The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast

"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

"The number one marketing strategy for bookkeepers, people would say, is 'do a good job and referrals will come.'" -Debbie Roberts Finding the right people to work in our businesses is tough. Managing expectations on both sides can be challenging, maybe our systems and processes aren't as great as we hoped, or maybe they just aren't the right fit for us. No matter what happens, mistakes are only a waste of time if we refuse to learn from them. When we get things wrong, it gives us a great opportunity to review our practices and see what isn't working. This will help us understand where the fault lies and how to fix it. Not everyone wants to be the boss, some just want to turn up and do what they love, but in order to find these people we have to be sure of their skills. You cannot take someone's word on success. Spend time with them, sit with them and have them show you they can do everything you want them to do, in the way you want them to do it. Peter Cook, and Debbie Roberts, co-authors of the E-Myth Bookkeeper and co-founders of Pure Bookkeeping, are this episode's featured guests. This sixth episode regarding The E-Myth Bookkeeper is all about how to hire great people, develop your systems and be relentless in the pursuit of your dreams. If you are struggling to grow in your business and want to scale but aren't sure how to find and test the right people for you then this episode will teach you how to build the right systems and then test and hire with confidence. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of never giving up on your dreams How to hire great people & keep them The importance of systems & processes in your business To find out more about Peter, click here or connect with him on LinkedIn. To learn more about Debbie, visit this link or connect with her on LinkedIn. Get your copy of The E-Myth Bookkeeper. To learn about Pure Bookkeeping, visit this link. Catch-up on the full E-Myth Bookkeeper Peter Cook podcast series with past episodes below! Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Episode 5 Time Stamps 01:21 - The Successful Bookkeeper 05:27 - Debbie's story 09:34 - Developing your systems 18:52 - Finding the right people for you 30:54 - Embracing what you're good at This episode is brought to you by Pure Bookkeeping. It's the proven system to grow your bookkeeping business.

"You don't have to know everything, but if you can ask the questions and then if you can figure out how those tie into the financials, you can say 'here are the numbers, but here's what they mean.'" -Jeff Bartsch All of us have a story, but few of us embrace the ability we all possess to change the narrative at any moment. There is comfort in familiarity, but it can also imprison us. If we keep saying to ourselves, 'I am just a bookkeeper', that is all we'll ever be. But, it doesn't have to be this way. We can change our personal and professional stories at any time, and when we do, we begin to think differently about ourselves. If we are what we think, then changing our thoughts will automatically change our actions. Easier said than done, but given the alternative, what do we have to lose in trying to think better of ourselves? Jeff Bartsch, founder of Story Greenlight, is this episode's featured guest. He has spent his career helping people understand the story of their business and how to tell it successfully. In this second of a two-episode special, Michael and Jeff discuss tactical ways to add advisory services to your business, the power of measurement and how to attract and keep your ideal client. If you think of yourself as just a bookkeeper or aren't sure how to put your experience to greater use, then this is the episode to get you believing you don't have to have all the answers, just the willingness to think better of yourself and try harder for your clients each day. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of measuring the data How to add advisory service to your business What your ideal client looks like, and how to keep them To find out more about Jeff, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Get your complimentary 1-on-1 coaching with Jeff at this link. Time Stamps 01:18 - Understanding who you are 09:24 - You are what you measure 18:05 - Attracting & keeping your ideal clients 25:11 - Learning more from Jeff

"A story is where a character wants something, overcomes obstacles to get it and experiences transformation as a result. Identity, desire, obstacles and transformation. And then we as providers of services and products, we are the guide, we come alongside to help that hero get what they want." -Jeff Bartsch Being a bookkeeper is about more than our ability to do the math. There are plenty of technological solutions to bookkeeping, yet clients continue to hire human bookkeepers because we understand the story of that client's business. We can leverage our experience in a way a machine is unable to. We build personal connections with our clients and guide them to success. In this advisory role, lies the true value of a bookkeeper. Someone who can reassure, support and advise in a way that builds connection and empowers clients to make the best of their businesses. Jeff Bartsch, founder of Story Greenlight is this episode's featured guest. He has spent his career helping people understand the story of their business and how to tell it successfully. In this first of a two-episode special, Michael and Jeff explore ways to build connection with your audience, the power of storytelling and how businesses are transformed when you give the numbers meaning. If you want to connect with your clients more, but don't feel confident using your knowledge and experience to build deeper relationships, then this is the episode for you! During this interview, you'll learn... The power of giving meaning to the numbers How to tell your story successfully The importance of building genuine connections To find out more about Jeff, click this link. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Get your complimentary 1-on-1 coaching with Jeff here. Time Stamps 02:12- Jeff discusses his career journey 05:55 - Connecting with your audience 11:39 - Telling your story 24:24 - Giving meaning to the numbers 30:10 - Delivering for your clients

"I think there are three main things that are super important for running a business. One is knowing how to be a great leader and a great manager of people. There's learning how to hire the right people for your business and how to build a team. And then there's knowing how to follow the rules and stay out of trouble!" -Jackie Koch As with all things in life and business, the earlier we get plans and systems in place, the more time, energy and money we will save down the road. This is especially true when it comes to employees. How do we know if we are hiring and firing too quickly or too slowly? The answer is we probably don't. But it doesn't have to be that way. We all want to do as much for ourselves as possible, but even if we can spread our knowledge to cover all the bases in a simple way, we will never be as good as a dedicated expert. We can guess what we need to do, but when we don't know what we don't know, there are going to be gaps. Jackie Koch, founder of People Principles and host of the World's Greatest Boss podcast, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career helping people create and maintain HR strategies for lasting success. Jackie and Michael explore the way small mistakes often lead to big problems, the value experts add to your business and the true meaning of Hire Slow, Fire Fast. If you want to hire new people or are finding exit conversations too challenging, this is the episode that will get you connecting with the right people to help you find your right people. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of expert experience in building your bookkeeping business How to hire & fire the right people at the right time The importance of catching mistakes early To find out more about Jackie, click here . Connect with her on LinkedIn. Learn more about the World's Greatest Boss Podcast. Time Stamps 01:54 - Jackie discusses her career journey 05:09 - Small mistakes lead to big problems 08:51 - Understanding the value of an expert 14:12 - Hire slow 22:47 - Fire fast! 30:44 - Finding the right fit 34:58 - Jackie's recommendations 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!

"Spend 15 minutes a day every single day on something that matters to you. I don't care if it matters to anybody else, but something that matters to you, and preferably do all this before you check your email." -Sam Bennett Habit building is hard, especially when we aren't always sure which way to direct our energy. The more we build a habit, the more momentum we gain, and the less we want to quit whatever it is we are doing. Unfortunately, the same is true of negative habits. If we struggle to even try, that is all that will happen. We'll give up before we start to see results, and the more we give up, the more we'll keep giving up. We can't just copy others and hope to find the same success, we aren't them. It's scary to realize there is no right way to success, there is only our own way, all we have to do is lean into it, and build it up with good habits. Success is what follows those good habits. Sam Bennett, author of The 15-Minute Method, has spent her career helping overthinkers get things done, 15 minutes at a time. She has created an environment to help people live their best, most fulfilling and productive lives. In this episode, Sam and Michael illustrate the power of the 15-minute method, how to beat procrastination, and how to spend more time in your flow state. If you are an overthinker, constantly worried about making the right choices, then this is the episode that will get you believing you can be who you want to be. During this interview, you'll learn... The power of the 15-Minute Method How to spend more time in your flow The importance of overcoming procrastination To find out more about Sam, click here. To explore the Get it done! Daily Practicum, visit this link. Connect with Sam on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram Time Stamps 01:35 - Sam discussses her career journey 04:30 - Adjusting to a new reality 10:10 - The power of 15 minutes 17:43 - Getting to grips with procrastination 20:58 - Building time in your flow state 32:03 - The daily practicum This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Forwardly! With Forwardly, you can send free instant payments while keeping funds in your bank longer, receive instant payments for 80% less than credit card fees and enjoy same-day ACH—absolutely free! The best part? You can leap into the future of business payments with Forwardly and possibly earn yourself a FREE iPhone 15 Pro this summer! Visit thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/forwardly for more information!

"The sales conversation isn't about the details of how we do the bookkeeping, it's about, what are the benefits of that for a business owner." -Peter Cook Most of us would say that referrals have been our best avenues to new business. Yet when quizzed about how we get them, many of us have no system or proactive approach in place with which to attract them. It's a fine line, make too many cold calls/posts and no one will take us seriously, but sitting back and waiting for things to happen to us, doesn't yield positive results either. This coupled with the issue that most of us are good at bookkeeping, not marketing, can make gaining and retaining clients a real problem. Peter Cook, co-author of The E-Myth Bookkeeper and co-founder of Pure Bookkeeping, is this episode's featured guest. He takes a deeper look at effective systems and strategies for marketing, and how prioritizing meaningful connections can make all the difference. If you are unsure how to market yourself, but not really gaining any meaningful leads, then this is the episode to help you move away from telling people what you're good at, and start actively showing them. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of letting your skills speak for themselves How to build meaningful relationships The importance of being proactive in your approach to referrals To find out more about Peter, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Get your copy of The E-Myth Bookkeeper. To learn about Pure Bookkeeping, visit this link. Catch-up on the full E-Myth Bookkeeper Peter Cook podcast series with past episodes below! Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4 Time Stamps 02:09 - Growing your bookkeeping business 08:10 - Systems for marketing 13:00 - Seven effective marketing strategies for bookkeepers 16:52 - Building meaningful relationships 24:22 - Creating referral systems 28:30 - Is paid advertising worth it? This episode is brought to you by Pure Bookkeeping. It's the proven system to grow your bookkeeping business.

"We are in a supply/demand economy that favours the suppliers. And it's economics 101, if you have a supply shortage that can't meet all the demand of the market, then you increase price." -Joe Woodard Compliance is one of the biggest realms of challenge for bookkeepers, but it also provides consistent opportunity. The rules and regulations change so frequently that it can be hard to keep up, and if we feel that way, just imagine how non-bookkeeping businesses feel about it. Supply and demand rule the market, and there is always going to be a supply of potential clients who would rather just pay someone to take care of the books for them. Despite this, we have to be careful not to fall into the trap of undercharging and over-promising. Having hundreds of clients might feel like a success, but it probably doesn't to the clients who barely get any of our time and, of course, if you're overworked for long enough, burnout will likely be in your future. Joe Woodard, acclaimed speaker and trainer, is this spotlight episode's featured guest. He has spent his career helping businesses solve their complex operational needs and scale to new heights. In this episode, Joe and Louie Prosperi explore the importance of pricing, how to value your skills and experience and the role practice, planning and AI have in your business. If you are taking on more and more clients but are starting to fall behind your promises, then this is the episode to get you focused on building connections and pricing based on your unique abilities, not just how many people you can get on board. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of having a solid plan & sticking to it How to value your skills & experience The importance of knowing your worth when it comes to pricing To find out more about Joe, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. To buy your tickets for the upcoming Scaling New Heights conference, check out this link. Time Stamps 01:30 - Getting to grips with compliance 04:35 - Making the best of engagement letters 06:55 - Staying on track 09:54 - Knowing your price 18:25 - Thinking long-term 24:40 - Valuation & profitability 29:58 - Practice, planning and AI

"If you want to stay viable in your bookkeeping business, you're going to have to make that shift, and make your customers understand that they need you, and value you and your thought process that AI can't do for them." -Lora Lonesberry There can be no doubt that AI is changing our world. Yet we are not all as doomed to be replaced by technology as some would have us believe. AI, like all new inventions, offers us the chance to grow, by embracing a technology that can make our lives easier, while giving us more time to focus on the unique insights only we can provide. Without challenges there can be no growth, they keep us on the cutting edge of industry, daring us to keep up, deepening our skill set, experience and knowledge. Experience that clients are in desperate need of. AI can do the numbers faster than us, but it can't contextualize them for the specific needs of a client. It can't understand the dreams and hopes tied up in our client's businesses. Lora Lonesberry, owner of Positive Statements, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her varied career helping people get proactive and creative when facing the challenges of business and personal growth. She speaks to the power of finding your niche and leveraging your unique skills to overcome any challenge and the need for strong community networks. If you are struggling to keep up, and don't know which tools to use or how to leverage your skills, then this is the episode to get you asking the question; 'What might your business look like if you implemented strategies to use AI to enhance, not replace, your services?' During this interview, you'll learn... How to leverage AI to improve the success of your business The value of thinking about the little things The importance of community & networking To find out more about Lora, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter. Time Stamps 01:47 - Making the most of changes 04:18 - Embracing a change in thinking 07:06 - Getting to grips with AI 21:08 - Thinking about the little things 26:04 - Levelling up on your gaps 30:32 - Finding your niche

"People do that with their bookkeeping business, they start, they want to get some clients and they want to make some money, but they actually really have no idea what the journey looks like and where they are trying to get to. It's a very different experience if you don't know where you're trying to get to." -Peter Cook There is a common misconception among business owners, that we are never truly successful unless we can claim to have done everything ourselves. While there are advantages to stepping out of others' shadows, it's also far more likely we'll get burned. There is nothing wrong with taking stock of what other business owners are doing and seeing how we might apply their approach to our own bookkeeping business. Walking the same path as someone else doesn't mean trying to walk precisely in their footprints. It's just a chance for us to enjoy a slightly easier path made possible by those who walked it before us. Peter Cook, co-author of The E-Myth Bookkeeper and co-founder of Pure Bookkeeping, is this episode's featured guest. This fourth episode on The E-Myth Bookkeeper series explores the bookkeeper's journey, the challenges of transitioning your business, and why sticking to the plan can make all the difference. If you are struggling to let go of old ideas about success, aren't sure how to move your business to the next phase of prosperity, or just want to get a better idea of what to expect on your journey, then this is the episode to show you it's okay to follow the trail. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of sticking to the plan How to navigate transitioning your business The importance of understanding the phases of your business To find out more about Peter, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Get your copy of The E-Myth Bookkeeper. Catch-up on the full E-Myth Bookkeeper with Peter Cook series with past episodes below! Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Time Stamps 02:01 - The bookkeeping business journey 07:41 - Helping bookkeepers grow their businesses 10:30 - The four stages of a bookkeeping business 16:26 - The challenges of transitioning your business 24:21 - Creating your freedom This episode is brought to you by Pure Bookkeeping. It's the proven system to grow your bookkeeping business.

"You have to be willing to think a little bit differently about your business. If you follow what everyone else is doing, you're going to get the same results everybody got." -Racheal Cook Building a business is hard. There are so many barriers to success that the last thing we need is to get in our own way, either by supremely undervaluing our skills, or dramatically overestimating the market for them. We all want to follow our passions, but we need to temper that desire with the real-world potential of earning from it. We start our own businesses to gain the flexibility and freedom often not afforded to us elsewhere. But we must be careful not to let our pricing trap us into a situation where we may be our boss but have no time or energy for anything else. Racheal Cook, owner of the CEO Collective and host of the Promote Yourself To CEO podcast, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career helping women create sustainable success on their own terms. She speaks to the power of breaking free of entrepreneurial poverty, how to price your value, and why investing in relationships matters. If you are struggling, unsure why everyone else seems so successful, but you are working more and more hours and only being rewarded with less time and energy, then this is the episode to help level up your thinking into a more proactive and strategic mindset. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of investing in relationships How to break free of entrepreneurial poverty The importance of pricing for the value of your skills To find out more about Racheal, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Instagram. Listen to Racheal's Promote Yourself To CEO podcast. Time Stamps 01:37 - Racheal discusses her career journey 04:05 - Eliminating entrepreneurial poverty 08:12 - Finding the value in your offering 11:05 - Pricing for your business 13:01 - Underpriced & overworked 17:50 - Lifetime client value 27:35 - Committing to building relationships 32:10 - Promote yourself to CEO This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage! On May 30th at 5:30pm ET, join their team for an exciting night in Toronto to celebrate the launch of their new product, Sage for Accountants. :) Meet fellow colleagues, enjoy free drinks and food, experience amazing entertainment, and best of all, get a chance to win an evening at the all-inclusive Blue Jays Suite! Spots are limited so make sure you secure your tickets TODAY by clicking this link. It's a party you don't want to miss!

"The importance of your own personal achievement needs to be equal to the importance of everyone else's achievement. We are all just harmoniously and fortunately moving towards the same thing: survival." -Mike Michalowicz Are we working with the business or for the business? A great way to find out is to pay attention to the way you speak about the business. Are the successes and failures 'ours' or are they 'theirs'? From this simple recognition, we can build a really clear picture of who is sharing the vision and who doesn't feel like they belong. From there, the hard work begins. In order to maintain our success, we have to make sure those who work with and for us are benefiting too. No one is an island unto themselves; we all need help and support to achieve our dreams. And when we reach our peak of success, we must look back and help those who have supported us on our journey to achieve their own idea of success. Mike Michalowicz, author and keynote speaker, is this episode's featured guest. He has spent his career helping people eradicate entrepreneurial poverty, fixing and removing barriers to true success. Mike speaks powerfully about the need to understand your people, how to get inspired, and why remembering your past successes matters. If you are struggling to share your vision, aren't sure how to recognize the contributions of others, or inspire them to action, then this is the episode to get you thinking less about your dream and more about 'our' dreams. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of inspiring others to achieve their dreams How to effectively communicate a shared vision The importance of taking stock of your success To find out more about Mike, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Buy his new book, All In: How Great Leaders Build Unstoppable Teams by visiting this link. Time Stamps 01:47 - Becoming a great leader 09:27 - Appreciating collective goals 16:04 - Communicating a shared vision 21:04 - How great leaders inspire their teams 24:38 - Creating psychological ownership This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Forwardly! With Forwardly, you can send free instant payments while keeping funds in your bank longer, receive instant payments for 80% less than credit card fees and enjoy same-day ACH—absolutely free! The best part? You can leap into the future of business payments with Forwardly and possibly earn yourself a FREE iPhone 15 Pro this summer! Visit thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/forwardly for more information!

"You don't have to be the best salesperson in the world. To be good at marketing a bookkeeping business, you just need to be good enough that you stand out in that crowd. You have to get good enough, you don't have to become the world's best marketer. " - Peter Cook We might be excellent bookkeepers, but that doesn't mean we are automatically great business managers. It's important to take the time to figure out where our skills are strong and where they could use improvement. If your passion and skill lie in the numbers, there is nothing wrong with focusing your attention there. Things start to slip or feel unmanageable in our businesses when we find ourselves spending a lot of time doing things we don't love. Even if we are not in a position to outsource the work, by connecting with others, we open up a world of experience, where we can find people who have already solved our problems. And whose problems we may have already solved. Peter Cook, co-author of the E-Myth Bookkeeper and co-founder of Pure Bookkeeping, is this episode's featured guest. This third episode on The Emyth Bookkeeper explores management, the challenges of growing a business, and why community matters. If you are drowning in your business, or want to learn more about what it takes to be a better manager, then this is the episode to help you take stock of your skills and explore connections with people who can help. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of challenges as steps to growth How to manage your business with your passion in mind The importance of community in solving problems Click here to find out more about Peter. Connect with Peter on LinkedIn. Get your copy of The E-Myth Bookkeeper. Click here to listen to the first episode. Click here to listen to the second episode. Time Stamps 03:00 - The challenge of growing a business 06:23 - Getting good enough 08:45 - Taking score of your business 12:46 - Finding your people 17:24 - Building a business you love This episode is brought to you by Pure Bookkeeping. It's the proven system to grow your bookkeeping business.

"Don't just ask for the referral, deserve it. You deserve a referral, and you earn a referral by who you are and how you show up in people's lives." - Curtis Lewsey Referrals are a huge part of our businesses but despite this, we often don't spend as much time and genuine effort as we should investing in the relationships around us. How well we are referred by others is a direct testament to our character. If we are being disingenuous, following the money only rather than the relationships, we are unlikely to build a sustainable network of connections. We have to stop expecting referrals when we haven't made any authenticity deposits of kindness, gratitude, or appreciation into the relationship. Curtis Lewsey, owner of AM Cards and co-author of Appreciation Marketing, is this episode's featured guest. Curtis has spent his career helping people get appreciative about their businesses and relationships. In this episode, he speaks to the power of saying thank you, putting authenticity first, and how to set healthy expectations. If your attempts to build client relationships are failing, or you just want to get more authentic about showing your appreciation to clients, then this is the episode to put you in the receiver's shoes, to truly take stock of how you are showing up in the world. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of saying thank you How to set healthy expectations in business relationships The importance of connecting authentically Click here to find out more about Curtis. Connect with Curtis on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:34 - Curtis talks about his career journey 04:34 - The power of authenticity and gratitude 08:27 - The chain of appreciation 14:07 - Appreciation marketing 20:05 - Leading by example 27:20 - Looking for opportunities to be grateful 32:20 - Learning more about Curtis

"I think we just get sucked into this pattern of being busy, and telling ourselves that there aren't any other options and that we have to accept this. That 'it is what it is'. Instead of taking that step back, taking a deep breath and thinking what would I want this to look like, what could this be?" - Erin Daiber We are creatures of habit, but all too often those habits become a prison, preventing us from growing and stepping into our greater potential. Just because things have always been done a certain way, doesn't mean we cannot choose at any moment to try something different. It is scary to step out of our comfort zones, but much worse to be trapped in a repeating cycle that will never lead us to the success we desire. As long as we remember we are the ones setting the rules for our lives and business, we can change them. Erin Daiber, returning guest and owner of Well Balanced Accountants is this episode's featured guest. Erin speaks to the power of connecting with your passion, how to navigate high-stress environments and what your life could look like with the right coach and a willingness to set rules that work for and not against you. If you are feeling stuck, sure that success is within your reach, but are unsure how to grasp it, then this is the episode to help you take that step back, that deep breath that will bring clarity on the best way to move forward into a more successful business. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of setting rules that work for and not against you How to navigate high-stress environments The importance of connection to your passion Click here to find out more about Erin. Connect with Erin on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:54 - Erin talks about her career journey 04:42 - Navigating high-stress environments 07:47 - Things don't have to be as they've always been 14:57 - Creating your future perfect scenario 17:56 - Taking control of your business 23:30 - Transforming your business with small changes 27:00 - Holding yourself to account 32:50 - Learning more about Erin

"I find, even just that connection, talking to other people… helping each other out, so important to the success of an entrepreneur because you can't do it alone." -Roger Pierce Starting our own businesses is a daunting prospect. There are many roads to becoming a successful entrepreneur, and each person's journey is so different, it can often feel like we have to walk the path in isolation. Acting in isolation, it can be hard to maintain course or connect to our purpose, chasing instead the hope of more money and clients. This is why support systems matter. When we surround ourselves with people who have or are on a journey of their own, it really helps us avoid common pitfalls and feel like we are a part of something bigger. Roger Pierce, who is an entrepreneurship expert, is this episode's featured guest. He has spent his career not only as a successful entrepreneur but also in bringing other like-minded people together to create their own business success. Roger speaks to the power of networking and community in building successful businesses, learning to pivot and how to approach your life with purpose. If you are tired of working for other people or are already on your journey but feel lost and isolated, this is the episode to get you thinking about the people you surround yourself with and the power of your purpose. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of learning to pivot How to approach your life with purpose The importance of building lasting relationships To find out more about Roger, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:43 - Roger discusses his career journey 05:42 - The challenges & opportunities of small business 09:05 - Approaching your life with purpose 13:05 - Evolving through education 16:30 - The Unsure Entrepreneur 22:09 - Learning to pivot 25:52 - What's next for small businesses 29:56 - Building lasting relationships 34:50 - Learning more about Roger

"If I was just open to meeting somebody and having a conversation and understanding where they were coming from, it naturally turned into a client, and that's what we have continued to do to this day." -Melissa Broughton We all feel like imposters in our businesses at one time or another. This fear can paralyze us, stopping us from taking any action at all. But it will always be better to try and fail, than let fear stop us from ever trying at all. When it comes to putting ourselves out there, it is hard to know which school of thought to listen to. Do you go for the soft or hard sell, hit the pavement, or focus on online marketing? The answer will always be to try everything and see what works for you. There is no one-size-fits-all approach. Melissa Broughton, owner of Busy Bee Advisors, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career helping small businesses gain financial clarity. She speaks to the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones, leaning into our inner problem-solvers, and the way embracing technology will help you find financial freedom. If you are struggling to find clients, or just aren't sure about the next step to take in your bookkeeping business, then this is the episode to help you get intentional about your goals, objectives, and purpose. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of leaning into our inner problem-solvers How to use technology to your best advantage The importance of stepping out of our comfort zones To find out more about Melissa, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Check out Busy Bee Advisors at this link. Time Stamps 01:11 - Melissa discusses her career journey 04:53 - Stepping out of our comfort zones 07:41 - Building a successful network 12:38 - Embracing technology 13:55 - Leaning into your inner problem-solver 16:28 - Working with family 21:47 - Looking to the future 24:25 - Passing your knowledge on 27:17 - Learning more about Melissa

"When people say, 'What do you do?' instead of saying I'm a bookkeeper, say 'I run a bookkeeping business.' It's a subtle difference, but it's actually a really big shift in mindset." -Peter Cook We must all leave our businesses one day. This confronting reality can make us quite uncomfortable. So much so that we bury ourselves working in our businesses, rather than working on them. More than the work we do, our businesses are valuable assets, if we treat them as such. Problems arise when we lean into negative thoughts and actions. If we only ever refer to ourselves as 'just a bookkeeper' that is all we'll ever be. Our habits define who we are, what might change if you began to introduce yourself as a business owner instead? Peter Cook, co-author of The E-Myth Bookkeeper and co-founder of Pure Bookkeeping, is this episode's featured guest. He speaks to the power of shifting mindsets, how to prove the value of your business to yourself and others, and why even small changes to our habits can have huge impacts. If you are worried about the future of your bookkeeping business, or just starting to consider it as a valuable asset for the future, this is the episode to get you thinking about long-term value and what leaving your business might look like. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of long-term thinking How to shift into a business owner mindset The importance of creating successful habits To find out more about Peter, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Get your copy of The E-Myth Bookkeeper! Click this link to listen to Peter's previous Successful Bookkeeper episode in 2024. Time Stamps 02:01 - How you exit your bookkeeping business 08:58 - Creating habits for success 10:46 - Positive versus negative thought 14:10 - The value of a bookkeeping business 16:44 - Proving the value of your business 19:55 - The challenges of stepping away 24:48 - Thinking with the end in mind This episode is brought to you by Pure Bookkeeping. It's the proven system to grow your bookkeeping business.

"If someone is asking for immediate payment, that's a huge red flag. Telling you to 'go to your bank, buy a gift card' or any kind of payment outside of the ordinary, be very, very weary. When it comes to taxes, you can always walk into an IRS office or state office. Go to the source." -Hubert Johnson Fraud is one of the biggest problems facing business owners. It is hard enough to keep up with all the changes in compliance law, that when we are then faced with identity or money fraud, it can seem an insurmountable problem. But as with most things, these issues will only hit us hard if we don't prepare for them or ignore them and hope they will go away. Education is the key to prevention, whether we do it one-to-one, or build community groups, sharing knowledge is the surest way to prevent more people falling into the trap of fraud. Hubert Johnson, tax attorney and owner of Guardian Tax Law, is this week's featured guest. He has spent his career helping thousands of clients and businesses find resolutions and peace of mind when dealing with tax issues. In this episode, Hubert and Michael explore the concerning rise of fraud, how to protect yourself, and the value of working together to face the challenges of the future. The cost of cleaning up a problem is often far more than the cost of making sure the problem never occurs. If you want to defend yourself against fraud but aren't sure where to begin, this is the episode to get you started. During this interview, you'll learn... How to protect ourselves from ever-increasing fraud The value of keeping up to date with compliance changes The importance of community in facing the challenges of fraud To find out more about Hubert, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:46 - Hubert discusses his career journey 02:42 - Protecting ourselves from identity fraud 08:59 - Spotting the scam 18:45 - The power of community in overcoming fraud 20:28 - Understanding changes to tax rules 26:52 - Getting payroll right 31:33 - Investing in business protection 38:17 - Learning more about Hubert

"I was outgrowing my money habits, and I was outgrowing the people teaching me about money, so what is that next level? Who is the next person I want to learn from?" -Stacy Tuschl Business owners often exist in the space between not believing we are worthy of our business, and believing we are the only ones that can get things done in our business. What would happen if you give yourself permission to start delegating some tasks to others? Of course, everyone is unique. If you are happy with the way things are working for you, then your growth may lay in other directions. But if you aren't happy, if you are spending too much time IN your business and not enough time ON your business, it might be time for a change. Stacy Tuschl, founder of Well-Oiled Operations and operational systems expert, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career not only building incredibly successful businesses but helping others to achieve their dreams, by freeing them from the limiting mindsets holding them back. In this episode, Stacy speaks to the power of delegation, shifting limiting beliefs and growing beyond our spheres of influence. If you are struggling to let go in your bookkeeping business, not sure how to start trusting others with the things you do so well, or simply want that push to try, then this is the episode to get you out of an operator mindset and start thinking like an owner! During this interview, you'll learn... The value of mindset in shifting our business perspectives How delegation can change your life The importance of learning from the right places To find out more about Stacy, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:46 - Stacy discusses her career journey 03:02 - The challenges of building a healthy business 04:32 - Who are we learning money from? 06:26 - How is this working for you? 08:22 - Learning to delegate 12:40 - Stacy's tips for successful delegation 19:41 - Shifting out of the operator mindset 25:47 - Navigating the flow of change 31:15 - Getting our finances in order 36:35 - Learning more about Stacy

"I have to do a lot of things that are downtime, or non-billable things, so I have to roll that into my rate. I had to do a mind shift change. I had to do a complete 180 on my thoughts and how I thought of clients and how I billed them and what I am doing for them." -Robin Hall Automation is the future, but shortcuts are only helpful if we have already been to the destination the long way round, otherwise, there is no way to know if we have arrived at the right place. Until we have a full understanding of just how many steps it takes to achieve a certain result, we can't begin to implement any useful shortcuts. The next problem is successfully communicating the worth of that experience, especially when we reach levels of skill that make us really good at something, but unable to explain how to do it to others. Knowing the value of our skills is only half the battle. Not everyone that can do, can teach. It takes a different skill set to be able to effectively communicate and replicate in others those things we do well. Robin Hall, owner and principal consultant at VARC Solutions, is this spotlight episode's special guest. She has spent her career helping people get to grips with automation. She discusses all things automation, from how to shift our mindset, to understanding the value of your skills and time, and how to bring your team along on the journey. If you have been considering a more automated approach to your bookkeeping business, but aren't sure which direction to take, this is the episode to get you thinking about people-first automation. During this interview, you'll learn... The power of pricing for your value not just your time How to shift your mindset to be open to the future The importance of bringing your people on the journey with you To find out more about Robin, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn and Facebook. Time Stamps 01:24 - Robin discusses her career journey 03:45 - The value of passing on our knowledge 06:03 - Shifting to value-based pricing 11:56 - Getting to grips with automation 15:44 - Factors to consider when automating accounts 22:31 - Bringing your team with you 27:10 - Finding your preferred solution partners 36:14 - Robin's automation tips 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.

"There's going to be some crazy stuff that happens in the next five to ten years. I think when we look back in ten years, we may see the same amount of change in that ten-year period that I have seen in my last thirty years, which is massive." -David Hartley There are so many changes happening simultaneously in the world, often happening faster than our ability to process them. It is no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed. Should we use AI or not, should we work in the office, remotely, or hybrid? What matters more than understanding everything that is happening in the world, is an understanding of ourselves in terms of how well we embrace or resist change. Some people love to jump into the deep end, and that's okay, but some like to be more cautious in their approach. In the second of a two-part special, David Hartley, a business and technology executive with over 30 years of continuous innovation and leadership, talks about how to achieve the right mix for successful hybrid working, co-creating value and the power of getting intentional about how you create and involve your teams in your business. If you are afraid of change or aren't sure whether in-office, remote or hybrid working is best for you or your bookkeeping business, this episode spotlights that it doesn't have to be one or the other, there is room for everyone to succeed. During this interview, you'll learn... How to overcome the challenges of hybrid working The importance of embracing change The value of connecting with like-minded people To find out more about David, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Listen to David's But Who's Counting? podcast. Time Stamps 01:28 - Who gets access to your experience? 04:41 - The evolving role of a CPA 09:03 - Overcoming the challenges of hybrid working 18:47 - David's tips for business success 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.

"What would I do, if I could still get my work done, but I had it done five hours faster, or ten hours faster? -David Hartley There was a time those using the abacus, feared the calculator. It is natural to be nervous and have some fear around evolving technologies, especially at their current pace. But those that lean into these advancements, are far more likely to survive them. And more than just surviving, there are huge opportunities to thrive when we embrace them. What makes us comfortable, might also be the same thing keeping us from reaching greater heights in our business. If there are tools that can systemize the repetitive, mundane tasks all of us must do to keep things running, why wouldn't we let a capable AI handle them for us? In the first of a two-part special, David Hartley, a business and technology executive with over 30 years of continuous innovation and leadership talks about the impact of AI on the bookkeeping industry, will discuss the need to embrace, adapt, and overcome the challenges of new technologies, why your advice matters, and what the future will look like. If you are living in fear of the looming shadow of AI, afraid for your bookkeeping business or job security, this is the episode to help you lean into a pivot towards embracing the future, as it happens. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of advisory skills in an automated world How to grow your business with AI The importance of embracing the changing technological landscape To find out more about David, click here. To explore Anders CPAs + Advisors, click this link. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:27 - David discusses his career journey 03:18 - The impact of technology on our profession 04:58 - Using AI to your best advantage 10:23 - To fear AI, or embrace it? 12:08 - Growing your business with AI 19:37 - The continued evolution of AI 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.

"My unique ability is to have people become aware of the value they provide, and then use that to transition their businesses to what they want." -Lisa Campbell There is a world of difference between making a living in a job, and creating a business that gives us true freedom. The problem is many of us get stuck on the way. Stuck charging low prices to clients who don't value our skills. Creating a bookkeeping business, just to have a business, is not the same as setting out with a clear idea of what you want your future to look like and directing all your effort behind that goal. Your business should be the gateway to the life you have always dreamed of, not another barrier. Lisa Campbell, founder of Accelerate 2 Advisor, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career helping people find their personal pathways to success. In this episode, she speaks about how to determine our unique abilities, what it takes to beat limiting beliefs and how you can set yourself up for a great 2024. If you are struggling to measure your successes, aren't sure what you offer that makes you special, or love her courses and want to listen to even more useful tips for success. This is the right episode for you. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of facing limiting beliefs How to determine your unique abilities The importance of measuring past successes for future growth To find out more about Lisa, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook. Time Stamps 01:18 - Lisa discusses her career journey 05:44 - Determining your unique ability 10:43 - Lisa's recommendations for a great 2024 15:22 - What do you want your business to do for you? 18:24 - Beating the limiting beliefs 23:37 - The Accelerator Method Masterclass This episode is brought to you by The Accelerator Method Masterclass Series! If you're a bookkeeper tired of working in overwhelm on compliance detail, learn how to reposition to high-value advisor correctly with this virtual opportunity that's hosted by Lisa Campbell. It begins on March 4th at 4pm ET. REGISTER TODAY!

"The good thing is that you don't have to be the one to replicate the knowledge, you can hire those that do. Know your strengths but know when somebody else is stronger, and lean to each person's strength." -Rachel Fisch Finding your niche is a great way to work with focus on the things that matter most to you and to find your ideal client. In this episode, Rachel Fisch, owner of RealityTax.ca and FischBooks Inc and now General Manager of Dext, speaks to what your ideal client profile could look like, the power of organic networking, and how getting excited about the success of others, can drive our own. If you have found your niche, but are stuck with the wrong clients, aren't sure which direction to invest your energy, or want to learn more about effective networking, this is the episode for you. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of getting excited about shared success How to build an ideal client profile The importance of organic networking To find out more about Rachel, check out her LinkedIn profile. To learn about RealtyTax.ca, go here. To explore Dext, click this link. Time Stamps 01:28 - Rachel discusses her career journey 03:03 - The story of RealtyTax.ca 08:44 - Managing a new acquisition 13:31 - The key factors of a good merge 18:40 - Finding your ideal niche 25:39 - The value of a strong network 30:36 - Getting excited about shared success This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Dext! They have a FREE webinar called AI: The Accounting Trend That's Here to Stay that's on February 22nd at 12pm ET. During the session, you'll learn how to leverage AI to positively impact your bookkeeping business plus so much more! REGISTER NOW You'll be glad you did! 🙂

"Our clients, they're consumers at some level, and they're comparing the experience they have with you. They are going to compare it to the great experiences they have. Their favourite businesses are the ones that take care of them the most. The best service experience they have ever had, that is their benchmark." -Shep Hyken All of us are customers. And yet despite having a wealth of experience, we hardly ever apply it to our own bookkeeping business. Getting started on the journey of quality customer service and experience can begin with some simple questions: Why do people work with us, and why don't they? And what do I love about my favourite businesses, and what don't I like? That is not to say you have to do what everyone else is doing. But if you can identify the criteria in yourself and others that really gets you excited about your work. You will have better footing to make more informed decisions about the future of your business. Customer service and customer experience expert, Shep Hyken, is this episode's featured guest. He has spent his career helping the world's best brands build a customer-centred culture. In this episode, Shep digs into what it means to set the tone in your business, the importance of great customer service, and how to measure it successfully. If you are tired of people deciding what you do, and how you do it, this is the episode to get you clear about who you are, what your business can offer, and how best to present that to the rest of the world. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of a great introduction How to find & retain clients that fit your business The importance of great client services To find out more about Shep, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:41 - Shep discusses his career journey 05:44 - Labelling ourselves before others can 08:11 - Creating the best client services 15:27 - The fine balance of quality customer service 21:23 - The Right Fit Client 25:50 - Why are your clients picking you? 33:33 - How much better do you need to be? This episode is brought to you by The Accelerator Method Masterclass Series! If you're a bookkeeper tired of working in overwhelm on compliance detail, learn how to reposition to high-value advisor correctly with this virtual opportunity that's hosted by Lisa Campbell. It begins on March 4th at 4pm ET. REGISTER TODAY!

"If we could get what's in your head, about how you do bookkeeping, out of your head and onto paper, into a system or process that someone else could follow, do you think then you could trust somebody else with your clients?" -Peter Cook The world of bookkeeping is ever-evolving. More and more frequently we are being relied on not only for our number crunching but in an advisory capacity. There is a wealth of knowledge we each possess from years of working within our niches. The problem is, all that great information is trapped inside our heads. Building effective systems and processes is about more than just having a computer run the numbers. Our systems should reflect the very best of ourselves. They should contain our knowledge and experience, so others can easily use that information to help clients. Peter Cook, co-author of the E-Myth Bookkeeper and co-founder of Pure Bookkeeping, is this episode's featured guest. He has spent his career mentoring business owners to find out what they really want from their businesses and their lives and how to get it. If you are struggling to move from working IN your business to working ON your business, are looking to scale your business, but everything is stuck in your head, or just want to test your systems against the advice of a master in the field, then this is the episode to get you started! During this interview, you'll learn... The power of the entrepreneurial mindset How to build your ultimate systems manual The importance of getting out of your own head To find out more about Peter, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Get your copy of The E-Myth Bookkeeper. Time Stamps 03:12 - Peter talks about his journey 06:34 - Evolving with the times 09:40 - The story of E-Myth 14:02 - What is a business system? 17:18 - Measuring successful outcomes 20:01 - Building your ultimate systems manual 24:01 - The impact of great systems This episode is brought to you by The Accelerator Method Masterclass Series! If you're a bookkeeper tired of working in overwhelm on compliance detail, learn how to reposition to high-value advisor correctly with this virtual opportunity that's hosted by Lisa Campbell. It begins on March 4th at 4pm ET. REGISTER TODAY!

"It was going to be another thing, like the internet itself, that completely changes the landscape of everything." -Seth David Embracing the future of technology in our bookkeeping businesses can be a daunting task. Taking the leap into AI and innovation requires trust and a willingness to adapt. There are so many innovative apps on the market, constantly changing and evolving their offerings, that it can be really hard to know which direction to turn. If we make our systems the starting point, we better position ourselves, such that we may not understand how the technology works, but we do understand how to leverage it for the best outcomes for our business. We can't know the right tool until we understand the problem we have to fix. Seth David, Chief Nerd at Nerd Enterprises, is this episode's featured guest. He has spent his career helping people to understand not only the tools and resources available to them, but how to apply them for maximum results in their businesses. If your work management isn't flowing, you don't know which tool is the best fit for your business or are unsure about the future, this is the episode to get you future-focused. During this interview, you'll learn... How to work in partnership with AI How to choose the right tool for your business The importance of workflow management To find out more about Seth, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:42 - Seth discusses his career journey 09:38 - Getting to grips with AI 21:25 - Looking to the future 30:08 - Finding the right apps for you 37:45 - Understanding work management flow 49:34 - Seth's app recommendations 56:41 - 2024 & beyond This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Gusto! Gusto's payroll and HR services can make your life a little easier. Automatically calculating paychecks, filing payroll taxes and much more! Gusto does it all. The best part? Because you're a listener, you get THREE MONTHS TOTALLY FREE! Just go to gusto.com/thesuccessfulbookkeeper to sign up TODAY!

"When a business owner is supported and when they have extra funds available, those funds usually funnel back into their local community." -Julie Walters Welcome to our 400th EPISODE!! Thank you for your support! Now let's get to the episode... :) Best practice isn't what everyone else is doing, it is learning from everyone else and building practices that work best for you. When we consistently deliver on our processes, we automatically create the space for growth as things begin to run themselves. There is never a right time to make a start or take the next step in your bookkeeping business. If we don't make the change today, 12 months from now we'll find ourselves stuck in the same position, wishing we had acted sooner. Julie Walters, owner of Pathfinder Bookkeeping and Tax, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career helping businesses grow and prosper. She speaks powerfully about the safety and security our businesses provide us, while explaining just how far-reaching the impact of what we do can be felt by others. If you are struggling to build effective systems and processes into your business, aren't sure how to communicate your skills or worth to your clients, or just want to modernize your business without leaving your clients behind, this is the episode to set your business in motion. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of Pure Bookkeeping as a tool for your success How to find the courage to take a leap The importance of bringing our clients with us on our journey To find out more about Julie, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. To learn more about Pure Bookkeeping, visit this link. Time Stamps 01:27 - Julie discusses her career journey 03:39 - Navigating the highs & lows 06:01 - Taking the leap 10:41 - Bringing our clients with us 12:48 - How Pure Bookkeeping can help you 14:53 - Building your dream team 17:14 - Never a right time 20:00 - Growing with your business 27:06 - Measuring the impact ripple 33:44 - Looking to the future

"It's such a great time to actually look at how we all are in this ecosystem. And if we support each other and work with each other, it trickles up." -Karolina Francis Welcome to a special episode celebrating Canadian Bookkeeping Week! During this conversation, Michael talks all things bookkeeping with a special panel of guests. Karolina Francis of KNF Consulting, Jonathan Carter of Kata Accounting and Melissa Lenos of King Business Solutions lend their unique perspectives to an insightful discussion about what it means to be a bookkeeper. The hardest part of any business is working with people, but it is also the best part. Our people are our success. Without them we have nothing, so the more effort we put into our relationships, the greater the impact and return. As bookkeepers, we want to see success for our clients. If they win, we win. And yet it can be hard to find the right people for us. What makes us a great bookkeeper might not make us a great leader, marketer, or coach. The panel talks about the value of finding people to work with whose personalities are congruent with our own. If you are struggling to keep pace with changes to the industry and technology, not sure how to know who you want to work with, or just want some incredible tips from industry experts, let the stories in this episode guide the way. During this interview, you'll learn... Tips for a more successful bookkeeping business How to forge lasting connections for lasting success What it means to thrive in change Connect with Karolina, Jonathan and Melissa on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 02:03 - Introducing the panel 06:13 - Getting into business 10:02 - The challenging parts of growth 17:41 - Finding the joy in the work 27:28 - The impacts of technologies 33:40 - Navigating a changing industry 41:01 - Tips for business success Thank you to our great friends at CPB Canada for helping us put this episode together! If you're not a member yet, go here to learn more!

"You'll know it's time to hire…when you're not able to do the things you love and excel at." -Lesley Pyle Placing our trust in other people is scary. Struggling along by ourselves can oftentimes feel safer than taking a risk on a new hire. But it comes at a cost. The more time we spend working on the day-to-day details of our bookkeeping businesses, the less we love them. When searching for the right people for our business, it is important to remember that trust is built over time, through practice and adversity. You'll never find someone you immediately trust with your business, but you can, through well thought out ads, invite people with complementary skills and experiences to build that trust with you. Lesley Pyle, owner and founder of HireMyMom.com, is this episode's featured guest. Born from a strong desire to help moms find legitimate work from home, Lesley has spent her career helping women find the perfect home-based job for them. She speaks powerfully to the nature of trust, finding the right people for your team and how to know when the time is right to expand your business. If you are worried about trusting new people or don't know who will be the best fit, this episode is your ultimate guide to hiring! During this interview, you'll learn... The value of growing with our changing world How to get onboarding right The importance of hiring people that fit your needs To find out more about Lesley, click here. You can also find her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:24 - Lesley discusses her career journey 04:25 - Facing the big challenges 07:15 - Growing with a changing world 09:12 - Getting people connected 12:31 - Hiring the right people for you 16:24 - Putting our best foot forward 20:10 - Making the right choice for you 21:22 - How to get onboarding right 28:42 - Trends for the future

"It is just part of the journey, you are not doing anything wrong, you just need to take a breath and say, 'what do I need to do next?'" -Sharon Darmody HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 2024 is here and our first episode of the year is one you won't want to miss! Despite our best efforts there are always going to be challenges in the workplace. What matters is our intention, our planning and when problems do arise, how well we embrace them as part of our journey. Our workplaces are hubs of connectivity, in a world where we are losing spaces for connection. The happier and healthy our people are in those spaces, the more engaged and productive they will be. It really pays to invest in employee well-being. Organizational consultant and author, Sharon Darmody, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career helping organizations build workplaces in which their people can truly thrive. As we start this new year, if you are struggling to build a connected workplace, aren't sure when or how to implement intervention strategies, or want to improve well-being in your bookkeeping business, this is the episode to help you shake those January blues! During this interview, you'll learn... How to apply the MAGIC philosophy The power of workplace rehabilitation The importance of bringing people together with purpose To find out more about Sharon, click here. You can also find her on LinkedIn. To buy her book, Work Your Magic: Create a Better Business Community That Works for Everyone, visit this link. Time Stamps 01:31 - Sharon discusses her career journey 02:29 - Workplace rehabilitation 05:10 - The challenges of growing your own business 07:26 - Creating a better business community for everyone 09:25 - Keeping up with an ever changing world 11:32 - The MAGIC philosophy 15:27 - Finding the new magic 20:42 - The new work order 27:20 - Bringing people together with purpose

It's almost the end of 2023 and wow, do we have a fun episode for you! In our Year-In-Review show, Michael talks to a panel of amazing guests about the ups and downs of the bookkeeping industry this past year. Our returning Year in Review panelists are Debbie Roberts, co-founder of Pure Bookkeeping, Jessica Fox, owner of Florida Virtual Bookkeeper, Teresa Slack, co-founder of Financly, and Katrina Aarsman, CEO of Pure Bookkeeping Australia. Our guests reflect on their biggest surprises of 2023, share their biggest wins and what they look forward to in 2024 plus more! There are some great chunks of wisdom in this episode, so sit back, relax and enjoy! We are grateful to all of our wonderful listeners who have joined us this year. YOU make this show possible. Thank you and HAPPY NEW YEAR! To find out more about our guests, click below. Debbie Roberts Katrina Aarsman Jessica Fox Teresa Slack This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Gusto! Gusto's payroll and HR services can make your life a little easier. Automatically calculating paychecks, filing payroll taxes and much more! Gusto does it all. The best part? Because you're a listener, you get THREE MONTHS TOTALLY FREE! Just go to gusto.com/thesuccessfulbookkeeper to sign up TODAY!

"Things like that, I get to show up and be excited about things again because I know everything else is taken care of." -Ashley Chamberlain In the pursuit of success, there comes a transformative moment when we ask ourselves, "What am I spending my time doing that someone else could excel at?" This realization is often weighed down by our belief that we can only be successful if we are doing it all by ourselves. But, when we embrace the power of delegation, it becomes a powerful catalyst for change, a journey towards freeing up precious time and rediscovering joy in both professional and personal lives. In the second of a two-part series, Ashley Chamberlain, owner of Chamberlain and Good Company, examines the ways outsourcing has changed her life. Ashley and Michael dive into how to delegate to experts, hire the right people for you and reignite passion for the things that truly matter. If you feel like you are spending too much time working in your business, and not enough time working on your business, then this is the episode to help you reclaim your time and find your true passions in life! During this interview, you'll learn... The value of planting seeds now for future success How to let go of the need to be all things to all people The importance of hiring the right people To find out more about Ashley, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:27 - Learning to delegate 10:01 - Attracting the right people 15:30 - Living our life's passion 18:12 - Getting our time back 20:32 - Showing up for ourselves 25:05 - Learning more about Ashley 26:54 - 3000 hours of service This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Gusto! Gusto's payroll and HR services can make your life a little easier. Automatically calculating paychecks, filing payroll taxes and much more! Gusto does it all. The best part? Because you're a listener, you get THREE MONTHS TOTALLY FREE! Just go to gusto.com/thesuccessfulbookkeeper to sign up TODAY!

"We want to identify those moments that matter, that help us center around connection… going back to the employees and saying, 'what does this look like to you?'" -Jennifer Johnston There are so many different points of view when it comes to remote, office and hybrid working, that it can be hard to know what is best for us, our employees, and businesses. Remote workers increase the pool of skilled talent you might hire, but in-house employees create culture and connection with no extra effort. What would happen if you identified those crucial workplace moments that truly matter for your team, and structured your approach around the answers of the people working for you? Jennifer Johnston, Vice President of Human Resources at Payworks, is here to help you answer that very question. In this episode, Jennifer and Louie Prosperi navigate the complexities of the different working environments and what you can achieve when you identify the moments that matter and offer valuable insights into the strategies you can employ to thrive anywhere. If you are struggling with all the talk around where and how you should be working, then this is the episode to cut the noise and get you thinking about what will work for you, your employees, and your clients! During this interview, you'll learn... The value of managing stress & well-being How to identify what matters to you The importance of connecting with purpose To find out more about Jennifer, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:27 - Jennifer discusses her career journey 03:41 - Adapting to challenging environments 07:41 - Employee engagement & experience 09:58 - How to use a net promoter score 13:48 - Managing stress & wellbeing 18:33 - Creating a proactive space 21:42 - The hybrid environment 26:33 - Getting intentional about connection 33:44 - The benefits of remote work 37:06 - Learning more about Payworks 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!

"I had to think, what am I going to do if I stay in this position forever? Is this going to be fulfilling?" -Ashley Chamberlain Leaps of faith are never easy, we can often be left feeling like it is better to remain in a situation that makes us miserable, than take a risk on something new and different. It comes down to what we want from life. Do we want to be working our lives away to build someone else's dreams, or do we want to put that effort into growing something of our own? In the first of a two-part series, Ashley Chamberlain, Owner of Chamberlain and Good Company, reflects on the challenges of stepping into an entrepreneurial journey, outgrowing past experiences, and how the personal approach can make all the difference. Her journey is a testament to the power of taking that leap of faith and pursuing what truly fulfils us. She has spent her career seeking out challenges and overcoming them one by one, and now she shares her success secrets with others. If you are struggling with self-doubt, aren't sure how to put yourself out there, or want to take a leap of faith into something new, this is the episode to get you started cultivating your own seeds of success! During this interview, you'll learn... The value of a more personal approach How to network for success The importance of consistent efforts toward growth To find out more about Ashley, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:41 - Ashely discusses her career journey 05:15 - Making a leap of faith 10:16 - Networking for success 13:47 - Taking a more personal approach 17:32 - Meeting clients where they are 24:20 - Shifting your mindset 28:53 - Finding the joy in what you do This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Dext! Do you chase after your clients' receipts, enter data manually and lose information? Dext Prepare is a bookkeeping automation software that removes unnecessary tasks from your workflow. Giving you and your clients more time to focus on what matters. To learn more, visit Dext.com today!

"If you charge a bit more, and you're in that sweet spot, you will just naturally get more clients, who can appreciate, or want to pay those extra dollars per hour." -Andrew Seguin There will always be more clients. It is hard to shake a scarcity mindset, but the truth is, if you are good at what you do, there will always be people willing to pay a premium to have you do it for them. We have to apply our passion and love for what we do, not only in how we price our clients but how we pay our employees. In your bookkeeping business, you get to decide what you say yes to, and critically, what you say no to. Getting something done cheaply, doesn't often guarantee a successful and long-lasting outcome. But neither does overcharging for skills and services we don't possess. We have to find the sweet spot, the place where our skill and the price for it align. When you find that spot for your business and own your value, you'll find people are magnetically drawn to want to work with you. In the second part of this two-part series, Andrew Seguin shares insights into how to build a thriving bookkeeping business, what a strong workplace culture looks like and why it is important you charge what you are worth. If you are struggling to find the right path for you, not sure how to hire the right people, or price for the value of your skills, then this is the episode for you! During this interview, you'll learn... How to charge what you are truly worth How to hire the right people for your business The importance of bonding with your team To find out more about Andrew, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Andrew is also speaking at The Successful Bookkeeper Virtual Summit. Learn more and REGISTER at this link! Time Stamps 01:30 - Hiring the right people for your business 06:02 - Bonding with your team 10:24 - How to price by value 16:52 - Why are you charging so little? 20:57 - Owning your value 27:28 - Getting passionate about what you do 30:44 - Building your dream business This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Payworks! If you're looking for a reliable and affordable payroll platform for you business, look no further! To learn more, visit Payworks.ca TODAY!

"Our industry is in such a huge demand, and no matter what, we can have a whole conversation about AI, but bookkeepers in general that can really understand a client's businesses financial health, will never go away." -Andrew Seguin Many of us have the desire to build our own businesses. To become masters of our own destiny. Yet we also often feel crippling self-doubt, like we are imposters, pretenders in a sea of people far more talented than we are. The truth is, no one knows what will happen when we start a business. Planning matters, effective systems, and processes matter, but what matters the most is a willingness to try even though we may fail. In this first of a two-part series, Andrew Seguin, Founder of Seguin Financial, dives into what it means to overcome our fears, build community, leave the safe harbour, and forge our own path. Andrew has spent his career helping businesses reach their potential, by streamlining their finances to free up more time to work on their business. Whether you are just starting out or want to shift your mindset to one of confidence in your offering, this is the episode that will get you thinking differently about the paths and directions your life could take. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of establishing your processes early How success begins at the edge of our comfort zone The importance of overcoming our limiting beliefs & fears To find out more about Andrew, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Andrew is also speaking at The Successful Bookkeeper Virtual Summit. Learn more and REGISTER at this link! Time Stamps 02:27 - Andrew discusses his career journey 06:47 - Believing in ourselves 08:09 - Setting our own path 10:06 - Making the right moves 17:08 - Building community connections 21:14 - Switching to a confidence mindset 25:25 - Asking for support This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Payworks! If you're looking for a reliable and affordable payroll platform for you business, look no further! To learn more, visit Payworks.ca TODAY!

"Culture always defaults to the worst behavior that we allow. And I think that is true of our leadership as well." -Zach Montroy All of us have had experiences of toxic or unhealthy workplace cultures. While a healthy culture is everyone's responsibility to co-create and maintain, office power dynamics are normally structured from the top down. It is the leaders who have to set the tone and make sure everyone has what they need to show up motivated, knowing they will be supported in their work. It is easy to identify what makes us feel good, but just because we have positive success in one area doesn't mean there aren't areas for improvement. If we want our businesses to truly thrive, we have to practice the hard conversations and be in a positive state of leadership, leaning away from command and control and being open to hearing some tough truths. Zach Montroy, founder and CEO at the Intention Collective, is this episode's featured guest. He speaks to the power of values, especially courage in building a brave workplace. He has spent his career helping businesses put direction, courage and vision into their strategies, identifying the destination and helping set the course to make it possible. If you are feeling listless in your bookkeeping business, not really sure which direction to go, or how to have the hard conversations, this episode will give you the courage to take an authentic look at what needs to change. During this interview, you'll learn... Why embedding values into our culture matters How to identify & understand workplace culture The importance of self-awareness & principles in leadership To find out more about Zach, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:31 - Zach discusses his career journey 03:12 - Understanding the problem 08:14 - Leadership starts with the self 12:00 - Confronting a toxic culture 14:38 - Daring to lead 17:18 - Creating the best place to work 22:56 - The work of the Intention Collective 26:33 - Resources to support your business This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Dext! Do you chase after your clients' receipts, enter data manually and lose information? Dext Prepare is a bookkeeping automation software that removes unnecessary tasks from your workflow. Giving you and your clients more time to focus on what matters. To learn more, visit Dext.com today!

"Going those first few years on that solopreneur route can be very lonely at times and finding people that you can talk to and collaborate with and learn and grow from is huge." -Danielle Hendon Building a business is all about bridging gaps and creating connections. Between yourself and your clients, your team, and your network. But before we can build anything successful, we have to be confident and sure in our own abilities. If we can't articulate what it is we can bring to clients that no one else can, how can we expect them to choose us, or have faith in our abilities? When you know what it is you love to do, it makes it much easier to create links with others that can fill the gaps in your ability. If you love spending time doing the numbers, but find all of your time taken by marketing or client contact, are you really any better off doing it alone than you would be hiring someone to do those things for you? Danielle Hendon, owner of 4 Corners CFO, is this episode's featured guest. She will provide advice on how small businesses can pay themselves what they are worth, by arming them with the understanding they need to make continued profits. If you are thinking of starting a bookkeeping business, aren't sure how to spend more time doing the things you love or are afraid of investing time in potential relationships, then this is the episode to get you thinking differently about yourself. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of letting go of the little things How to know when the time is right for growth & change The importance of figuring out what you have to offer To find out more about Danielle, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:38 - Danielle discusses her career journey 05:14 - The cornerstones of business 06:01 - Taking the leap 08:20 - Figuring out what you have to offer 09:54 - Letting go of the little things 16:20 - How to know the time is right 22:50 - The challenges of new hires 24:31 - Empowering our clients 28:15 - Sticking to the right path 31:00 - Learning more about Danielle

"I'm all about making money, but at the same time, we are taught our whole life that money is the answer to everything, and it's really not. Because at the end of your life, you don't think about your wallet." -Bridget Hilton Life is short. We know this all too well, and yet rarely make changes to ensure we are living a life without regret. Research shows that we feel the loss and regret of the thing not done, far more than the things we did, but got wrong. Not only that, but our biggest mistakes often prove to be the greatest factors in our growth. Teaching us and pushing us beyond what we thought it was possible to endure, allowing us to expand in emotional and intellectual intelligence and problem-solving. Our choices ripple out into the world around us, when we think about what it means to live a life without regret, consider your legacy, your ripples, and whether they left the world better or worse. At the end of our lives, we don't regret making enough money. But we do regret all the time we lost to the grind. Bridget Hilton, author and keynote speaker at Experiential Billionaire, is this episode's featured guest. She speaks powerfully about what it means to live a life with no regrets, how new experiences empower us to be bolder, and how your life can transform when you give back. If you find yourself putting your dreams off, or worse, not even daring to dream them, then this is the episode to get you thinking about today, not someday! During this interview, you'll learn... The value of new experiences How to live a life with no regrets The importance of giving back To find out more about Bridget, click here. Connect with Bridget on LinkedIn and Twitter. Time Stamps 01:43 - Bridget discusses her career journey 05:32 - Building LSTN 07:42 - The gift of hearing 10:15 - Experiential Billionaires 15:10 - The power of new experiences 16:46 - Writing the Experiential Billionaire 19:29 - The most valuable parts of your life 28:08 - Embracing the future 30:29 - Using our lives in the best possible way

"If you want to turn your customers into superfans, being good is not going to cut it, you have got to be super!" -Brittany Hodak We'd all like for our potential clients to pick us over the competition, yet we often struggle to communicate our experience and value in a way that speaks to the heart of the customers we want to work with. Awareness of your business isn't the issue; it is apathy that kills revenue. If you can't clearly communicate why potential clients should care about what you do, how can you expect them to care? Once you communicate your value and it reasonates with people then do great work for them, you can create superfans who recommend you to everyone they know. If we can delight clients with every aspect of their experience with us, they will always come back. But more importantly, they become brand ambassadors, which will add more value than any paid marketing. Brittany Hodak, a Customer Experience expert and author of Creating Superfans: How To Turn Your Customers Into Lifelong Advocates, is this episode's featured guest. She shares the five points of her Super Model plan, giving you the tools to create the best possible customer experience and long-lasting customer loyalty. If you are living in a service mindset and are unsure how to create an environment in which clients want to choose you, this is the episode to start your mindset shift into the experience economy. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of creating business superfans How to exceed your client's expectations The importance of an experience-focused mindset To find out more about Brittany, click here. Buy her book at this link! Connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter. Time Stamps 03:30 - Brittany discusses her career journey 07:54 - Creating superfans for your business 10:54 - Overpowering apathy 16:42 - The Super Model 20:38 - Understanding your customer's story 24:28 - Getting personal 32:00 - Exceeding expectations 35:19 - Repeat for your reputation

"I have been a small business owner, and I know when you are short of cash, that three or four days of time, if you could get that money early, that could be a game-changing event for your life." -Nick Chandi The world is constantly changing, and the pace of that change has never been quicker. Despite this, North America is lagging behind Asia in its adoption of instantaneous payment technologies. We may have digital transactions and payments that seem instant, but even these rely on an old system of checks and balances within our banks to resolve. Nick Chandi, CEO and co-founder of Forwardly is this spotlight session's special guest. He helped create the first real-time payment solution for small businesses in the United States. Creating a platform that can automatically reconcile transactions for a more seamless and modern payment workflow. The old ways are comfortable, but we live in an on-demand economy, we want faster and more convenient services. Services that will become the norm in no time at all. While adapting to change can be stressful, there are people like Nick who make it their mission to make these changes as easy and comfortable as possible. If you aren't sure which direction the future of payments will take, or how it will apply to you, this is the episode for you to hear how your bookkeeping business could change for the better. During this interview, you'll learn... The value & benefits of instant payments How better access to cash flow is better for business The importance of keeping up with the times To learn more about Nick, find him on LinkedIn and Twitter. Time Stamps 01:27 - Nick discusses his experiences founding Forwardly 02:35 - Revolutionizing transactions 05:33 - This bank is always open! 08:16 - The value of access to better cashflow 12:28 - The benefits of instant payments 21:38 - No risk, full rewards 23:46 - The results so far 26:07 - Features for the future This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Forwardly! Join the first real-time payments solution for small businesses in the United States. Start receiving funds three days earlier than ACH and for up to 80% fewer fees than cards! Visit Forwardly.com for more information!

"A good manager is not anymore managing people, but also managing tools…if you give the right instructions, you can manage an army of robots…combining that with your team, and combining that with your robot team, then you can be a great manager." -Nicolas Boucher Artificial intelligence is here to stay, like all great technological revolutions, it can feel scary to have our foundations shaken. That is why it has never been more important to be able to adapt and go with the flow. To ride the wave of AI to new heights in your bookkeeping business, rather than hope it passes you by. It is important to remember that what we think of as AI, isn't a truly sentient lifeform. It is an incredibly complex program for sifting through the collected knowledge of mankind, faster than any one human could do alone. But it is still us, when it generates answers, it takes that knowledge from everyone who has faced that issue and posited an answer online. Nicolas Boucher is a German keynote speaker and expert in leveraging ChatGPT for finance teams. In this episode, he masterfully unpacks our fears around AI, while giving tangible examples of how your business can be dramatically enhanced with the application of AI tools. If you are struggling to get along with AI tech, Nicolas also offers his top tips for getting started with ChatGPT. Helping us to understand the possibilities rather than fear the results. AI will only replace us if we aren't applying our creativity and experience to our work. As long as you love what you do, a computer will never do it better. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of combining people & AI tools How AI can revolutionize our teams The importance of understanding the source of our collected knowledge To find out more about Nicolas, click here. Connect with him on LinkedIn and Twitter. Time Stamps 01:58 - Nicolas discusses his career journey 06:35 - Transform work with AI 10:16 - Understanding the source of AI 14:14 - Incorporating AI into your life 19:00 - Knowing the limits 24:45 - 5 tips for getting started with ChatGPT 28:52 - Getting creative with AI 33:00 - Learning more about Nicolas This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Practice Protect! With Practice Protect, you can access all your cloud apps from a single dashboard with just one click – no more passwords to remember. It also integrates seamlessly with over 6000 cloud apps and platforms, including Quickbooks Online. Take control of your data security. Head to PracticeProtect.com to book a demo TODAY.

"Having a community to support me, it just was instrumental. It's something you can't talk to your friends and family about. They just don't get it." -Paige Papaioannou Not everything is as easy as the internet makes it seem. But thanks to the internet, there is a wealth of information and possibilities for connection with people on a similar journey to you. By being in a community of like-minded people, you can learn from the mistakes of others and support one another. Paige Papaioannou, owner of Books By Paige, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career helping businesses thrive through her expert accounting and advisory services. In her conversation with Michael, they explore what it's like to build a business that works for you, not one you are left trapped working in. By creating systems and processes that make the work that you and your team easy to replicate, you'll create a bookkeeping business that can run without you, that won't shut down if you lose any staff, and can be easily scaled to accommodate increases in growth. If you are struggling and want to move from people-driven to system-driven processes, this is the episode to get you thinking differently about the future of your bookkeeping business. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of connecting with a supportive community How to build a bookkeeping business that works for you, not one you work for The importance of building client relationships in your own way To find out more about Paige, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 01:47 - Paige talks about her career journey 07:22 - Juggling work/home life balance 09:52 - Building a business that works for you 13:35 - Trusting the process 17:04 - Do-it-yourself marketing 20:35 - Getting clients in your own way 27:08 - Looking to the future This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Forwardly! Join the first real-time payments solution for small businesses in the United States. Start receiving funds three days earlier than ACH and for up to 80% fewer fees than cards! Visit Forwardly.com for more information!

"By having the opportunity to work with, and work beside, and learn next to, and learn with people who have a different vantage point on whatever the problem is… when we get to be with that other person, our ability to understand the complexity actually increases, and that's where we are able to innovate more impressive solutions." -Deb Mashek The better we are at collaborating, the more likely it is that people will want to work with us. Yet so many of us struggle to work effectively with others. What happens when we sit and ask ourselves what collaboration really means? Are we only happy when we are getting our own way? What does it really feel like and mean to co-create something with other people? These are big questions, but they matter if we are to get to the heart of why it is we need to work with other people. Balance is critical, as is a mutual respect for our skills and the skills of others. If we are able to set effective expectations through a lens of respect, we are far more likely to find success in our collaborations. Deb Mashek, founder of Myco Consulting and author of the new book Collabor(h)ate, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career helping people recognize different viewpoints and creating the space for understanding to flourish between seemingly disagreeable people. If you struggle to vocalize your opinion, aren't sure how to speak with someone about viewpoints you disagree with or are finding it difficult to communicate your worth and effort, then this is the episode to take you from CollaborHate to CollaborGreat. :) During this interview, you'll learn... The value of setting healthy expectations How viewpoint diversity can shape your business for the better The importance of building a communal mindset To find out more about Deb, click here. Connect with Deb on LinkedIn. Buy her new book, Collabor(h)ate at this link. For the 10 kickoff questions mentioned in this episode, visit here. Time Stamps 01:50 - Deb discusses her career journey 04:45 - Understanding viewpoint diversity 06:38 - Getting to the heart of collaboration 09:35 - Collaboration through the lens of small business 16:40 - Keeping ourselves community-minded 22:29 - Communicating more effectively 27:04 - Deb talks about her new book

"One of the biggest barriers I experience is my own distractibility, my own attention and how I am focusing it." -Natalie Ruskin What we show others on the outside, is often not aligned with how we feel on the inside. There is real pressure to present a certain way to be considered successful in business. But the reality is, we all have different ways of working and being and we all need help from time-to-time to understand what it is that really matters to us. This is a challenge when negative beliefs can be so addictive. We sabotage ourselves so others don't, or just to make the pressure of doing things we don't love, stop. We will never feel at peace until our outer projection aligns with our inner one. We have to stop seeking to show people we are successful, and live being successful. When we bring awareness to each moment in a non-judgmental way, we can see more clearly the things that truly matter to us. Natalie Ruskin, coach and host of the A Success Of Our Own podcast, is this episode's featured guest. She has spent her career helping purpose-driven people thrive in their work and well-being. She speaks to the power of finding and connecting with our sense of why. How to measure what matters to us, and how simple and consistent changes to your mindset will change your outer world for the better. If you are struggling with your purpose, or are unsure how to measure it, this is the episode to open your mind to the power of your why. During this interview, you'll learn... The value of connecting with your 'why' How to build a success mindset The importance of understanding our internal success metrics To find out more about Natalie, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Listen to her podcast here. Time Stamps 01:54 - Natalie discusses her career journey 09:36 - Creating internal metrics for success 15:50 - Building the habits that will change your life 25:44 - Figuring out your why 31:27 - Holding ourselves accountable 33:25 - She talks about her new podcast