"The more intentional you get with your money, the more intentional you get with your time as well."
-Jennifer Hume

In our 500th episode, Jennifer Hume, owner of Coronation Bookkeeping & Tax Services, shares how she built a successful virtual bookkeeping firm and expanded into coaching for real estate professionals. She reveals what worked, what didn't, and how she uses systems, marketing, and speaking to grow her business with purpose and profitability.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• How niching and storytelling drive growth and confidence
• Why systems are essential for scaling
• How Jennifer built a $250K firm through referrals

To learn more about Jennifer, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Time Stamp

02:03 – Jennifer's journey from family business to starting her own bookkeeping firm
05:28 – Lessons learned from her father's failed business & what she'd do differently
06:08 – The importance of systems & Profit First for building a strong foundation
07:49 – Transitioning from data entry to leadership & advisory work
08:16 – How Jennifer built a $250K firm through referrals & strong processes
10:45 – Learning to market intentionally & step outside her comfort zone
13:03 – Building referral partnerships with accountants & real estate brokerages
15:07 – Overcoming fear & learning to pick up the phone to grow the business
17:07 – How niching into real estate transformed her business
19:42 – Why specializing makes marketing easier & attracts better clients
21:07 – What marketing tactics didn't work (and what to watch out for)
22:08 – Email marketing & newsletters that actually connect
24:55 – How creating a professional speaker's reel set her apart
26:44 – The power of storytelling on stage & building confidence through speaking
30:12 – Using AI tools like ChatGPT to craft speeches & prompts quickly
33:22 – Building a coaching business for real estate professionals
34:56 – Why 90% of realtors quit within five years & how coaching helps
35:40 – How financial & time habits create happier, more balanced lives
37:32 – Where to find & connect with Jennifer online

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

Imagine having all your financial data in one place, with real-time analytics and customized reports at your fingertips.

Hub Analytics is a financial platform that streamlines bookkeeping operations, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality results for your clients. With Hub's easy-to-use tools, you'll save time, reduce errors, and gain deeper insights into your clients' financials!

Ready to take your bookkeeping to the next level?

Book a demo to learn more and start your FREE trial TODAY!

"The number one driver of small to medium sized businesses not making it is cash flow problems. It's not that they're not profitable. This is the big thing with net cash that most people don't realize, is that you can run a profitable business and run out of money."
-Tommy Vincent

In this spotlight episode, Tommy Vincent, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Hub Analytics, returns to share how bookkeepers can confidently step into advisory by focusing on just 3 key metrics. He explains how to measure, track, and present them to clients in a way that builds trust and drives business growth.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• The 3 metrics every bookkeeper should track
• Why consistency matters more than dozens of KPIs
• How net equity shows a business owner's true wealth

To learn more about Hub Analytics, click here.

Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn.

Time Stamp

00:00 – Introducing 3 Key Metrics
02:16 – Why bookkeepers are well-positioned to deliver advisory services
03:59 – Why less is more with KPIs for small business clients
04:54 – The three core metrics
06:33 – Breaking down net operating income & what it reveals
07:50 – Industry nuances & why measuring consistently matters
09:30 – Using consistent monthly tracking to spot improvement
12:20 – Net equity explained
14:27 – Why 78% of a business owner's net worth is tied to their business
16:04 – Loans, distributions & reinvestment
20:54 – Why profitable businesses still fail without cash
23:10 – Healthcare & construction industries & cashflow gaps
25:59 – Watching DSO & DPO to avoid cash crunches
27:21 – How bookkeepers can differentiate by tracking just 3 KPIs
28:29 – How to package advisory
30:55 – Why most existing clients won't pay more
33:18 – Advisory is best suited for businesses over $1M revenue
34:56 – How Hub Analytics supports bookkeepers with AI-driven reporting

"I think that the hacker mindset is a superpower because what it does is it fosters independent thinking. And independent thinking enables a person to observe or discover overlooked pathways, overlooked opportunities, things that other people have missed.”
-Ted Harrington

Ted Harrington, cybersecurity expert and author of Hackable: How To Do Application Security Right and his upcoming book Inner Hacker: A New Way Of Thinking, returns to talk about the hacker mindset and how it can transform both business and life.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• The four traits of the hacker mindset
• How AI is shaping cyberattacks
• Ways to tap into your inner hacker

To learn more about Ted, click here.

Connect with him on LinkedIn.

Check out his new book, Inner Hacker: A New Way Of Thinking here.

Time Stamp

01:22 – Ted Harrington returns with his new book Inner Hacker
02:47 – Why thinking like a hacker is a superpower
09:17 – The four traits of the hacker mindset
12:39 – What holds people back from channeling their inner hacker
18:24 – How the book supports his business & clients
23:13 – AI’s role in modern cyberattacks
29:20 – What’s changing for small businesses & cybersecurity awareness
32:31 – Why hackers target small businesses
36:36 – Protecting yourself by knowing where you’re vulnerable
37:45 – Ted’s future plans & keynote speaking

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

Imagine having all your financial data in one place, with real-time analytics and customized reports at your fingertips.

Hub Analytics is a financial platform that streamlines bookkeeping operations, so you can focus on what really matters—delivering high-quality results for your clients. With Hub's easy-to-use tools, you’ll save time, reduce errors, and gain deeper insights into your clients' financials!

Ready to take your bookkeeping to the next level?

Book a demo to learn more and start your FREE trial TODAY!

"You have to keep evolving. We're always evolving. Never stop growing. Never stop learning. If you're not happy with what you're doing, there's always a way to change. And you can lean on great thought leaders like this to help you get there.  "
-Lisa Campbell

Lisa Campbell, Founder of Accelerate 2 Advisor, returns for part two of her series about Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. She shares practical ways bookkeepers can apply the next four habits to strengthen client relationships, build stronger teams, and sustain long-term success.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• How to create win-win client & team relationships
• Why discovery calls should focus on understanding, not selling
• The power of synergy with your team and professional partners

To learn more about Lisa, visit her profile on LinkedIn.

Sign up for her Masterclass here!

Time Stamp

00:00 – Win-win results with accountants through systemized books
01:25 – Habit 4: Think win-win
06:57 – Habit 5: Seek first to understand, then to be understood
09:55 – Why selling is ongoing & rooted in understanding clients' real needs
12:28 – Listening & trust with clients & team members
15:25 – Habit 6: Synergy
18:20 – Building referral networks & partnerships for growth
21:14 – Niching & connecting with industry vendors & partners for referrals
23:25 – Real-world example: systemized bookkeeping driving strong CPA referrals
25:07 – Habit 7: Sharpen the saw
29:50 – The most transformative habit for bookkeepers
35:00 – How proactive bookkeepers put first things first to reach advisor level
35:56 – Wrap-up & invitation to Lisa's Accelerate to Advisor masterclass

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext!

Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place.

Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who've already made the switch.

If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you!

Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!

"The opportunity now is huge with accountants and bookkeepers to provide more of a proactive service, more forecasting, more future visibility. But certain things have to be in place for that to happen."
-Paul Lodder

Paul Lodder, VP of Accounting Product and Strategy at Dext, discusses how bookkeepers and accountants can use cash flow forecasting and automation to move beyond compliance and become true strategic advisors.

In this interview, you'll learn…

• Why 1 in 4 small businesses face cash flow issues
• How to make cash flow forecasting personal
• How automation frees time for advisory

To learn more about Paul, click here.

Time Stamp

00:01 – Dext study on 500 Canadian SMBs
02:27 – Why 42% fear closure
04:48 – Opportunity in cash flow forecasting
07:22 – Make cash flow personal for clients
10:25 – Cost of manual vs automation
14:39 – 1 in 4 face cash flow issues
18:09 – Barriers: capacity & strategy
20:44 – Scenario planning & sensitivity
23:42 – Key metric: debtor days
27:11 – Charging for automation, value pricing
32:28 – Tech plus relationships build trust
37:29 – More conversations, more advisory
38:17 – Where to find the Dext study

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext!

Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place.

Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who've already made the switch.

If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you!

Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!

"  Beginning with the end in mind is very helpful for people who are starting, but also for people who are already in the weeds and they just like, 'I can't do this anymore. I need to do something else.' Figure out what it is that you want to build and then reverse engineer it and build it."
-Lisa Campbell

Lisa Campbell, founder of Accelerate 2 Advisor, shares how to apply the first three of Stephen Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People directly to your bookkeeping business.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• Why being proactive creates stronger client relationships
• How to begin with the end in mind to design the business you want
• The importance of putting first things first & delegating effectively

To learn more about Lisa, visit her profile on LinkedIn.

Sign up for her October 20th Masterclass here!

Time Stamp

00:01 – Importance of systemizing every transaction for accurate books
01:04 – Focus on Stephen Covey's first three habits
02:11 – Lisa shares her backstory: from overwhelmed bookkeeper to mentor
03:26 – Discovering Pure Bookkeeping & freeing time to grow beyond data entry
04:45 – Building the Accelerate to Advisor Mastermind program
07:42 – Lisa introduces Level Up Live & her sessions on Covey's habits
10:25 – Habit 1: Be proactive
15:19 – Habit 2: Begin with the end in mind
21:14 – Habit 3: Put first things first

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext!

Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place.

Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who've already made the switch.

If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you!

Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!

"Anyone who grows plants knows that sometimes you have to trim the leaves to have an overall healthy plant. Not every customer will come with you as you grow your business, and that's actually a good thing. It keeps your business efficient and healthy."
-Etinosa Agbonlahor

In the finale of this two-part conversation, Etinosa Agbonlahor, behavioral economist and CEO of Decision Alpha, returns to share practical strategies for raising prices without losing confidence or clients. She explains how to overcome resistance, use behavioral nudges, and position your services to attract the right customers.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• How to spot signals your pricing is off
• Simple nudges & choice architecture that boost client acceptance
• How to raise prices with confidence & retain long-term relationships

To learn more about Etinosa, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Decision Alpha.

Download your free Behavioral Pricing Playbook here.

Time Stamp

03:01 – The fear of losing customers & why churn can be healthy
07:23 – Building confidence to justify premium pricing
12:29 – Signals your pricing isn't working
19:14 – Behavioral nudges that influence client choices
26:40 – Using choice architecture to present pricing
30:41 – Raising prices while honoring long-term clients

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext!

Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place.

Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who've already made the switch.

If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you!

Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!

"You should be distinct enough and positioned just a bit enough that people go, 'Oh, I am caring about the value they're gonna bring to me, to the point where I wanna double click.'"
-Etinosa Agbonlahor

Etinosa Agbonlahor, behavioral economist and CEO of Decision Alpha, shares how pricing is about more than numbers. She explains why understanding your value and talking to clients is key to building a profitable bookkeeping business.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• Why most bookkeepers underprice their services
• How client conversations uncover real value
• Ways to position yourself so price isn't the only factor

To learn more about Etinosa, click here.

Connect with Etinosa on LinkedIn.

Learn more about Decision Alpha.

Download your free Behavioral Pricing Playbook here.

Timestamps

02:32 – Etinosa's career journey in finance & behavioral economics
04:57 – Why businesses leave 11% profit on the table
07:56 – The number one mistake in pricing: not talking to customers
11:12 – How bookkeepers often copy pricing from competitors
13:55 – Should you show prices on your website?
15:30 – Positioning: are you in the bazaar or the premium store?
19:02 – Differentiation through unique processes or systems
21:15 – Telling your story to build perceived value

This episode is brought to you by our friends at Dext!

Dext handles transaction capture, keeps your data accurate, and even simplifies e-commerce reconciliation, all in one place.

Join thousands of bookkeepers and accountants who've already made the switch.

If you're ready to save time, reduce errors, and make bookkeeping more efficient, Dext is for you!

Go to thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com/dext to book a demo TODAY and see how it can transform the way you work!