The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast

“Anyone who grows plants knows that sometimes you have to trim the leaves to have an overall healthy plant. Not every customer will come with you as you grow your business, and that's actually a good thing. It keeps your business efficient and healthy.” -Etinosa Agbonlahor In the finale of this two-part conversation, Etinosa Agbonlahor, behavioral economist and CEO of Decision Alpha, returns to share practical strategies for raising prices without losing confidence or clients. She explains how to overcome resistance, use behavioral nudges, and position your services to attract the right customers. In this interview, you’ll learn: How to spot signals your pricing is off Simple nudges & choice architecture that boost client acceptance How to raise prices with confidence & retain long-term relationships To learn more about Etinosa, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Learn more about Decision Alpha. Download your free Behavioral Pricing Playbook here. Time Stamp 03:01 – The fear of losing customers & why churn can be healthy 07:23 – Building confidence to justify premium pricing 12:29 – Signals your pricing isn’t working 19:14 – Behavioral nudges that influence client choices 26:40 – Using choice architecture to present pricing 30:41 – Raising prices while honoring long-term clients This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext! Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place. Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who’ve already made the switch. If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you! Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!

"You should be distinct enough and positioned just a bit enough that people go, 'Oh, I am caring about the value they're gonna bring to me, to the point where I wanna double click.’” -Etinosa Agbonlahor Etinosa Agbonlahor, behavioral economist and CEO of Decision Alpha, shares how pricing is about more than numbers. She explains why understanding your value and talking to clients is key to building a profitable bookkeeping business. In this interview, you’ll learn: Why most bookkeepers underprice their services How client conversations uncover real value Ways to position yourself so price isn’t the only factor To learn more about Etinosa, click here. Connect with Etinosa on LinkedIn. Learn more about Decision Alpha. Download your free Behavioral Pricing Playbook here. Timestamps 02:32 – Etinosa’s career journey in finance & behavioral economics 04:57 – Why businesses leave 11% profit on the table 07:56 – The number one mistake in pricing: not talking to customers 11:12 – How bookkeepers often copy pricing from competitors 13:55 – Should you show prices on your website? 15:30 – Positioning: are you in the bazaar or the premium store? 19:02 – Differentiation through unique processes or systems 21:15 – Telling your story to build perceived value This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext! Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place. Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who’ve already made the switch. If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you! Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!

“Just having the courage to allow some of your real story to come through publicly is your differentiator. It builds trust, opens doors to sales conversations, and draws future customers to you.” –Jess Jensen Jess Jensen, co-founder of Co-pilot Communications, is back for the second part of this powerful conversation. In part one, she revealed why your personal story is the ultimate marketing tool. Now, she’s sharing how to put it into practice with a clear, step-by-step framework for building a digital presence that feels authentic, consistent, and achievable. From breaking through inconsistency, to leveraging AI for content ideas, to showing just the right kind of imperfection—Jess shares practical strategies small business owners can use to show up online and grow their influence. In this interview, you'll learn… How to overcome the biggest barrier to showing up online: inconsistency Why the right kind of imperfection can make you more trustworthy than polished content How AI can accelerate your content creation while still keeping your voice authentic To learn more about Jess, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. For listeners of the show, Jess is offering quick, practical 25-minute reviews for business owners and senior leaders who think their profile might be holding them back. You'll get a real-time audit and a handful of actionable next steps. Openings begin the third week of October. No cost, no catch, just clarity. Here's the booking link. Time Stamps 00:00 – Why courage & vulnerability build trust 01:25 – Simple ways to dip your toe into posting 02:20 – Why responding matters more than likes 04:04 – The real barrier: inconsistency 06:17 – How AI can help with idea generation 09:06 – Treating AI like a junior employee you train 12:08 – The psychology of showing up online 14:38 – Imperfection as a powerful differentiator 18:16 – Why collaborators & “yes/no” people matter 18:58 – Where to find Jess online & claim your free LinkedIn audit This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext! Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place.  Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who’ve already made the switch. If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you! Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!

"People are interested in other people. So you can talk about your practice or where you see perhaps the industry going down the road, but from a point of view that is informed and experienced and maybe has a little bit of vulnerability woven in.” -Jess Jensen Jess Jensen, co-founder of Co-pilot Communications, has helped leaders at Microsoft, Qualcomm, Adidas, and now small business owners across North America build their digital presence. In part one of this two-part series, she shares why personal storytelling is key to standing out in today’s crowded market. In this interview, you'll learn… Why personal voices connect more than brand voices How storytelling humanizes small businesses Ways to overcome fear & self-doubt To learn more about Jess, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. For listeners of the show, Jess Jensen is offering quick, practical 25-minute reviews for business owners and senior leaders who think their profile might be holding them back. You'll get a real-time audit and a handful of actionable next steps. Openings begin the third week of October. No cost, no catch, just clarity. Here's the booking link.   Time Stamps 00:00 – Why people connect with personal stories 01:23 – Journey from global brands to co-founding Co-pilot Communications 03:16 – Helping executives build digital platforms 04:31 – Humanizing brands through leadership voices 06:47 – Applying storytelling to small businesses 09:52 – Overcoming fear & finding your voice 13:45 – Differentiation: “Differences sell, similarities don’t” 16:08 – Step 1: Define your “audience of one” 20:28 – Step 2: Clarify what you want to stand for 24:38 – Step 3: Practice creating content & iterate 25:41 – Step 4: Build relationships in the comments 26:46 – Preview of part two: Jess’s full four-step playbook This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext! Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place.  Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who’ve already made the switch. If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you! Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!

“A woman came up to me and said, ‘You know, you really get me.’ And I thought that's really the mantra I want to kind of go with. I want people to understand that I get what they're saying. I can't be them, but I can translate the pain and the successes that they're having.” -Jennifer Kahnweiler Introverted leaders bring unique strengths to the workplace, but they’re often overlooked. In this episode, Jennifer Kahnweiler, an expert on introverted leadership, shares how introverts can thrive, influence, and lead with confidence. In this interview, you’ll learn: How the Four Ps help introverts succeed in leadership Practical ways introverts can influence without being loud How listening can become a powerful sales advantage To learn more about Jennifer, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 00:00 - Introduction to Introverted Leadership01:57 - The Journey to Understanding Introversion 05:31 - The Evolution of Introverted Leadership 11:21 - Creating Introvert-Friendly Workplaces 14:48 - The Impact of COVID on Introverts 19:42 - Navigating the Changing Workplace 21:01 - Empowering Introverts in the Workplace 22:54 - Embracing Introversion in Leadership 24:27 - The Evolution of the Introverted Leader 26:20 - The Four P's of Introverted Leadership 32:24 - Listening as a Key Skill for Introverts 38:08 - Recognizing & Valuing Personal Accomplishments This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage! Drowning in paperwork? AutoEntry lets you snap, scan, and sync receipts, invoices, and statements—so you can ditch manual entry, reduce errors, and get back to what really matters: growing your practice and delighting your clients. Learn more about AutoEntry or get started for free at Sage.com.

“ I think it's important that you go for it. You imagine what that looks like. I didn't go into this with the intention of having a big company. It happened one employee at a time. How do you get the 30 employees? Well, start with one.” -Jenny Groberg In this episode, we wrap up a two-part conversation with Jenny Groberg, founder of BookSmarts Accounting and Bookkeeping, where she shares how she turned a small team into a high-performing force, overcame personal challenges, and scaled her business to seven figures. In this episode, you’ll learn… Raising expectations & setting clear boundaries How to delegate effectively to focus on growth & leadership Adopting subscription pricing to streamline billing & boost cash flow To learn more about Jenny, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 00:01 – Transition from hobby employees to a committed team 03:55 – Personal recovery journey & building a supportive culture 05:30 – Giving back through scholarships, donations & teaching 12:36 – Shift to subscription pricing & improved cash flow 21:00 – Letting go of toxic clients to safeguard staff 26:36 – Encouragement to set big goals, delegate & believe in yourself This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage! Drowning in paperwork? AutoEntry lets you snap, scan, and sync receipts, invoices, and statements—so you can ditch manual entry, reduce errors, and get back to what really matters: growing your practice and delighting your clients. Learn more about AutoEntry or get started for free at Sage.com.

“ When I'd go on appointments I would say, ‘You know, I do work with so and so’, and then that would kind of just help them feel reassured that I knew what I was doing, but I never pretended to know everything. I would be very upfront. If there's something I don't know, let me do some research and I'll get back to you.” -Jenny Groberg Jenny Groberg, founder of BookSmarts Accounting and Bookkeeping, shares her powerful story of building a seven-figure firm from scratch. Listen to this episode to learn how small actions can lead to big wins in your bookkeeping business. In this episode, you’ll learn… How a $500 QuickBooks certification launched her business Why asking for client reviews changed everything Ways to scale while balancing family life To learn more about Jenny, click here.  Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamps 00:01 – Jenny’s start in bookkeeping with no money & two kids 02:43 – The $500 QuickBooks investment that paid off 03:32 – Asking for reviews & building credibility 08:33 – Turning small clients into long-term relationships 17:03 – Hiring the first employee & scaling the team 19:52 – Overcoming setbacks & a traumatic brain injury 31:30 – Keys to growing a seven-figure firm This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage! Drowning in paperwork? AutoEntry lets you snap, scan, and sync receipts, invoices, and statements—so you can ditch manual entry, reduce errors, and get back to what really matters: growing your practice and delighting your clients. Learn more about AutoEntry or get started for free at Sage.com.

“ One of the most famous quotes ever from Tony Robbins, this one I take with me every single day. ‘Fall out of love with yourself and fall in love with your customer and watch the magic happen’. And you gotta fall in love with your customer. When you fall out of love with what you offer or your package, and you fall in love with your customer, you have a beautiful relationship that happens.” -Lynn Gagne-Webb In this episode, we wrap up our two-part conversation with Lynn Gagne-Webb, founder of Custom Bookkeeping. Lynn dives into the challenges of pricing, managing client expectations, and building a bookkeeping business that truly fits your goals. In this episode, you’ll also learn... Why understanding communication styles can transform client relationships The pros & cons of hourly billing versus value-based pricing How to handle scope creep without burning out your team To learn more about Lynn, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 01:00 – Intro to part two with Lynn Gagne-Webb 01:44 – Trust & communication with clients 03:26 – Color coding for better communication 05:14 – Airplane analogy for pricing & expectations 08:33 – Handling clients wanting more for less 17:13 – Switching from packages to hourly rates 19:54 – Managing rising costs with the airplane model 24:14 – Flat rate questions & subscription fatigue 28:56 – Adapting to industry changes 31:43 – Focus on loving your customer 32:21 – Courses & Learn Bookkeeping Canada

“ You're on your own as a business owner. You're trying to figure out, there's no course that anybody gives you to tell you how to be a business owner.” -Lynn Gagne-Webb In the first of a two-part series, Lynn Gagne-Webb, founder of Custom Bookkeeping, shares her journey from the corporate world to running and selling a successful bookkeeping firm. As well, Lynn dives into her unique approach to building a team, and reveals how creating a culture of trust and flexibility helped her attract and keep loyal staff for years. In this episode, you’ll also learn... The struggles of being a business owner The importance of taking CEO time to review your own business health  How to focus on leading your business To learn more about Lynn, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 01:23 – Lynn shares her journey from corporate to entrepreneurship 03:37 – Lynn’s vision for supporting small business owners 04:18 – The challenges of being on your own as a business owner 05:22 – Why small businesses struggle & how lack of knowledge hurts them most 06:41 – Getting caught up in growth & forgetting to review your own numbers 07:51 – The value of CEO days & looking at your business health 08:49 – Why even bookkeepers shouldn’t do their own books 10:17 – The difference between detail-oriented & problem-solving bookkeepers 12:22 – Knowing your strengths & weaknesses as an owner 15:38 – Lynn’s hiring experiences & lessons learned in building a team 18:14 – How flexibility & trust created a loyal workforce 22:12 – The impact of culture on retention & business success

“But we just don’t have the time if we're on the gerbil wheel of doing the same thing over and over again every month is just a new month. Where do I find time to ask three or even one new question when I'm busy doing the stuff that I have to do, and we've got to focus our attention on fewer clients, but deeper work for those clients. And that's when we create the capacity to do the kind of work that matters to those clients.” -Geni Whitehouse In the finale of our two-part conversation with Geni Whitehouse, she shares practical tools and mindset shifts to help you step confidently into advisory and build stronger client relationships. In this interview, you’ll learn.. Why mindset, not skill, holds most bookkeepers back from advisory How DISC behavior styles improve client communication Why listening is your secret superpower To learn more about Geni, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 01:06 - Doing deeper work for fewer clients 03:00 - Using humor & storytelling 05:15 - DISC behavioral styles 08:18 - Listening as a key advisory skill 10:01 - Importance of aligning meeting style with client behavior 11:58 - Why Flexibility leads to more relevant outcomes for clients 14:57 - “Mindset, Toolset, Skillset” framework 15:40 - Mindset shift 17:56 - Focusing on fewer, higher-value clients 23:01 - Biggest mistake: not starting 25:50 - Prioritizing client impact over fear of failure 29:03 - Geni’s websites and how to join her training programs