“And so I went through all of the little folders and things that I had stored different goals, and I pulled them all into one place and had a whole week to really think about what I wanted my goals to be for next year. And that brought tremendous clarity.”
-Nancy Gwynne-Vaughan

In this episode, Nancy Gwynne-Vaughan, President of Graham Consulting & Training Inc., explores the realities of running a small business in the bookkeeping sector, offering insights on overcoming challenges, creating effective systems, and setting purposeful goals. She underscores the importance of adaptability, continuous learning, and support systems in navigating the complexities of business ownership.

To learn more about Nancy, click here.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

If you need help building systems in your business, visit PureBookkeeping.com.

Time Stamp:

00:39 - The constant unpredictability & challenges of running a small business
03:01 - Building systems, managing staff effectively & creating a supportive team
04:54 - Reflecting on the past year & planning actionable steps for success
09:05 - Breaking down annual goals into quarterly & weekly plans
13:20 - How goal-setting & positive thinking can shape business outcomes
17:45 - Balancing personal & business goals
24:32 - Preparing for challenges
31:23 - Building a reliable team & leveraging tools
36:35 - Maintaining an entrepreneurial growth mindset
42:19 - Insights on lifelong learning, embracing change & finding fulfilment

“I had no niche. I didn't know what I wanted to do. I knew the clients I really didn't like to work with. But they were also talking about, ‘You got to find your niche.’ And I'm like, ‘How do you find a niche?’”
-Leslee Hickerson

Leslee Hickerson shares her inspiring journey from a small Ontario town to becoming a successful bookkeeper and consultant specializing in law firms. She reflects on her challenges during the pandemic, her transformative decision to join the Pure Bookkeeping community, and the importance of finding clarity and direction through a niche focus in her business.

In this interview, you'll learn:

• The benefits of specializing in a niche for business success
• The value of certification in elevating your bookkeeping career
• Tips for conquering imposter syndrome & embracing growth opportunities

Connect with Leslee on LinkedIn.

Time Stamp:

00:53 - Leslee's Journey into Bookkeeping
05:58 - Navigating Challenges During COVID
11:56 - Finding Community & Support
17:59 - Narrowing Down to a Niche
24:00 - Transitioning to Advisory Services
29:52 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
36:05 - The Importance of Certification & Education

“You think that you're competing against other accountants, but for people who are just starting, you're competing against ‘free’. As far as they're concerned, ‘I've been doing my bookkeeping and I was doing fine and it didn't cost me anything, so why should I pay you?’”
-Keila Hill-Trawick

In this episode, Kyla Hill Treywick, founder and CEO of Little Fish Accounting, shares her journey into accounting and the lessons learned while building a thriving firm. She highlights the value of client relationships, effective team building, and maintaining a strong company culture to drive success.

In this episode, you’ll learn…

• How to overcome challenges in starting & scaling a business with a quality-first approach
• Building a strong team & company culture
• Embracing industry trends focused on collaboration & connection

To learn more about Keila, connect with her on LinkedIn.

Check out her company website here.

Time Stamp

01:37 - Keila’s career shift from corporate roles to launching an accounting firm
04:02 - Starting a business & refining services
07:44 - Overcoming challenges
12:20 - Evolving sales process
18:17 - Importance of diagnostics & addressing client needs up front
23:21 - Transitioning to relationship-focused services
26:28 - Prioritizing sustainable growth & intentional scaling
29:44 - Growing a remote team, managing turnover & fostering a strong company culture
34:27 - Embracing trends like collaboration, niching & human connection in accounting