The Successful Bookkeeper Podcast

“Nobody knows what we're really doing, and so if we wanna increase the value of what we deliver, we've gotta break down those barriers to understanding and find ways to make the information meaningful and relevant to what they're trying to accomplish.” -Geni Whitehouse In part one of a two-part series, Geni Whitehouse, founder of The Impactful Advisor, shares her journey from tax and tech to transforming how accountants and bookkeepers connect with clients. In this interview, you’ll learn.. Why simple language builds stronger client connections The power of asking, ‘Where do you go to see if your business is on track?’ Shifting focus from showing expertise to empowering clients Plus much more! To learn more about Geni, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 01:09 - Geni’s journey from CPA to tech & training 02:48 - Realizes tax work didn’t help clients the way she wanted 04:36 - Using humor to make accounting concepts clear & engaging 05:45 - Focusing on advisory, helping accountants ask better questions 06:04 - Advisory work with wineries — helping owners understand numbers 09:33 - Shift from proving knowledge to empowering clients 14:01 - Simple, clear language builds value 19:23 - Key question: “Where do you go to see if your business is on track?” 21:00 - SCOPE method to guide client conversations 24:42 - Find each client’s true “why” to deliver real value 27:13 - Small changes (like one more bottle sold) can drive big impact

“ If I don't have a clear pathway for somebody to come in fresh, and get the experience they need and teach them what they need to know so that they can do what we do, I've really limited who I can even help get into this industry, who I can hire.” -Cameron Davis In the finale of this 2-part series, Cameron Davis shares how he grew Imago Dei Bookkeeping from a side hustle to a 60-client firm by hiring smart, building strong systems, and creating a business that runs without him. He talks about leaving his job, early team lessons, and using Pure Bookkeeping to streamline and empower his team. In this interview, you'll learn: How to transition from solo to team without losing control Why clear systems reduce stress & boost client trust Tips for hiring the right help at the right time Click here to know more about Imago Dei Bookkeeping & Consulting. Connect with Cameron on LinkedIn. Time Stamp 00:00 — Early Struggles: Balancing a job & bookkeeping clients 01:18 — Hiring the first team member while still employed 03:17 — Deciding to leave his full-time job & go all in 07:34 — Lessons learned from early hiring attempts & finding the right team 09:39 — Buying another firm & rapid client growth 10:24 — Discovering Pure Bookkeeping & the power of systems 13:41 — Implementing SOPs, Loom videos & centralizing processes 19:00 — Training new team members 22:38 — Building a firm designed for freedom & future growth 25:22 — How to connect with Cameron  

“ I couldn't have moved to the next stage if I didn't learn what I learned there. Although the time there was difficult, it was such a key time period to launch me into the next phase of failing an insurance agency, which also taught me what I needed to learn in order to do what I'm doing now.” -Cameron Davis In part one of this two-part series, Cameron Davis, owner of Imago Dei Bookkeeping & Consulting, shares how he turned a failed insurance venture into a purpose-driven bookkeeping business built on faith, family, and purpose. In this interview, you’ll learn: How cold calling helped him land clients fast Why he avoids offering services that don’t align with his vision How faith & family guide his business choices Connect with Cameron on LinkedIn. To learn more about Imago Dei Bookkeeping & Consulting, click here. Time Stamp 01:05 — Cameron’s background & move from insurance to bookkeeping 03:25 — Early career in sales & marketing, starting an insurance agency 05:26 — Lessons from a failed insurance business & importance of systems 08:32 — How setbacks shaped his approach to business today 12:31 — Role of faith & family in overcoming challenges 14:45 — First bookkeeping client & early struggles to learn the craft 17:02 — Using cold calling to get initial clients & test the market 20:14 — Starting Imago Dei Bookkeeping with a clear purpose & focus 23:01 — Cameron’s simple cold call approach & script overview 25:08 — His "wave" strategy for balancing growth & onboarding 29:50 — Knowing which services to avoid & staying true to business vision 30:51 — Building a business that aligns with life goals & family values

“More powerful and more comfortable don't usually go hand in hand. Usually more powerful is more uncomfortable. When you're clear about your own voice and what you're bringing to the table, you can see a pathway to saying the more powerful thing and not perceiving it as a threat to the relationship, but instead you're like fueling a better conversation.” -Dia Bondi In the finale of this 2-part series, leadership communications coach, Dia Bondi shares how bookkeepers can find their voice, build trust and lead stronger client conversations.  In this interview, you'll also learn: How Dia’s Platform Map framework reveals your leadership voice The key difference between an ask & a business requirement How to use storytelling to deepen trust with clients To find more about Dia, click here. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Get FREE resources HERE for Successful Bookkeeper listeners. Lear more about her book, Ask Like An Auctioneer at this link. Time Stamp 02:00 – What’s a Real Ask? 03:15 – Trust Comes from Feeling Seen 04:50 – Confidence Through Clarity 05:23 – Inside the Transformational Voice Intensive 06:58 – Comfort vs. Power 08:57 – The Platform Map Framework 09:36 – Purpose Platform Statement 11:17 – Provenance: Your Real Origin Story 13:39 – Point of View & Playbook 16:52 – Principles: Values in Action 20:06 – Building Trust as a Bookkeeper 23:07 – Learn More from Dia