"You learn, you read, you surround yourself with other people. Don't stay isolated behind your computer. You come to things like this. You join groups, you learn what other people are doing, and a lot of it is just understanding the value yourself."
-Lisa Campbell

Lisa Campbell, author of Beyond Bookkeeping and longtime bookkeeping mentor, joins host Michael Palmer for a special two-episode series recorded live at Accountex Canada 2025 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. She shares how a single "midnight moment" pushed her to rebuild her business, break free from burnout, and step confidently into advisory work.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• What finally broke the cycle of burnout & overwork
• How systemizing business unlocked time, freedom & new opportunities
• Why shifting from compliance to advisory starts with mindset

To learn more about Lisa, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Order a copy of Beyond Bookkeeping.

Time Stamp

01:16 – Lisa shares her "midnight moment" & the push to change everything
03:14 – The shift from having a job to building a business
06:16 – How burnout & overwork showed up in her daily life
07:03 – The mindset change that unlocked growth
08:12 – What "beyond bookkeeping" really means
09:17 – The moment she realized her systems were working
10:26 – How long it took to make the shift & why timing is different for everyone
11:46 – Breaking through time constraints & building structure
12:44 – How she stayed connected to her why during tough seasons
15:11 – How Profit First transformed her business & her clients'
16:20 – Why more clients doesn't equal more profit
18:10 – Moving from hourly work to value & subscription pricing
18:53 – The hidden gold bookkeepers give away for free
20:12 – Why learning, community & awareness help you charge your value
21:23 – Lisa's exercise to uncover value adds
24:12 – How she rewired her thinking & found new opportunities
25:16 – Shifting from compliance work to advisory
26:50 – Building an ecosystem for the entire client journey

" You do not want a business that is entirely dependent on you. You want an independent running business."
-Ron Bester

Ron Bester, VP of Client Experience at Successful Bookkeeper Global, breaks down why so many bookkeepers feel buried in day-to-day work and how the SODA framework helps you reclaim time, reduce stress, and build a business that doesn't rely on you to survive.

In this episode, you'll learn…

• How to spot where your time is leaking & fix it
• Build simple systems that remove bottlenecks
• Use automation to cut repetitive tasks & free up hours

Connect with Ron on LinkedIn.

Time Stamp

00:00 – Why running a business is different from doing work you enjoy
03:00 – The common pitfalls small business owners face
07:00 – Why every business needs a plan, systems & an exit strategy
10:00 – Introduction to the SODA framework
12:00 – Systemize: building processes that create consistency
15:00 – Outsource: letting experts handle non-core work
17:00 – Delegate: breaking the "only I can do it" mindset
20:00 – Automate: using tech to remove repetitive tasks
23:00 – The biggest transformation bookkeepers experience with SODA
26:00 – Early wins & what shifts first
28:00 – Why most owners don't realize they are the bottleneck
30:00 – One small action you can take today
31:00 – How the SODA pre-checklist and intensive work
33:00 – Building a business that runs independently of you

"Like this is not just a gig, but this is my career. You grow into wanting more of that for your clients and you start recognizing if a client isn't about that. The last thing I want is just agree to do a subpar job because a client doesn't really care and then they decide to care in two years and they look back at the history and they're like, 'This has been a mess.'"
-Christina Springstead

Christina Springstead, owner and founder of Springstead Solutions, returns to share what she's learned from handling complex cleanups and growing her business with intention. From refining systems to managing client expectations, Christina explains how bookkeepers can balance quality, communication, and growth—without burning out.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• How to spot hidden issues in cleanup projects before you quote
• Why communication & transparency build client trust
• How to manage pushback & set professional boundaries

To learn more about Christina and Springstead Solutions, here.

Connect with her on Linkedin.

Time Stamp

02:13 – Christina shares her background & path back to bookkeeping
04:34 – Lessons learned from recent cleanup projects
06:00 – The hidden costs of missing bank feed data & auto rules
07:42 – When CPA journal entries hide deeper problems
09:51 – How cleanup checklists evolved into better systems
10:51 – Why deeper diagnostic reviews protect both client & bookkeeper
12:06 – Expecting problems: guilty until proven innocent approach
13:01 – When "accurate" AR & AP numbers aren't accurate at all
14:45 – The danger of ignoring small errors today
15:34 – How to handle client pushback with transparency & purpose
16:22 – Choosing clients who care about accurate books
17:13 – Why clean books protect long-term business value
18:20 – Setting boundaries & recognizing red flags in clients
19:47 – The difference between hobby clients & business-minded ones
20:26 – Holding clients accountable for financial quality
21:02 – Managing stress & staying flexible during heavy work periods
22:45 – Communicating delays honestly with clients
23:57 – Building trust through consistency & openness
25:41 – Why clear communication increases client value perception
27:01 – Real client story: turning nonprofit chaos into clarity
28:55 – How bookkeeping education empowers boards & leaders
31:21 – Hiring a VA and assistant to buy back time & focus
32:53 – Building a business around your lifestyle, not fear
33:41 – Manifesting growth & designing your dream business
35:03 – Recommended books: Who Not How & Buy Back Your Time
37:33 – Why mindset, focus& vision drive real success
40:12 – How the new Summit experience connects the bookkeeping community

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