Meet Joe!

In this conversation, Joe Manganelli shares his journey from working at Goldman Sachs to founding and scaling Calculate, an outsourced accounting firm, and now leading Amalgam, a data aggregation and automation platform for the accounting industry.

He discusses the importance of building relationships in business, the value of smaller conferences, and the role of automation in enhancing efficiency within accounting practices. Joe emphasizes the need for persistence and trust in business, and he provides insights into the challenges and successes he faced while growing his ventures.

Takeaways

- Joe emphasizes the importance of building relationships in business.

- Conferences can be valuable for networking and relationship building.

- Trust is the cornerstone of successful sales in accounting.

- Automation can significantly reduce manual work in accounting.

- Persistence and time are crucial for business growth.

- Joe's experience at Goldman Sachs shaped his approach to business.

- Launching Calculate was a pivotal moment in Joe's career.

- The growth of Calculate was driven by quality work and client referrals.

- Amalgam aims to streamline data processes for accountants.

- Joe believes in the value of continuous learning and adaptation.

Sound Bites

"Give it time and persistence."

"Automation is the way forward."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Joe Manganielli and Amalgam

02:49 The Value of Conferences in Building Relationships

05:41 Journey from Engineering to Accounting

08:30 Experiences at Goldman Sachs

11:13 Launching Calculate: The Early Days

14:04 Growth and Success of Calculate

17:01 Recruitment Strategies for Rapid Growth

19:47 Niche Hiring and Employee Integration

22:42 Deciding to Sell Calculate

25:21 Reflections on the Sale and Future Plans

27:20 Navigating the M&A Process

30:40 Lessons from Selling a Business

31:33 Introducing Amalgam: A New Venture

36:58 The Role of Automation in Accounting

41:40 Future Goals and Entrepreneurial Spirit

42:45 Advice for New Accountants

46:29 Personal Insights and Rapid Fire Questions

Connect with Joe:

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemanganelli/

Amalgam - http://www.amalgam.me

Meet Justine!

In this episode of Protea Conversations, host Zane Stevens welcomes Justine Lackey, a pioneer in the virtual bookkeeping industry. Justine shares her journey from starting a business to successfully selling it, offering valuable insights and lessons learned along the way.

The Accidental Entrepreneur

Justine's entry into the world of bookkeeping was unplanned, beginning with her work in New York City's creative industry. She discusses the transition from in-person bookkeeping to virtual services, driven by personal circumstances and the evolving business landscape.

Building and Growing Good Cents Management

Justine reflects on the growth of her business, from a small operation to a thriving firm. The importance of asking questions and continuous learning in her journey. How she maintained strong client relationships and built a reputation for reliability and excellence.

The Decision to Sell

Justine shares her thought process behind deciding to sell her business, including personal and professional considerations. The challenges and strategies involved in preparing a business for sale. Insights into the selling process, including working with brokers and finding the right buyer.

Lessons Learned and Future

Endeavors Key takeaways from Justine's experience, including the importance of client retention and communication. Her transition to mentoring and educating other entrepreneurs through the Bookkeepers Business Incubator. The role of community and support networks in professional success.

Quotes:

"Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it's a sign of strength."

"Your relationships are your equity."

Justine's story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and the willingness to learn. Her journey offers valuable lessons for entrepreneurs at any stage of their business journey.

Tune in to hear Justine's full story and gain insights into the process of selling a business, the importance of community, and the value of continuous learning.

Connect with Justine:

LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinelackey/

Meet Erin!

In this episode of Protea Conversations, Zane interviews Erin Pohan, founder of Upkeeping, who shares her unique journey from customer service to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the accounting industry.

They discuss the importance of intentional growth, the challenges of pursuing a CPA, and the significance of creating relevant educational content.

Erin also talks about her experiences in public accounting, the launch of her own bookkeeping firm, and the community-building efforts through the Wave Seattle conference. The conversation emphasizes the value of connections, mindset, and the entrepreneurial spirit in the accounting world.

Takeaways

- Erin transitioned from customer service to accounting after discovering her passion for it.

- She emphasizes the importance of making accounting relevant and understandable.

- Erin's journey includes significant international experience while working in Japan.

- She faced challenges in passing the CPA exam but found success in her own firm.

- Creating educational content is a way to contribute to the future of accounting.

- Erin started Upkeeping after attending a bookkeeping workshop and quickly gained clients.

- Her firm serves a diverse client base, focusing on joy in the work.

- Continuous improvement in client communication is a key goal for Erin's business.

- Building a supportive team has been crucial for managing workload and stress.

- Networking through social media has helped Erin find her community in the accounting industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Modern Accounting

02:26 The Journey to Accounting

06:12 Career Development in Public Accounting

08:50 Life and Work in Japan

10:59 Remote Learning Experience

12:02 Navigating CPA Aspirations

16:03 Creating Educational Content

19:56 Becoming an Entrepreneur

21:12 Growth of Upkeeping

23:16 Client Base and Niche Exploration

24:58 Future Goals and Continuous Improvement

27:05 Navigating Burnout and Team Support

32:19 Creating Connections Through Conferences

37:43 The Importance of Vulnerability in Business

42:37 Long-Term Goals and Future Aspirations

44:40 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Connect with Erin: LinkedIn personal - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinpohan/