Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur | Start and Grow Your Own Business 1112: Aligning ENTREPRENEURSHIP with CORE VALUES and building CONNECTIONS that matter w/ Jarome McKenzie
What if mastering your mindset and embracing the entrepreneurial journey could be the key to success? In this episode, Jarome McKenzie, founder of Arrowhead Strategy Group, shares his inspiring journey from New Zealand to Kansas City, his leap into entrepreneurship, and how he helps startups and mid-market companies optimize their accounting functions to drive better decision-making.
But this episode isn’t just about numbers—Jarome’s philosophy on self-belief, resilience, and taking the leap offers invaluable lessons for any entrepreneur. From his unexpected path into accounting to quitting his job without clients and building his firm from scratch, his insights on mindset, relationships, and perseverance will leave you inspired and ready to take action.
💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business
✅ Why betting on yourself is the most important entrepreneurial decision you can make
✅ How Jarome transitioned from a corporate job to building his own firm—and what you can learn from his leap
✅ The power of mastering your mindset and how to use it to push through doubt and fear
✅ Why deep relationships matter more than sales tactics when growing your business
✅ How to take action even when you feel unprepared, underqualified, or unsure
✅ The surprising truth about why great businesses are built on service and relationships—not just numbers
📝 About Jarome McKenzie
Born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Jarome McKenzie always knew two things: he wanted to be a dad, and he wanted to be an entrepreneur. His journey led him from playing baseball in the U.S. to earning a degree in accounting and working for global firms—before realizing the corporate world wasn’t for him.
Now, as the founder of Arrowhead Strategy Group, he helps entrepreneurs and business owners optimize their accounting functions, so they can make better financial decisions, scale their companies, and maximize business value. But more than numbers, Jarome is passionate about helping people, building deep relationships, and empowering entrepreneurs to take control of their future.
🎯 Jarome’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs
“Have faith in yourself. If you believe in what you’re doing, you’ll figure everything else out along the way.”
💡 Key Takeaways from Jarome's Advice:
✔ Your mindset shapes your reality—train yourself to believe you can do it
✔ Impatience kills success—embrace the journey, not just the destination
✔ The hardest challenges are often the ones that make you stronger
📢 Memorable Quotes
“If you don’t have a Plan B, you’ll make Plan A work.” – Jarome McKenzie
“I wanted to be directly responsible for the outcome of my life.” – Jarome McKenzie
“The best relationships in business go beyond transactions—they’re built on trust and value.” – Jarome McKenzie
💡 Actionable Takeaways
✅ Struggling with self-doubt? Start each day reinforcing your belief in yourself
✅ Want to build deep business relationships? Focus on giving more than you take
✅ Thinking about starting a business? Don’t wait until you feel "ready"—take the leap and figure it out as you go
✅ Learn to love the journey—success isn’t a single destination, but a process of growth
🔗 Links & Resources