In this episode of the Self-Employed Life, I had the great privilege of speaking with Nesha Pai, author of the book “Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles”. Nesha shared how she transitioned from running a fully remote accounting firm to empowering others to pursue their boldest dreams.

She further explains how personal tragedies deepened her mission. We explored the difference between courage and bravery, the “Four C’s” framework she uses to guide dreamers into bold action, and how cultivating personal style and daily confidence practices can help us show up as the person we’re becoming. Nesha’s story is a great reminder that taking courageous, intentional steps—especially through life’s hardest seasons—can lead to extraordinary transformation.

Nesha Pai is the founder of Pai CPA, PLLC, a fully remote bookkeeping firm in Charlotte, NC.

She started her firm in February 2011, and was one of the first in the industry to create a fully remote office model, along with giving employment opportunities to primarily to stay-at-home moms. As a single mom, sole owner, she grew from one client on her kitchen table to over 72 with revenues in the multiple six digits.

In January 2020 , Nesha published her book “Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles”, which won the award in the Multicultural Non-Fiction category by the 2020 competition of the American Book Fest. She is currently known as an international speaker, activating women and entrepreneurs to go boldly into the life of their dreams by cultivating the right tools to overcome the obstacles in their way.

Nesha is a recent breast cancer survivor and was named one of the Top 50 Infulential Women in The Mecklenburg Times (2020 and 2024), on of Charlotte’s biggest media publications.

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Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Small Business Consultant, Brand Management Consultant, Business Coach for Entrepreneurs, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker and author of LINGO and The Self Employed Life (May 2021). Supporting self-employed business owners with business and personal development strategies they need to create sustainable success.

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