In this episode of Ambition Aligned, host Devon Coombs, CPA, sits down with Shane Clark, a CPA who transitioned from a high-stress job with 75-hour work weeks to running a successful and family-centered tax practice in Los Angeles. Shane shares his journey from working at a big accounting firm to joining his father's small tax firm and the nuances of balancing professional ambitions with a fulfilling personal life. This conversation covers essential financial topics, such as tax strategies for high earners, the benefits of starting your own business, and the practical steps to avoid lifestyle creep. Shane also discusses the importance of setting and sticking to long-term goals, smart retirement planning, and the advantages of small business ownership. Don't miss this practical and insightful discussion loaded with wisdom from someone who has successfully navigated the path to financial freedom while maintaining a balanced life.00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage00:39 Meet Shane Clark: From Burnout to Thriving01:38 Shane's Journey: From Big Firm to Family Business05:52 Balancing Work and Life: Shane's Approach10:53 The Importance of Setting Goals17:06 Devon's Career Shift and Reflections21:52 Tax Strategies for High Earners26:00 Transitioning from W2 to Business Ownership26:26 Tax Benefits for Business Owners27:25 Maximizing Retirement Contributions30:26 Strategic Financial Planning32:09 Lifestyle Choices and Financial Freedom37:10 Tax Strategies for Business Owners42:26 Common Tax Misconceptions44:57 Rapid Fire Questions47:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Join us on this episode of Ambition Align where we dive deep into the entrepreneurial journey of Claire, the CEO and founder of Kipsy. With over 10 years of experience transitioning from Deloitte to BlackLine, then to a startup, and finally founding her own company, Claire shares invaluable insights. Find out about her innovative approach to leadership, the importance of maintaining a customer-first mindset, and how persevering through challenge after challenge brought Kipsy to where it is today. Learn about the behind-the-scenes of building and scaling a tech company, navigating mentorships, finding the right co-founder, and the essential lessons on maintaining work-life balance. Don’t miss out on this enlightening conversation!

00:00 Introduction to Success and Learning

00:18 Expensive Mistakes and Organizational Truths

00:34 Interview with Claire: Journey to Founding Kipsy

01:52 From Deloitte to BlackLine: Career Pivot

03:34 The Importance of Tools and Culture in Audit

06:55 Joining Lilt for Hands-On Experience

17:29 The Catalyst for Starting Kipsy22:05

Building Kipsy: From Idea to Execution

31:20 The Journey to the First Customer

33:01 Building Trust Through Feedback

38:57 Challenges and Growth in the Early Years

42:18 Balancing Personal and Professional Life

47:01 Fundraising and Strategic Decisions

54:57 Final Thoughts and Advice

What if the biggest risk in your business wasn’t the idea—but the people you partner with?In this raw and practical episode of Ambition Aligned, Nickolaus Violin, founder & CEO of Konnekted, shares the behind-the-scenes journey of launching a flexible workspace business—and what nearly destroyed it. From real estate deals gone wrong to navigating ruthless landlords and delayed permits, Nick opens up about trust, betrayal, startup resilience, and the lessons he wishes he learned sooner.We also unpack:Why you should never trust a handshake (and what to do instead)How to protect yourself in business partnerships—even with friendsWhat makes or breaks a co-working startupWhy lawyers are non-negotiable (and no, ChatGPT can’t replace them)How to recognize the line between optimism and delusion as a founderThis is a masterclass in calculated risk, humility, and building something that actually serves the modern professional.🔗 Learn more about Nickolaus and Konnekted: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickolausviolin/📣 Want more founder stories & practical leadership insights? Like, comment, and subscribe.Website: https://devoncoombs.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs/#StartupLessons #RealEstateDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #BusinessPartnerships #AmbitionAligned

AI writing tools are flooding professional workflows—but what if they’re silently making your legal and financial docs worse?In this episode of Ambition Aligned, I sit down with Ray Sang, CPA, CISA, CITP—founder of Inkwise.ai and Chipmunk Robotics, former Revenue Director at Elastic and Deal Controller at Google, and current law student at Fordham.Ray is building the most human-centered AI writing platform for professionals in law, accounting, and finance—and he’s here to explain why most AI-generated memos, contracts, and reports are deeply flawed.We cover:Why AI can't yet replace expert writers (and how it can assist)How Inkwise gives you precision, sourcing, and human-first controlThe biggest red flags in AI-generated writingWhat professional-grade drafting with AI should actually look likeLIVE demo: Watch Ray draft a real ASC 606 memo using AIThis is the episode for you if you work in legal, accounting, finance, or compliance and want to use AI without sacrificing quality or ethics.🔗 Try Inkwise: https://inkwise.ai🔗 Connect with Ray: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raysang🔗 Learn more from Devon: https://www.devoncoombs.com | https://www.linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs/Subscribe for more deep-dive convos at the intersection of purpose, leadership, and innovation.#LegalTech #FinTech #AItools #Accounting #AmbitionAligned

She was denied stress leave. Her workplace gaslit her. Now she's a bestseller and a top coach.In this powerful episode of Ambition Aligned, nurse leader-turned-entrepreneur Sara Fung shares how she walked away from a toxic healthcare system, built a thriving business from scratch, became a top podcast host (The Gritty Nurse), and hit #1 on Canada’s bestseller lists—all while raising kids and recovering from burnout.We unpack:Why leaving for less money can give you more lifeThe dark reality of healthcare work culture (pump rooms on toilets, toxic “leadership”)How Sara used podcasting and community to rebuild her careerTurning burnout into a platform for change—and profitPractical mindset shifts for stuck professionals (in any industry)If you're a high performer trapped in a job that’s breaking you—this conversation will shift something in you.🔗 Connect with Sara:Website: www.sarafung.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramfung/Career coaching: https://www.thernresume.com/Podcast: www.grittynurse.comBook: http://harpercollins.ca/9781443468718/the-wisdom-of-nurses/🔗 Connect with Devon:devoncoombs.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs/👇 Like, comment, and subscribe if this resonated with you.#Leadership #BurnoutRecovery #CareerChange #Nursing #AmbitionAligned

Everyone knows the numbers are off. But no one’s talking about why.In this explosive conversation, Blake Oliver — CPA, founder of Earmark CPE, and host of the #1 accounting podcast in the world — joins Devon Coombs to expose the hidden crisis destroying trust, ethics, and sustainability in the accounting profession.We unpack:Secret time sheets and the lies firms rewardHow burnout is built into the system by designWhy CPE and training have become a jokeRevenue recognition games that inflate earningsThe cultural rot infecting public accounting—and how to fix itThis isn’t just for CPAs. If you’ve ever worked in a broken system, felt punished for telling the truth, or wondered why honest people burn out… this episode will hit home.🎧 Watch, share, and subscribe for more truth-driven leadership convos.🔗 More at: devoncoombs.com🔗 Connect: linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs#accounting #burnout #leadership #cpa #ethics

Get a 25% discount on TABot's AI Software using the code DEVON25.In this episode of Ambition Aligned, I sit down with Nina and Harton—two high-achievers who left lucrative careers at Google and Big 4 firms to build TA Bot, an AI-powered co-pilot for technical accountants.We talk about:Why they walked away from stability to chase purposeHow they’re using fine-tuned AI to save hundreds of hours in audit and memo prepThe shocking truth about AI hallucinations in accounting (and how they fixed it)What it really takes to start a lean startup in a regulated spaceHow Series B+ CFOs and controllers are using their tool for real ROITheir journey is equal parts practical, emotional, and inspiring—a must-watch for anyone interested in leadership, innovation, or entrepreneurship in the AI era.📩 Interested in partnering or joining the beta? Visit https://www.tabot.info🌐 Learn more at: devoncoombs.com🔗 Connect with me: linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs#Leadership #AccountingAI #StartupLife #AuditTech #AmbitionAligned

Most promotions come with a dangerous lie: you’re ready.In reality? You're stepping into a role you were never trained for.In this episode of Ambition Aligned, executive coach Kent Frazier (ex-Korn Ferry, Cargill, Buffalo Wild Wings) breaks down why top performers often fail upward—and what to do instead.We explore:Why being good at your job makes you a bad managerThe invisible shift from contributor to leaderOptics vs. outcomes: the trap of trying to “look” successfulHow to win influence before you “need” itThe 90-day playbook every new leader should followIf you've been recently promoted—or are gunning for it—this is the conversation you can’t afford to skip. No fluff. No theory. Just real talk from the trenches of leadership development.🎧 Subscribe, leave a comment with your biggest takeaway, and share with a new leader who needs this!📍More from Kent: kent.coach.com🌐 More from Devon: devoncoombs.com🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/devoncoombs#leadershipdevelopment #newleaders #promotiontrap #executivecoaching #ambitionaligned