The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast

"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