodes with Andrew: EP84: Improve Your Productivity & Work-Life Balance and EP208: What You Need To Know About Running A Successful Business A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT for Successful Bookkeeper podcast listeners!! Join us December 2nd, 2021 at The Successful Bookkeeper Summit - a two-day free virtual event featuring inspiring speakers from the bookkeeping, accounting and business worlds! Teresa is part of this incredible lineup and will be speaking about e-commerce. To save your free spot, CLICK HERE.   Time Stamps 1:15 - An update on Andrew  5:12 - How to balance being a business owner and a parent 8:55 - Transitioning his business from in-office to working fully remotely 17:21 - Looking back on the five years of running his own business - challenges, changes & lessons learned 20:46 - Advice for a new business owner 26:00 - Andrew’s strategy for working at home 29:52 - Making the leap to start your own business

Real connections matter. Courtney DeRonde is managing partner and director of business development at TDT CPAs & Advisors. She has 19 years experience in public accounting and serves on the firm's executive committee and leadership team.  She joins us this week to share her career journey and talk about networking as an introvert, how a mindset shift can open up new connections & how to manage burnout as a business leader.   During this interview, you'll learn... How to sustain connections & relationships when working virtually Ways to deal with burnout as a business leader Why managing your energy is more important than managing your time Connect with Courtney on LinkedIn. Learn more about TDT CPAs & Advisors on their website. A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT for Successful Bookkeeper podcast listeners!! Join us December 2nd, 2021 at The Successful Bookkeeper Summit - a two-day free virtual event featuring inspiring speakers from the bookkeeping, accounting and business worlds! Teresa is part of this incredible lineup and will be speaking about e-commerce. To save your free spot, CLICK HERE.   Time Stamps 1:50 - Courtney’s career journey  4:53 - Working in business development & sales as an introvert 9:01 - Why building relationships is key to unlocking networking opportunities 15:32 - Maintaining close client relationships in a virtual environment 19:04 - The biggest obstacle she faced as a business leader 29:36 - Working with bookkeeping firms

Side hustles. They may begin small, but they have the potential to become thriving, lucrative businesses & can become your main source of income. Bookkeeping business owners understand this - many bookkeepers start their own business first as a side hustle to their main job before transforming it into their main focus. How can a side hustle be turned into a successful business? This week’s guest is Nick Loper, founder of SideHustleNation.com, author of $1000 100 Ways: How Real People Make Real Money on the Side & host of The Side Hustle Show podcast. He joins us to talk about how to transform your side hustle into your full-time job. During this interview, you'll learn... Strategies to manage a side hustle & full-time job Hurdles for side hustles & how to overcome them How bringing creativity to what you do everyday can help you turn your side hustle into a primary source of income Connect with Nick on LinkedIn. Learn more about Side Hustle Nation on their website. Check out the Side Hustle Show podcast here. Buy his book $1000 100 Ways: How Real People Make Real Money on the Side (and how you can too) here. A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT for Successful Bookkeeper podcast listeners!! Join us December 2nd, 2021 at The Successful Bookkeeper Summit - a two-day free virtual event featuring inspiring speakers from the bookkeeping, accounting and business worlds! Teresa is part of this incredible lineup and will be speaking about e-commerce. To save your free spot, CLICK HERE. Time Stamps 2:59 - Nick’s career journey  5:57 - Obstacles he faced as an entrepreneur 11:53 - Biggest hurdles for side hustles 21:15 - Finding the courage to transform your side hustle to your full-time hustle 32:28 - How his book, $1,000 100 Ways, can help bookkeeping business owners get creative

Getting paid. This is a crucial aspect of every small business, but it is not always easy to get clients to pay their invoices. Too often do bookkeeping business owners suffer because of late & non-payments. All businesses need that extra cash flow to help them be more innovative, to hire the right staff & to expand their client base. Lee-Anne Scott, founder of Intelligent Revenue, joins us this week to talk about the impact that the late-payment culture has on small businesses & shares how to break out of the cycle of unpaid invoices to keep your business growing. During this interview, you'll learn... Why the late-payment culture is so dangerous for small businesses How to get over the fear of collection & ensure that invoices are paid Ways that Intelligent Revenue is helping business owners use data & intelligence to have better credit control Connect with Lee-Anne on LinkedIn. Learn more about Intelligent Revenue on their website. A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT for Successful Bookkeeper podcast listeners!! Join us December 2nd, 2021 at The Successful Bookkeeper Summit - a two-day free virtual event featuring inspiring speakers from the bookkeeping, accounting and business worlds! Teresa is part of this incredible lineup and will be speaking about e-commerce. To save your free spot, CLICK HERE.    Time Stamps 1:39 - Lee-Anne’s career journey 3:01 - Obstacles she faced as an entrepreneur 4:53 - How unpaid invoices inspired the creation of Intelligent Revenue 11:54 - The late-payment culture & how the pandemic made it worse 18:49 - How Intelligent Revenue helps to solve this problem

Mindset is the foundation for everything we do. Successful entrepreneurs have strong, empowering mindsets. Julia Pimsleur shares her insights around how mentality can be a deciding factor in the success of a business.  Her latest book, Go Big Now, highlights eight essential mindset practices that anyone can use to achieve ambitious professional and life goals. She is a scaling coach & entrepreneur with a passion for helping women grow their businesses. She shares practices from her book & discusses the crucial importance of building mindset strength. During this interview, you'll learn... Why your mentality matters How to shift your mindset to overcome limiting beliefs Tips on how to own your value Learn more about Julia on her website Connect with her on LinkedIn Buy her book Go Big Now: 8 Essential Mindset Practices to Overcome Any Obstacle and Reach Your Goals here Learn more about Million Dollar Women here A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT for Successful Bookkeeper podcast listeners!! Join us December 2nd, 2021 at The Successful Bookkeeper Summit - a two-day free virtual event featuring inspiring speakers from the bookkeeping, accounting and business worlds! Teresa is part of this incredible lineup and will be speaking about e-commerce. To save your free spot, CLICK HERE.    Time Stamps 1:43 - Julia’s career journey 8:45 - Changing your mindset by knowing what’s at stake 14:31 - The Go Big mindset & breaking free from limiting beliefs 24:07 - What all successful people have in common from a mindset perspective 31:39 - How to own your value

“The education mindset just has to be a part of your DNA these days.” That is what our guest this week says about how bookkeeping businesses can stay on top of emerging technology trends.  Robbie Randall, Partner Development Manager with the Intuit accountants channel and a regular contributor to Firm of the Future and Tax Pro Center blogs, joins us this week to talk about how cloud computing is transforming businesses of all sizes. He discusses how technology continues to shape and change the way we do business.  During this interview, you'll learn... How businesses have managed their transition to cloud Benefits of artificial intelligence & machine learning in accounting platforms like QuickBooks Online The importance of continuous learning & staying current on the latest technological innovations Connect with Robbie on LinkedIn Learn more about QuickBooks Connect here.   A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT for Successful Bookkeeper podcast listeners!! Join us December 2nd, 2021 at The Successful Bookkeeper Summit - a two-day free virtual event featuring inspiring speakers from the bookkeeping, accounting and business worlds! Teresa is part of this incredible lineup and will be speaking about e-commerce. To save your free spot, CLICK HERE.    Time Stamps 2:42 - Robbie’s career journey 9:49 - Common challenges faced by large and small businesses during the pandemic 12:35 - Transitioning businesses to cloud & remote capabilities 17:37 - Artificial Intelligence and machine learning in QuickBooks Online & QuickBooks Online Accountant

How can I make things more valuable and useful for my clients? A central question for all bookkeeping business owners alike. Teresa Slack is the co-founder of Financly, a Pure Bookkeeping licensee and valued member of the Pure Bookkeeping community.  She joins us this week to talk about client onboarding, an often overlooked process that when structured correctly can be a powerful tool to build strong relationships with your clients and grow trust early.  During this interview, you'll learn... The importance of onboarding processes Critical areas to consider when onboarding new clients How to use pre-onboarding to maximize client trust  Connect with Teresa on LinkedIn. Learn more about Financly by visiting their website. A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT for Successful Bookkeeper podcast listeners!! Join us December 2nd, 2021 at The Successful Bookkeeper Summit - a two-day free virtual event featuring inspiring speakers from the bookkeeping, accounting and business worlds! Teresa is part of this incredible lineup and will be speaking about e-commerce. To save your free spot, CLICK HERE.  Time Stamps 03:23 - Updates on Teresa’s business, Financly 11:42 - The importance of client onboarding and what you can do to improve your clients’ experience 21:02 - Documenting your processes to help you improve them 23:25 - How long should it should take to onboard clients 24:25 - Pre-onboarding clients & three things you should consider

The biggest driver of success is your mindset. Owner of She Thinks Big Coaching, Geraldine is a business strategist and coach for CPAs. Her passion is empowering business owners to unleash their full potential. She joins us this week to talk about what a successful mindset looks like, and shares tips on how to grow your business. During this interview, you'll learn... Why it’s important to get into your clients’ shoes to really understand their needs How your mindset could be stunting your business’ growth Why focusing on outcomes versus deliverables is a better marketing strategy Learn more about Geraldine on her website. Connect with her on LinkedIn. A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT for Successful Bookkeeper podcast listeners!! Join us December 2nd, 2021 at The Successful Bookkeeper Summit - a two-day free virtual event featuring inspiring speakers from the bookkeeping, accounting and business worlds! To save your free spot, CLICK HERE.  Time Stamps 1:50 - Geraldine’s career journey & challenges she faces as a small business owner 5:20 - Taking an empathetic approach to understanding your customers’ needs 13:34 - The thinking rut that bookkeepers can get trapped in 30:02 - How the positive power of being fed up can help steer you in the right direction

What makes a customer return to your business? As bookkeeping business owners, this is a question that is always on our minds.  Returning guest Shep Hyken is a customer service expert, keynote speaker & author of his new book I'll Be Back: How to Get Customers to Come Back Again & Again.  He joins us this week to discuss how customer service has changed over time, and shares practical tips on how to develop an in-depth understanding of your customers. During this interview, you'll learn... The importance of balancing digital and human customer service Why you should be paying attention to your customers’ behaviour How to use Shep’s 6-step process to create an experience that your clients will remember Visit Shep’s website to learn more. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Facebook. To buy his book, I'll Be Back: How to Get Customers to Come Back Again & Again, click here. E-mail your receipt to [email protected] to get a free copy of The Successful Bookkeeper shipped to your door!   Time Stamps 3:27 - How the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted customer service 9:42 - Why balancing the digital and human aspects of customer service is crucial for small businesses 14:20 - The importance of understanding the behaviour of your customers 20:06 - The 6-step process of creating a customer experience that will keep them coming back

Exhausted. Entrepreneurs and business owners alike struggle with burnout. The physical and mental toll of working nonstop can have serious effects on your health.  Our guest this week is Amber Hawley, a group psychotherapy practice owner, host of My Biz Bestie podcast and mother of three. She works with entrepreneurs on the emotional side of business - how to prevent burnout, manage ADHD, and find work-life balance.  During this interview, you'll learn... The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on well-being How to spot burnout & build habits to prevent it The vital importance of sleep for stress management  Find out more about Amber on her website. Learn about her My Biz Bestie podcast here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 2:00 - About Amber Hawley 3:29 - Obstacles she overcame growing her own business 5:45 - Supporting people with ADHD & how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted her clients  8:09 - Burnout signs, symptoms & strategies 17:22 - The importance of sleep & its relationship with stress 22:30 - How to get more sleep

First impressions. Bookkeeping business owners know that establishing a meaningful relationship with their customers is paramount for long-lasting success. Nikki Rausch, sales expert extraordinaire with over 25 years of selling experience and author of The Selling Staircase, joins us this week to share her 5-step process for taking control of sales conversations.  During this interview, you'll also learn... How to feel comfortable selling How to identify what step you’re at & successfully move forward in any sales discussion Key conversation techniques to close the deal Learn more about Nikki on her website.  Listen to her podcast, Sales Maven Podcast, here.  Connect with her on LinkedIn.  Download her free eBook here.  To buy her book, The Selling Staircase, click here.  This episode is sponsored by our friends at Synder accounting software. To start a FREE TRIAL and get a 20% discount visit https://synder.me/SuccessfulBookkeeper. You can also check out Synder on social media! Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Time Stamps 1:48 - Nikki’s career journey - from working in tech sales to studying neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) & empowering women to be comfortable having sales conversations 5:04 - Client success story 8:56 - The Selling Staircase - Step 1: the introduction 11:24 - Step 2: creating curiosity 17:53 - Step 3: the discovery call 25:56 - Step 4: the proposal 28:24 - Step 5: the close

What if the thing holding you back from success is YOU? Feeling you’re not good enough. Feeling like you don’t offer value. These are self-limiting beliefs that many of us have, but maybe don’t know how to deal with. Michele Molitor, an executive coach and co-author of Breakthrough Healing, joins us to share strategies on how to tune into your inner-dialogue to identify self-limiting beliefs and how you can begin to rewrite them to empower yourself. During this interview, you'll learn... The strength of the mind-body connection How you can start noticing the self-limiting beliefs you may have Ways to challenge those beliefs & how to begin to heal Learn more about Michele on her website. Connect with her on LinkedIn and find her on Facebook.  To buy her book Breakthrough Healing, click here.  This episode is sponsored by our friends at Synder accounting software. To start a FREE TRIAL and get a 20% discount visit https://synder.me/SuccessfulBookkeeper. You can also check out Synder on social media! Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Time Stamps 1:45 - Michele’s career journey - from creative director in web development to professional coach & hypnotherapist 5:26 - The physical and mental effects of self-limiting beliefs & how Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT) can help you heal 10:39 - How to tune into your internal dialogue to help you notice old beliefs that may no longer serve you 21:29 - What you can do to recognize & see your own value 24:19 - Finding the root cause of limiting beliefs & challenging them

The world of marketing is changing. With the increasing role of the internet in our lives, customers are turning to online platforms, like Google, to review and find business recommendations.  As small business owners, we know that marketing is a foundational part of generating leads but we may not know where to start. This week’s guest, Craig Staley, is the owner of HG Site Design and host of the Small Business School podcast. He is passionate about helping service based small business owners improve their online reputation to increase revenues.  During this interview, you'll learn... Top marketing strategies for small businesses How to set up and use Google My Business to drive traffic Why it’s important to develop a strong content strategy To connect with Craig on LinkedIn, go here.  You can find out more about HG Site Design on his website.  To listen to his podcast, Small Business School click here.   This episode is sponsored by our friends at Synder accounting software. To start a FREE TRIAL and get a 20% discount visit https://synder.me/SuccessfulBookkeeper. You can also check out Synder on social media! https://www.facebook.com/SynderHQ/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/cloud-business/ https://twitter.com/SynderApp/ Time Stamps 1:58 - Craig’s career journey - from working at a furniture store in Nebraska to starting his own web design business 05:59 - What inspired him to launch his Small Business School podcast 8:11 - Key learnings around marketing for small businesses: leveraging social media, the importance of knowing your audience & why building relationships is crucial for a successful business 15:11 - How setting up a Google My Business page for your business can help attract clients 19:23 - Three key considerations when setting up your Google My Business page 25:43 - Success story of a company who took advantage of Google reviews to drive traffic to their business 29:19 - Why you should develop a content strategy

Protecting your business. When so many businesses rely on the internet and apps, like QuickBooks, security is an indispensable asset. Ted Harrington, author of Hackable: How to Do Application Security Right, is an ethical hacker who finds and fixes security vulnerabilities in companies.  This week’s episode focuses on what small businesses can do right now to protect themselves against security threats and breaches. During this interview, you'll learn... Why you should be paying more attention to business security  Security strategies for small businesses How your attitude about security can help or hurt your business Connect with Ted on LinkedIn here.  To learn more about his book HACKABLE: How to Do Application Software Right, click here.    Time Stamps 2:06 - Ted’s career journey as an ethical hacker 8:16 - A metaphor for understanding the growing need for security in businesses 13:29 - Baseline security practices for small businesses 19:21 - Why your team should not be sharing the same credentials 23:48 - How mindset plays a key role in business security  32:53 - Ted’s book, Hackable: How to do Application Security Right

Feeling sluggish by the end of the day? It could be what you’re eating! Even the busiest workaholics can have a healthier diet. Like many bookkeeper business owners, Nagina Abdullah is no stranger to a busy schedule. Working as a consultant for Fortune 500 and 100 medical companies while also being a mother of two children, she found herself struggling to keep energized and healthy. She discovered that eating metabolism-boosting foods and spices helped her maintain a higher level of energy throughout the workday. During this interview, you'll learn... Why changing your eating habits is foundational to a healthy lifestyle Food tips for staying energized: more health-boosting spices, tasty veggies, good carbs & good fats How your mindset can make or break your health journey To connect with Nagina on LinkedIn, go here.  Visit her website to download a free copy of her recipe eBook, 7 Spicy Recipes to Melt Off 7 Lbs.  To download Sweet Spice Cheat Sheet, go here. Time Stamps 1:28 - Nagina’s career journey: how a change in diet helped her balance a demanding career with being a mom of two 8:27 - The health-boosting power of spices: how adding them to your diet can help you lose weight 11:04 - Tips for eating more tasty veggies 14:44 - Nagina outlines her healthy eating framework: The Tested and Perfected Fat Burning Food Framework 19:52 - Time-saving cooking tips 22:45 - Her website masalabody.com and free recipe ebook, 7 Spicy Recipes to Melt Off 7 Lbs 25:21 - How an all-or-nothing mindset can be harmful for your health journey  

Efficiency and time management. For any bookkeeping business owner, these are MUST HAVES, so it’s important to find a workflow software that delivers. This week’s guest is a small business systems and procedures expert in Australia with more than 15 years experience working in the bookkeeping industry, so she knows all about workflow software and how it can help your business. Jacqui Cubis has also been a Pure Bookkeeping (PB) licensee for over nine years and is a hugely active member in the PB community. During this interview, you'll learn... How workflow software can help your business grow What lessons Jacqui learned when starting her own enterprise What apps she leverages in her businesses Get in touch with Jacqui at [email protected]. Connect with her on LinkedIn here.  Learn more about her business, Evolutionary Workflow visit this link.  To explore Pure Bookkeeping, visit PureBookkeeping.com. Time Stamps 2:19 - Jacqui’s career journey and how Pure Bookkeeping helped her bookkeeping business grow 7:17 - Outsourcing work off shore and its challenges 10:30 - How integrating workflow software Karbon into her business has helped her businesses thrive 19:40 - Lessons learned from starting her own business 22:31 - How Jacqui discovered Pure Bookkeeping 28:00 - Apps that Jacqui uses most in her businesses (Karbon, Practice Protect, TSheets, Practice Ignition, etc)

What’s below the tip of the cultural iceberg? According to this week’s guest, understanding and appreciating cultural differences means seeing beyond what is obvious. Laura Kriska is an expert on cross-cultural relations with more than thirty years experience on helping to create more inclusive and productive workplaces. She is also the author of The Business of We which provides tools to close the Us versus Them culture gap in workplaces. As bookkeepers, we know that building relationships with our clients and staff is incredibly important. Practicing inclusion means tuning into the subtleties and invisible data and finding ways to bridge any gaps. During this interview, you'll learn... Why inclusion is a powerful tool for leaders How to see invisible cultural data How to practice inclusion Learn more about Laura on her website. To connect with her on LinkedIn, click here.  To buy her book, The Business of We, visit this link. To take the Us Versus Them Self-Assessment go here. Time Stamps: 1:35 - Laura’s career journey in Japan & navigating cultural differences 5:56 - How to see invisible data using the WE-building superpower 11:43 - How to foster a more inclusive environment 23:32 - Understanding Us vs. Them dynamics 30:36 - The fear of branching out & how to squash it 35:24 - Laura’s book, The Business of We & the Us vs Them self-assessment

“It was the community that came with Pure Bookkeeping. And from that community, it was the resources that became available to me that, I believe, pushed this business to where it is already in such a short time.” This week’s guest is a Pure Bookkeeping licensee from Melbourne, Australia where she is the owner of her own bookkeeping business (Zilch Bookwork), a romance novelist and even a qualified hairdresser. Helen Konstan shares her bookkeeping journey with us and explains how Pure Bookkeeping has supported and fast-tracked Zilch Bookwork’s growth. During this interview, you'll learn... How the Pure Bookkeeping community helped grow her business Why caring & compassionate bookkeepers are more successful Why you should value your time as a bookkeeper & how to price accordingly You can find out more about Helen and Zilch Bookwork here.  To connect with her on LinkedIn, click this link. To explore Pure Bookkeeping, check out purebookkeeping.com. Time Stamps 1:57 - Helen’s journey: from working at her family business to owning her own 4:30 - Starting her business Zilch Bookkeeping 9:10 - How Pure Bookkeeping has impacted her business 14:31 - The Pure Bookkeeping community & how it has helped her business grow 17:13 - Business before & after implementing the Pure Bookkeeping system 22:03 - Bookkeeper or Data Integrity Specialist? 26:15 - Key to success: being caring 31:34 - Valuing your time as a bookkeeper & making sure the price is right  

Do you feel a sense of control over where your time is going? Are you aligning your time with the things that you care about and the things you want to be doing? These are questions Cherylanne Skolnicki, a leading work-life balance expert and coach, suggests we think about when it comes to work-life integration. For busy bookkeeping business owners, juggling work commitments and personal/family responsibilities are common worries. Cherylanne’s passion is to support working women to live their happiest, most fulfilling lives by helping them find ways of experiencing well-being. She is the founder of The Brilliant Balance Company and a sought-after speaker and podcast host who has endless wisdom to share when it comes to finding your work-life balance. During this interview you’ll learn… Why it’s important to tune into what you really want in your personal & professional life How to set yourself up for success by being realistic when setting deadlines How to use productivity & time management to build the life you want To learn more about Cherylanne, visit Brilliant-Balance.com. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Tune into her podcast.  Time Stamps: 02:07 – Cherylanne’s career journey – from corporate ladder climber to successful entrepreneur 09:43 – How to define balance 13:14 – The dangers of over-promising & how to manage timelines better 22:00 – Time management & family – the importance of making time for what matters most 30:39 – The heart of work-life balance: productivity

No system or software is perfect, so expect to have hiccups. But, that shouldn’t discourage you from exploring the right solutions for you. Kerri Bouffard has embraced apps and technology which have made a big difference in her bookkeeping business. She’s the owner of Add Vantage Bookkeeping, a Xero specialist and Pure Bookkeeping licensee. She’s also the owner of Thunderhead Innovations which offers premium concierge services to make her clients’ transition to cloud accounting a smooth experience. During part 2 of this interview series, you'll learn... The advantage of focusing on one app & being an expert on it How to swiftly switch to XERO & the importance of learning its SOPs Why business owners need an app stack You can find out more about Kerri here. To learn about Add-Vantage Bookkeeping, check this out.  To explore Thunderhead Innovations, click here.  To connect with Kerri on LinkedIn, here’s her profile page. 

It’s not easy to run a startup bookkeeping business. Just ask this week’s guest. During that time, Kerri Bouffard was raising small children and trying to get clients, so it was hard. But, she kept at it and eventually her company, Add-Vantage Bookkeeping became viable. Today, she is a Xero expert and Pure Bookkeeping licensee who is appreciative of the lessons she learned back in her startup days. During part one of this two-part interview series, you'll learn... The various obstacles you’ll face as a startup & how to overcome them How using a casual approach can help secure clients How having systems can benefit your bookkeeping business To learn more about Kerri, go here.  To find out about her company, click this link. 

Feeling valued. It’s important. Not only for you, but as a bookkeeping business owner, you need to make your clients feel valued by the way you take care of them and their problems. That’s according to this week’s guest who is a world-class expert on women’s leadership and best-selling co-author of How Women Rise. Sally Helgesen's mission has always been to help women recognize, articulate and act on their greatest strengths. She helps thousands of them reach greater heights and enjoy more satisfying careers. During this interview, you'll learn... Why it’s important to know your strengths & clearly articulate them as a business owner The significance of knowing your internal barriers & the 12 habits that hold successful people back To focus on what you're contributing versus managing perception You can find out more about Sally at her website, SallyHelgesen.com. To connect with her on LinkedIn, go here. To buy her book, How Women Rise, click this link. This episode is sponsored by our friends at SweetProcess. To begin your free 28-day trial visit SweetProcess.com/successfulbookkeeper today.

This is a special episode. It was originally broadcasted at the Accounting & Finance Show Americas virtual conference where Michael Palmer interviewed, Mike Michalowicz, who is the author of Profit First and his latest book, Get Different: Marketing That Can't Be Ignored! Mike passionately believes that the only thing a prospect knows about your business, until they do business with you, is your marketing. So, make it good. During this interview, you'll learn... Tips on how to market your bookkeeping business differently How to stand out from the crowd How to overcome fear of failure To pre-order, Get Different: Marketing That Can't Be Ignored! and get free resources, go here.    To learn more about Mike, visit his website.  To become a Profit First Professional, explore this link.  This episode is sponsored by our friends at SweetProcess. To begin your free 28-day trial visit SweetProcess.com/successfulbookkeeper today.