Empowering Entrepreneurs

Janel Sykora, founder of Thought Leader Creative, shares her inspiring journey towards entrepreneurship and valuable insights for those looking to take the leap. She emphasizes the importance of starting a side hustle before quitting a day job and understanding one's niche and customer to add value and succeed as an entrepreneur. As someone who loves helping CPA firms achieve their goals, Sykora believes that passion and problem-solving should be the driving forces behind entrepreneurship, not just making money. With a virtual assistant, a good writer, and a business advisor, scaling a business efficiently is possible. Plus, the conversation briefly touches on the topic of closet organization, adding a touch of relatable humor.Empowering Moments06:11 Embrace what you're meant to do fearlessly.09:25 Passionate about helping accounting firms grow.11:51 Enjoys working with accountants, sees profession changing.16:08 Immerse in the community, understand, serve, and learn.16:50 Owning a business is hard work, rewarding.20:55 Delegating tasks, mentoring, and building a team.This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Empowering TakeawaysStarting a side hustle is a safe way to test the waters and see if your entrepreneurial passion aligns with what you truly enjoy.For those considering entrepreneurship, it is crucial to immerse yourself in the community you aim to serve. A new book by Amy Porterfield, "2 Weeks Notice," can serve as a valuable guide for those looking to start their own business.Being an entrepreneur is not just about making money; it's about being passionate about solving a problem or helping a certain group of people. A good CPA business adviser is the best investment a business can make. Understanding your niche and customer base, as well as niching down and specializing, opens doors for entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurial journey involves hard work and dedication. As an entrepreneur, you may find yourself working more because you're invested in the success of your business. However, the reward of helping people can be far more fulfilling than just chasing monetary gains.Consider starting with a virtual assistant (VA) to help with administrative tasks. As your business grows, look for opportunities to build a small, efficient team to support your vision and growth.A business owner should strive to understand the vision of their clients and turn it into reality. The ability to connect with clients on a deeper level and align their vision with actionable strategies is a superpower in the entrepreneurial world.To successfully transition from a corporate job to full-time entrepreneurship, it's important to strategize, understand your niche, and be open to growth and scaling. Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

The accounting industry can be a lonely and overwhelming place for many professionals. The high level of responsibility can lead to a feeling of isolation and an inability to focus on growth and expansion. However, one solution to this problem is recognizing the need for a strong operations person in the accounting firm, as Glenn Harper did after seeing the success of clients who had one.Harper, who runs the EmpowerCPA business alongside his partner Julie Smith, realized that a common factor among his most successful clients was the presence of a strong operations person, whether it was a COO or a practice manager. He recognized that he, as an accountant, was not skilled in operations and needed someone who was process-driven and organized to help the company grow."The Julie" was born.Memorable Moments00:00 Success from business to running a business.04:23 Unique accountants struggling with cohesive teamwork approach.06:53 Empower through education, brand focus, and delegation.10:59 Embracing stereotypes, operations person important in business.14:43 Accountants face tremendous responsibility and appreciation issues.18:00 Trust and empower others to know quickly.22:33 Reflecting on entrepreneurial journey and self-awareness.24:10 CPA firm focusing on entrepreneurial success and growth.This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Top Takeaways1. The transition from working "in" your business to working "on" your business is key for entrepreneurial success. 2. Finding the right operations person, like the "Julie" in this episode, can make a significant impact on the growth and success of your business.3. Recognize the need for a strong operations person to bridge the gap between you, the business owner, and your team for better cohesion and growth.4. For entrepreneurs, self-awareness, especially in communication and working styles, is essential for fostering a cohesive and effective team dynamic.5. Challenging the traditional mindset and methodologies within your industry can lead to significant positive change and growth for your business.6. Respect and accountability are crucial components for creating a successful team within a firm.7. Building a strong internal team, just like building external client relationships, can be paramount to your firm's success.8. Recognize the need to empower and trust your team, especially when you find the right operations person to help drive the business forward.9. Accountability and goal-setting play vital roles in elevating the firm beyond just daily tasks to focusing on future growth and sustainability.10. Embracing change and seeking new perspectives, such as through podcasts or networking with like-minded professionals, can have a transformative impact on your business.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper

Listeners will gain valuable insight into the challenges faced by small law firms and learn how to effectively manage a team while balancing a successful career and household responsibilities as a working mom. Guest Elle Smith, Director of Operations and Client Experience at a law firm, shares her experiences in leadership positions and emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and listening. The episode also delves into the significance of healthy conflict and tension for growth and highlights the role of an operations manager in bridging the gap between the firm owner and the employees. Entrepreneurs looking to overcome the challenges of entrepreneurship will find this podcast episode both insightful and empowering.Empowering Moments00:00 Entrepreneur podcast welcomes Elle Smith, law firm leader.04:48 Trusting colleague, open communication in new role.06:18 Challenges: culture, old vs. new firms, fear.12:27 Specialized law firm focuses solely on personal injury.15:07 Importance of effective client intake process emphasized.19:49 Ensure Chris has freedom to excel in work.21:32 Opposite personalities complement each other well.25:50 Challenging roles require open communication and accountability.28:01 Embrace discomfort, be humble, and learn.30:52 Elle's successful journey inspires and motivates entrepreneurs.This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Empowering TakeawaysThe initial client interaction sets the tone for the entire relationship. Elle Smith stresses the importance of the first call to establish trust and empathy, shedding light on the value of honing communication skills in small firms.By emphasizing a culture where everyone contributes to client satisfaction, from answering phones to handling inquiries, Elle highlights the collective responsibility of team members to prioritize client needs as a key driver for success.Forge a strong team, using hiring strategies and personality assessments. Entrepreneurs gain an understanding of how to compose a balanced team that can work together harmoniously and efficiently.Elle's position allows her partner, Chris, to concentrate on his expertise in legal matters, providing a valuable lesson on the distribution of duties between business partners to maximize each one's strength.The mutual trust between Elle and the firm owner models how entrepreneurs can empower their team members to assume more responsibility, which is critical for scaling a business.Elle's mention of having multiple assistants and process management underscores the significance of delegation and structured workflows, vital for streamlining operations in expanding businesses.The dynamic between Elle and Chris demonstrates how different personalities can complement each other, offering listeners an example of how to find balance and enhance teamwork by embracing diversity.Healthy tension and communication skills gives entrepreneurs strategies for resolving conflicts constructively, fostering an environment of understanding and productive dialogue.Entrepreneurs can learn from Elle's confidence in her decisions based on data and intentional processes, suggesting the importance of backing leadership decisions with solid evidence and strategic planning.Elle's focus on personal injury cases in her firm illustrates the advantages of specializing in a particular area of law, providing aspiring entrepreneurs with an example of how niche expertise can create a competitive edge in the market.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Genevieve Piturro shares her inspiring journey from corporate America to founding the nonprofit organization, Pajama Program. She believes in the power of human connection and finding one's purpose, and her superpower is connecting heart to heart. Piturro shares insights on balancing emotional journeys with business, teaches the importance of face-to-face communication, and helps individuals and businesses find their purpose. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking for inspiration, guidance, and practical advice on pursuing their goals and making a difference in the world.PureTax, LLC Empowering Moments06:20 Entrepreneur finds purpose, shares ups and downs.07:30 Purpose, human connection, entrepreneurship, ups and downs.12:33 Corporate experience shaped mentoring, fostered emotional growth.16:00 Caring for work and switching off at home.19:28 Entrepreneurs build support through organic relationships.20:52 Timing of confidence and leadership potential reflection.25:16 Oprah appearance was a game changer. Want global audience.29:19 Entrepreneurs need to find balance and detox.32:41 Fear of failure, letting others down, not enough.34:49 Fear of failure and self-doubt in overcoming challenges.37:33 Educating, inspiring, and consulting for purposeful success.40:53 Midlife career realizations lead to life purpose.Empowering TakeawaysTrue entrepreneurship is not just about financial gain, but about finding and fulfilling one's purpose and making a real impact in the lives of others.Success is deeply intertwined with empathy and the ability to forge meaningful, emotional connections with people.The importance of having mentors who provide guidance, support, and encouragement, which can be instrumental in navigating the complexities of entrepreneurship.Setbacks and failures are not the end of the road but rather an opportunity for learning, growth, and developing the grit needed to press on.The importance of cultivating a team and surrounding oneself with individuals who share and support your vision, enhancing the journey of entrepreneurship.Be open to accepting help, leveraging the strengths of others, and acknowledging that collaboration can lead to greater success.The challenges of managing work-life balance as an entrepreneur and the necessity of self-care and setting boundaries for personal well-being.The need for teaching and sharing life wisdom, not just business strategies, to enable young and upcoming entrepreneurs to navigate the entrepreneurial landscape more effectively.The invaluable nature of face-to-face interactions and the need for human connection in an increasingly virtual business world, as well as the balance between virtual and in-person work.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Entrepreneur Dani Beit-Or shares his journey from starting a small business in high school to pursuing his passion for real estate investing in the United States. Discover how Dani and his wife took a leap of faith, moving to California with just a few thousand dollars, driven by the promise of new opportunities. We'll discuss how Dani's company, Simply Do It Real Estate Investments, empowers investors to find success in the real estate world by simplifying the process and offering invaluable mentorship.He discusses his superpower of open communication, listening, and containing difficult situations, and how he uses it to help his clients simplify the real estate investment process. Dani emphasizes the importance of having good advisors and CPAs for entrepreneurs and offers his expertise and approachability to listeners looking for guidance in their business ventures. This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Empowering Moments04:10 Financial trigger led to successful problem-solving career.08:20 Embracing patience and communication as superpower.09:39 Encouragement and upbringing led to entrepreneurship decision.12:40 Challenging times led to reevaluating business path.16:30 Tasted freedom, work hard, success likely.28:40 Started journey with limited funds, faced challenges.34:12 Joined real estate business, became successful advisor.35:22 Simplifying real estate investment opportunities across regions.39:50 Excitement in creating programs and meeting clients.48:23 Reconnecting leads to unexpected benefits in business.51:47 Transitioning mentorship to share business knowledge.Empowering TakeawaysBuilding and maintaining long-term relationships with clients can lead to unexpected property purchases and deals, reducing the need for active solicitation.Dani Beit-Or underscores the importance of offering investment opportunities to existing clients first, showcasing loyalty and prioritizing long-term partnerships.Dani's current passion lies in mentoring and guiding others in business, leveraging his extensive real estate experience to help emerging entrepreneurs.Glenn Harper and Julie Smith discuss the essential role of good advisers and CPAs in entrepreneurship, emphasizing the need for proper accounting to manage and grow a business.The discussion highlights the difficulties many entrepreneurs face with accounting tasks, pointing out the necessity to prioritize core business activities over administrative burdens.Dani shares his experience of moving to the U.S. and how it offered an abundance of opportunities compared to Israel, driven by a desire for a successful career in a new environment.Dani sees himself as a real estate financial planner, specializing in simplifying investment opportunities and making less expensive properties accessible to clients nationwide.Dani emphasizes the importance of living up to his word with clients even years after purchases, and highlights his communication skills as his superpower in resolving crises and managing expectations.Glenn Harper discusses the evolution from pursuing financial gain to a deeper purpose of helping others achieve greatness, resonating with Dani's passion for mentoring.Dani's journey reflects early signs of entrepreneurial spirit, such as managing small businesses and problem-solving, which eventually led him away from a traditional engineering career to a fulfilling role in real estate and mentorship.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Glenn and Julie have the pleasure of chatting with the amazing Dr. Christopher H. Loo from the Financial Freedom for Physicians podcast. Together, they explore the entrepreneurial journey, focusing on how doctors and other incredibly talented folks dive into the business realm. It is a super informative discussion, full of useful tips, down-to-earth advice, and some really interesting ideas to help entrepreneurs like you make your way through the ups and downs of building and expanding your own successful business. This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Empowering Moments00:00 Realizing the shift from task to business.06:19 Honest conversations with trusted team for entrepreneurs.09:39 Define vision, roles, and communicate for success.12:39 Professionals need business skills beyond their expertise.14:05 Understanding and communicating with entrepreneurs and spouses.17:48 Understanding the importance of charging in business.20:23 Fiercely protect and build a successful culture.Empowering TakeawaysThe importance of entrepreneurs (especially physicians) stepping aside from trying to handle every aspect of their business themselves. Hiring a competent team can significantly accelerate success.Shift the focus from merely performing tasks to actively managing and growing the business. Building an organization that can flourish independently of the entrepreneur is key.Cultivate a reliable team both internally and externally (advisors and mentors) who offer honest feedback and support, essential for business growth and personal balance.Foster a culture of open and honest communication within the business. Ensure that every team member understands their role and is aligned with the company's overarching goals.Track and measure financial data accurately. Entrepreneurs need real-time data to make informed decisions, rather than running their businesses blindly or from a checkbook.Recognize and address the isolation many entrepreneurs feel. Building a supportive community around entrepreneurial struggles and successes can mitigate this feeling.Engage actively with spouses or significant others in the entrepreneurial journey. Ensuring they are informed and supportive can greatly enhance an entrepreneur's ability to succeed.Professionals, including physicians, should confidently charge fair value for their services. Understand your worth and balance your desire to help others with the need to sustain your business.Establish and fiercely protect a positive and constructive company culture by defining core values, ensuring everyone understands their roles, and addressing toxic influences quickly.Embrace the notion that running a business is a continuous learning process. Allow grace for mistakes along the way and remain flexible and adaptable to evolving circumstances.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/

Glenn Harper and Julie Smith have an inspiring discussion with successful CPA and entrepreneur Phil Yeager about his incredible journey. Phil shares his struggles and successes in his journey, and what it took to turn his vision into a successful business. He also provides invaluable lessons he has learned along the way, from pivoting to teaching classes online to finding the right employees. Hear inspiring advice from Phil on how entrepreneurs can overcome the valleys and reach the peaks.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper

Kelli Risse is a mindset coach, stress management coach, and speaker who has a master's degree in dance education was an elementary educator for 15 years and started a direct sales health and wellness business before beginning her own coaching business.Kelli created a weekly porch dance routine during the 2020 pandemic to bring joy to her community and left teaching to pursue a career in direct sales and eventually start her own business. Kelli believes that the current generation needs to be taught how to use stress in a positive way and to be resilient. Overcoming her fear of what other people would think of her by surrounding herself with like-minded people and mentors, Kelli found it difficult to adjust to working alone and had to find ways to stay motivated and productive.Kelli also believes that marketing is more important than selling and that there is no endgame for entrepreneurs. Her superpower is asking the right questions to help people make the changes they want in their lives, which she does by helping her clients get rid of limiting beliefs and inner conflicts. Kelli offers a one-day deep dive breakthrough and a complimentary 30-minute strategy session to help people with their goals.It is an inspiring conversation, and we are so glad we had the opportunity to speak with Kelli. www.riseupandlivewellness.comRunning a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper

We had a couple of interesting things happen over the past week. A few articles came out and they just kind of corroborated some things that we hear our new clients say when they come into our advisory office. One of them is that 70% of entrepreneurs and small business owners do not have an accountant.Most entrepreneurs handle "the books" themselves. But what it comes down to is that even if you can type in data, are you putting it in the right spot? Is it going to generate a report that's going to tell you something that's relevant?If you're just entering data into a program and then you just enter that in your tax return, of course, that is a function that needs to be done. But if you're not interpreting that, if you're not looking at things and trying to find out what our margin really is, say, are you really profitable in this division? What are you really making a profit at? Why are these expenses higher or lower? Are you the right entity type? What's your tax situation?This happens if you're just literally throwing data against the wall and then doing a tax return. And as an entrepreneur and you don't even know if it's in the right category, how can you possibly assess how your business is doing?Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper

It's a new year and a new beginning for all of us as entrepreneurs. Here's our opportunity to start the year in the right direction.In this episode, we talk about the importance of planning and goal setting, the benefits of engaging with and seeking advice from trusted advisors, and how to create and implement a personal and business manifesto. We dive into the unique challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship and empower aspiring entrepreneurs to take action and bring their vision to life. We hope you will walk away with the knowledge and motivation to make the most of your entrepreneurial pursuits in the new year and beyond.Empowering Moments00:00 Podcast interviews entrepreneurs who provide valuable insight.05:12 Engage trusted advisors for a broader business perspective.07:06 Strategizing involves shared brainstorming and accountability.10:07 Plan, purpose, and leadership drive success.This episode is brought to you by PureTax, LLC. Tax preparation services without the pressure. When all you need is to get your tax return done, take the stress out of tax season by working with a firm that has simplified the process and the pricing. Find out more about how we started.Empowering Takeaways1. **Yearly Review**: - Importance: Take time to review the previous year’s financials and operations. - Actionable: Assess revenue sources, profit margins, expenses, and taxes.2. **Operational Efficiency**: - Importance: Ensure your organization runs lean and efficiently. - Actionable: Evaluate if the right people are in the right roles to maximize strengths and minimize weaknesses.3. **Comparative Analysis**: - Importance: Use year-to-year comparative statements to understand trends. - Actionable: Identify areas of improvement or growth by comparing multiple years' financials.4. **Personal and Professional Goals**: - Importance: Plan both personal and professional goals for the upcoming year. - Actionable: Think about improving as an individual, including health, leadership, and personal roles.5. **Detailed Planning**: - Importance: Create a concrete plan with specific goals and timelines. - Actionable: Write down 30-, 90-, and 120-day goals and share them with trusted advisors or accountability partners.6. **Engage Trusted Advisors**: - Importance: Utilize a team of professionals (CPA, financial advisors) to offer different perspectives. - Actionable: Regularly consult with advisors to identify blind spots and opportunities for improvement.7. **Time Management**: - Importance: Entrepreneurs must prioritize time to plan, review, and execute. - Actionable: Dedicate a few hours for high-level strategic planning to avoid being stuck in everyday tasks.8. **Delegation**: - Importance: Recognize what tasks can be delegated to free up time for strategic thinking. - Actionable: Identify team members or external resources to handle non-essential tasks.9. **Execution of Plans**: - Importance: A well-thought-out plan is useless if not implemented. - Actionable: Commit to executing the plan with regular reviews and adjustments as needed.10. **Positive Mindset and Manifestation**: - Importance: Believe in your goals and manifest success through written and shared plans. - Actionable: Maintain a proactive approach, writing down goals, and visualizing success to stay motivated and focused.Running a business doesn’t have to run your life.Without a business partner who holds you accountable, it’s easy to be so busy ‘doing’ business that you don’t have the right strategy to grow your business.Stop letting your business run you. At Harper & Co CPA Plus, we know that you want to be empowered to build the lifestyle you envision. In order to do that you need a clear path to follow for successOur clients enjoy a proactive partnership with us. Schedule a consultation with us today.Download our free guide - Entrepreneurial Success Formula: How to Avoid Managing Your Business From Your Bank Account.Copyright 2025 Glenn Harper https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/