“People came to me thinking that I was an expert. They saw the posts that I was posting about bookkeeping for law firms, and they already had buy-in to use my services. So I didn't need to sell them that much. I just needed to prove that I was a real person. I don't want to be out there selling my services. I want people coming to me already sold on my services.”
-Brandy Derrick

Brandy Derrick, owner of Legal Ease Bookkeeping, discusses her journey from learning bookkeeping for her father’s business to building a successful virtual firm specializing in law firms. Brandy shares how she overcame self-doubt, found her niche, and leveraged online marketing to grow her business while working remotely—even from a sailboat!

You'll also learn...

• The role of LinkedIn, YouTube & referrals in client acquisition strategy
• Why niching down simplifies marketing, sales & client trust
• The importance of persistence, overcoming self-doubt & finding a support system

To learn more about Brandy & Legal Ease Bookkeeping, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Time Stamp:

01:00 – Brandy’s background & start in bookkeeping
03:00 – Challenges of working remotely without reliable internet
08:00 – Getting clients as a new bookkeeper
14:00 – Narrowing focus & building a niche in legal bookkeeping
17:00 – The role of Google Ads in business growth
21:00 – LinkedIn & Referral Marketing Strategy
30:00 – The power of offline marketing
38:00 – The value of niching in bookkeeping
42:00 – Overcoming challenges & growing confidence
45:00 – Final thoughts & where to find Brandy

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“In the bookkeeping and accounting world, if someone gets sick and that client can't get what they need, they just get back into the universe and another bookkeeper picks them up. So you lose everything.”
-Christine Siegenthaler

Christine Siegenthaler, founder of Succession Security, discusses the importance of contingency planning for solo bookkeepers and small bookkeeping firms. She shares how Succession Security helps ensure businesses continue operating during unexpected events like illness, injury, or even death.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• Why contingency planning is essential
• How technology enables seamless business continuity
• Steps to secure your business

To find out more about Christine, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

To learn how Succession Security can help you, visit SuccessionSecurity.com.

Time Stamp

00:37 - Why solo bookkeepers need a contingency plan
01:52 - Risks of losing clients without a backup plan
03:22 - Importance of documentation and access to critical accounts
04:07 - Using cloud-based technology for seamless transitions
07:30 - The role of internet and cloud-based services in contingency planning
13:35 - Finding and trusting the right person to help manage your business
15:04 - The personal nature of bookkeeping and why AI can’t replace human interaction
17:23 - The challenge of bookkeepers taking time off – business doesn't stop
19:31 - Legal considerations and recommended insurance coverage
21:22 - Best practices for security, encryption, and protecting client data
24:14 - How proactive planning ensures business continuity and client security
29:05 - The importance of designating an emergency point of contact
30:05 - How to get started with Succession Security and where to learn more

“If it's consistently where you're feeling behind like you can never get on top of your to-do list, that you're always having to reschedule stuff for tomorrow, that's probably a sign that you have too much work on your plate. That's a sign that you could use more help within your business.”
-Jamie Van Cuyk

Jamie Van Cuyk, owner of Growing Your Team, joins the podcast to help solo bookkeepers and small business owners master hiring and delegation. She shares practical strategies for building a strong team, improving efficiency, and setting up a business for long-term success.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Common delegation mistakes & how to avoid them
• How to create a job post that attracts the right candidates
• The difference between micromanaging & effective leadership

To learn more about Jamie, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Time Stamp

01:07 - Jamie Van Cuyk’s background
02:57 - Common fears around delegation
06:22 - The mindset shift needed to delegate effectively
10:42 - Key signs to hire & delegate tasks in your business
14:05 - How shifting from control to trust can create freedom & growth
20:06 - The importance of clear processes & training when delegating tasks
26:45 - How to determine what tasks to delegate
32:25 - Steps in hiring the right person & avoiding common mistakes
35:14 - Real success stories
39:58 - How to connect with Jamie for hiring support
41:33 - Business-building resources

“I remember being on Zoom and we saw our colleagues' children, people got personal and talked about the health challenges they were dealing with or that a family member was dealing with. I saw leaders and bosses having to have that same transparency. It was human to human. Since the workplace has evolved, employees are expecting that same transparency. They're expecting the same collaboration. And what they want specifically for the next generation of workers is the ability to contribute meaningfully to the decisions that impact their work.”
-Dr. Angela Jackson

Dr. Angela Jackson, founder of Future Forward Strategies and author of The Win-Win Workplace, shares how investing in employee well-being can boost productivity, profitability, and retention. She explains why traditional top-down management no longer works and how small businesses can create thriving workplaces by listening to employees and offering flexibility.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• Why empowering employees leads to 23% higher profitability
• How small businesses can compete with larger firms by offering flexibility
• How to measure the ROI of employee engagement

To learn more about Angela, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

To order her book, The Win-Win Workplace, visit this link.

Time Stamp

02:00 - Dr. Angela Jackson and her background
04:50 - Career journey and inspiration behind The Win-Win Workplace
04:51 - Research on aligning employee well-being with business success
08:39 - Why top-down decision-making is outdated
13:59 - The importance of flexibility in modern workplaces
19:01 - Small bookkeeping firm example of flexible work policies
24:01 - Offering meaningful benefits to boost retention
29:01 - Addressing benefit abuse and tracking productivity
33:01 - Key employee metrics and how to access the book

“Money is an energetic source in our world. When you get it, you feel really good, and when it leaves, you feel very bad. That's an energy. That's an exchange.”
-Lou Clarke

Lou Clarke, who is a CFO and profit strategist, discusses the power of confidence, pricing strategies, and how bookkeepers can shift into advisory roles to better serve clients. She also explains the importance of understanding money dynamics and building a business that truly thrives.

To learn more about Lou, click here.

Follow her on Instagram.

Time Stamp

01:10 - Lou’s Journey into Bookkeeping
03:30 - Early Business Growth & Pricing Challenges
06:40 - Losing a Major Client & Financial Struggles
10:00 - The Road to Financial Recovery
15:00 - Finding Clients & Business Growth Strategies
20:30 - Pricing for Value & Selling Results
25:10 - Confidence & Business Success
30:00 - Transitioning to Advisory & Profit First
35:50 - Understanding the Energetics of Money
40:20 - What’s Next for Lou
45:00 - How to Connect with Lou

“If a majority of your leads come from LinkedIn, that's great, and you should keep doing that. But it doesn't hurt to diversify and to make sure that you have a couple of lead sources to pull in from different avenues.”
-Kristen Corey

Kristen Corey, founder of Media Books, dives into the importance of a well-designed website, how to make your firm stand out online, and common pitfalls to avoid.

In this interview, you'll also learn:

• Why a website builds trust & credibility
• How to turn visitors into loyal clients
• The best platforms for an easy-to-manage site

Plus much more!

To learn more about Kristen, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Time Stamp

00:28 – Kristen’s journey from accounting to marketing
02:33 – Founding Media Books to help bookkeepers
04:21 – Common marketing struggles for bookkeepers
06:11 – Why websites matter for bookkeeping businesses
08:53 – The importance of an About page
10:44 – Choosing the best website platform
13:42 – Questions to ask when hiring a web designer
17:24 – The role of SEO in the AI era
20:35 – How websites improve user experience
24:15 – Common website mistakes to avoid
26:33 – Must-have features for bookkeeping websites
28:33 – Ensuring a website is user-friendly
31:48 – Pitfalls to avoid in website building
32:59 – Media Books’ website design process
35:01 – Client success story

“My workflow was going to tell me exactly what I needed to do that day. And I very intentionally and very consciously grounded myself into my work and into that routine and into that process, because that was the one thing in my life that was certain. My business got me through that time, that certainty and that control when everything else was so chaotic.”
- Stephanie Kelcey

Stephanie Kelcey, owner of Capture Bookkeeping, shares her journey of navigating major life transitions while building a successful bookkeeping business. She opens up about overcoming personal challenges, restructuring her business for efficiency, and the mindset shifts that helped her find stability and growth.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• How systems & workflows can create stability during life transitions

• Why mindset shifts are crucial for financial success

• The impact of community and support networks on business growth

Plus much more!

Connect with Stephanie on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Capture Bookkeeping here.

Time Stamp:

00:39 – Journey into bookkeeping & business growth
02:56 – Navigating personal challenges
04:13 – The importance of support
09:54 – Coping mechanisms
12:56 – Creating space in business & shifting to an advisory model
17:17 – Mindset shifts in business, financial growth & client empowerment
22:02 – Financial mindset shifts
26:21 – Systems, hiring & structuring workflows for stability
30:09 – Focusing on rest, personal growth& financial education
32:41 – Implementing a CRM system & improving work-life balance
34:50 – Business success, community & learning

This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Hub Analytics!

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“I don't see a world where the profession of accounting is totally taken over by AI. There'll always be that need for human touch and validation because we do audits and we need to make sure that we get their taxes right. So I would just say, embrace it, think about how it's going to give you that better work-life balance, and then just go for it. Give it a try.”
-Karen Ainley

Karen Ainley, Head of the Accountants Business Unit at Sage, dives into how AI, automation, and digitization are transforming the bookkeeping and accounting profession. She shares key insights from the Practice of Now report, offering practical advice on embracing change, building client relationships, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• How AI & automation enhance efficiency & client service
• The shifting role of bookkeepers from historical reporting to advisory services
• Why client expectations demand tech-savvy professionals today
  

Connect with Karen on LinkedIn.

Time Stamp:

01:19 - Overview of the Practice of Now report
02:13 - Key findings: skills, AI & client relationships
03:36 - How AI improves workloads & work-life balance
06:18 - Evolving client expectations & demand for tech-savvy services
09:01 - Global tax digitization trends & their impact
13:08 - Shift to subscription models & value-based pricing
16:59 - Advisory services replacing traditional bookkeeping
19:25 - How small practices can compete with AI tools
21:40 - Sage Copilot’s features: anomaly detection & automation
26:00 - Karen’s advice: embrace technology & take action
27:39 - How Sage supports bookkeepers with tools & resources
29:16 - Closing remarks & resources for listeners

This episode is brought to you by our great friends at Sage!

On February 13th at 12pm ET, Sage will be presenting its webinar, Practice of Now: How To Plan Your Practice for 2025 & Beyond, to our community.

It'll cover The Practice of Now global insights study to help you plan your role and practice for the future.

During this webinar, you’ll learn:

• Current trends that are changing the profession
• The biggest opportunity to take in the next 12 months
• Key actions that all accountants and bookkeepers should be considering

Plus much more!

REGISTER NOW before it's too late!