Vivek Shankar: How Accounting Firms Can Build a Differentiated Brand

Show Summary: In this episode of the Grow My Accounting Practice podcast, Matt Shoup joins us to discuss the powerful impact of vulnerability in business and the deeper connections it can foster. Matt opens up about his early years as an entrepreneur and the lengths he went to get his business off the ground, including creative marketing strategies that helped him stand out. He shares a specific story from his book, Painted Baby, illustrating the value of honest storytelling and authenticity in building trust with clients and team members. Matt also delves into the concept of "hitting ceilings"—moments when growth stalls and it takes a new approach to push through. He emphasizes the importance of investing in people, explaining that pouring time, energy, and resources into relationships is essential for sustainable success. Through his insights, Matt reveals how embracing vulnerability and focusing on people can turn challenges into growth opportunities, driving both business and personal development.   Website:https://www.mattshoup.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/matt.shoup Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewshoup/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/user/ShoupConsulting TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@mattshoup   Corporate Partner:Cash Flow Mike - www.cashflowmike.com   Make Your Business Permanently Profitable with the PROFIT FIRST APP!

Show Summary: In this episode of the Grow My Accounting Practice podcast, Stacey Bennett, founder of The SLC Group, discusses the profound impact businesses can have on the world and the unique responsibility of the business owners to drive positive change. She emphasizes the importance of aligning your business with your personal trends. By leaning into authenticity, entrepreneurs can discover revolutionary ideas that genuinely contribute to a better world. Stacey encourages listeners to embrace failure and the messy process of growth. She believes that every stumble is a valuable lesson, forming the foundation of long-term success. Ultimately, Stacey's focus is not just on achieving business success, but on personal development and making a meaningful impact. By prioritizing these goals, she finds greater satisfaction and ease in her entrepreneurial journey.   Website:theslcgroup.co Facebook:facebook.com/theslcgroup   Corporate Partner:Universal Accounting - https://universalaccounting.com/   Make Your Business Permanently Profitable with the PROFIT FIRST APP!

Show Summary: In this insightful episode of the Grow My Accounting Practice podcast, hosts welcome Taheera and Anne Christie, co-founders of T5 Transit LLC, as they explore how the Profit First system can revolutionize the trucking industry. Taheera and Anne share their expertise in the Final Mile industry and discuss common challenges that. transportation businesses face, such as lack of growth, poor financial planning, and the absence of emergency funds. The episode highlights critical decisions trucking companies must make, such as buying vs. leasing vehicles, and emphasizes the importance of building a strong business foundation. With the Profit First framework, Taheera and Anne show how transportation companies can manage their cash flow, increase profitability, and create a more sustainable future in a competitive market.   Corporate Partner:Impact Global Solutions - https://www.linkedin.com/company/impactglobalsolutions   Make Your Business Permanently Profitable with the PROFIT FIRST APP!

Show Summary: In today’s episode of Grow My Accounting Practice, we’re joined by Dr. Quinn Denny, a work psychologist and president of ioPSYte®, to explore the critical role personality plays in successful leadership. Dr. Denny starts by breaking down the concept of personality and why it matters in a professional setting. He also explains the key differences between trait and type assessments, providing insights on how each can be leveraged effectively in the workplace. Additionally, Dr. Denny addresses the varying value of personality assessments and offers practical advice for utilizing personality insights to boost leadership and team performance. Tune in to learn how understanding and leveraging personality traits can transform your leadership approach and workplace dynamics!   LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-quinn-denny-industrial-organizational-psychologist-8baaa1165 Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100079517661907   Corporate Partner: Your Cyber Team - https://yourcyberteam.com/   Make Your Business Permanently Profitable with the PROFIT FIRST APP!

Show Summary: In today’s episode of the Grow My Accounting Practice podcast, we welcome Patrick Casale, MA, LCMHC, owner of All Things Private Practice LLC. Patrick shares his insights on Neurodivergent Leadership in Business, offering valuable perspectives on how neurodivergent individuals can thrive in leadership roles and shape workplace culture. Key topics include the importance of building a people-first culture over profit, addressing the challenges of self-doubt in entrepreneurship, and embracing the unique strengths that neurodivergent leaders bring to the table. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on how to lead with authenticity and inclusivity.   Website:Allthingspractice.com Empoweredescapes.com Instagram: Instagram.com/patrick.casale Corporate Partner: Pumpkin Plan Your Biz - https://pumpkinplanyourbiz.com/ Make Your Business Permanently Profitable with the PROFIT FIRST APP!  

Show Summary: In today’s episode of the Grow My Accounting Practice podcast, we are excited to welcome Michelle Weinstein, a seasoned sales expert and founder of The Abundant Accountant. Michelle dives into the core challenges that firm owners face when it comes to sales, particularly the difficulty of increasing fees for existing clients. She shares insights into why many accountants, CPAs, and bookkeepers struggle with pricing and undervalue their services, often feeling hesitant to charge what they're worth. Michelle highlights the importance of shifting the mindset around sales and emphasizes that the key to success lies in understanding and communicating your true value to clients. Throughout the episode, Michelle also explores effective strategies for overcoming these common obstacles. From developing confidence in sales conversations to mastering the art of value-based pricing, she provides practical tips that firm owners can immediately apply to increase their revenue without taking on more work or sacrificing client relationships. Tune in to learn how to break through these barriers and take your firm to the next level!   Website:www.theabundantaccountant.com/freedom   Corporate Partner: Cash Flow Mike - http://www.cashflowmike.com/   Make Your Business Permanently Profitable with the PROFIT FIRST APP!

Show Summary: In this episode of the Grow My Accounting Practice podcast, Doreen Binkiewicz, founder of DGL Business Solutions and Certified Profit First Professional, dives into the vital components of exit planning and succession strategies for business owners. She explains how these strategies are not necessarily retirement plans, but rather a way for owners to harvest the value of their business when the time is right. The key, according to Doreen, is making sure that the business is transferrable—meaning it can operate independently of the owner—ensuring long-term value and success. Doreen highlights the critical difference between "business attractiveness" and "business readiness." While business attractiveness refers to how appealing a company looks to outsiders, business readiness focuses on internal operations and the company’s ability to function efficiently without the owner. Both elements play a crucial role in determining the real value of a business and its ability to sell or transfer ownership. Doreen also touches on the importance of financial allocation, a concept central to Profit First principles, where money is separated into different accounts, much like Mike Michalowicz’s money envelope system. This helps business owners manage their natural spending tendencies, building profitability and business value. By meeting clients where they are—whether they are exploring, pivoting, or triggering—Doreen emphasizes the importance of clarity, liquidity, and legacy in crafting a long-term, winning business strategy.   Website:www.DGLBusinessSolutions.com   Corporate Partner: People Processes - https://peopleprocesses.com/

Show Summary: In today’s episode of the Grow My Accounting Practice podcast, we are joined by Rhamy Alejeal, owner of People Processes, to explore how HR can supercharge profitability for businesses. Rhamy explains why accountants should pay close attention to their clients' HR strategies and highlights the often-overlooked overlap between accounting and HR functions. By aligning these two areas, accountants can not only provide better financial insights but also help their clients drive growth and efficiency in their workforce management. Rhamy shares real-world examples of how CFOs have transformed their businesses by integrating People Processes' HR solutions. He explains the significant ROI that companies have seen by focusing on high-impact HR actions, such as investing in employee development, enhancing recruitment practices, and automating routine HR tasks. These changes help businesses reduce costs, improve employee retention, and ultimately, boost profitability. As the year draws to a close, Rhamy also touches on critical HR compliance updates that accountants should bring to their clients' attention. By staying proactive and informed, accountants can offer valuable advice that not only ensures legal compliance but also strengthens their client relationships and positions them as trusted advisors. Tune in to learn how optimizing HR can be a game changer for your clients’ bottom line!   Website:https://peopleprocesses.com/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleprocesses/ Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@peopleprocesses   Corporate Partner: People Processes - https://peopleprocesses.com/

Show Summary: In today's episode of the Grow My Accounting Practice podcast, Vivek Shankar joins us to dive deep into a critical yet often misunderstood topic: how accounting firms can build a differentiated brand. Vivek highlights the gap many firms face—they’re constantly told they need to build a brand, but rarely shown how to do it effectively. He emphasizes that brand building isn’t about amassing millions of followers; it's about getting business results. Accounting firms don’t need to be household names to stand out; they just need to build a brand that resonates with their ideal clients. Vivek takes listeners through the steps of understanding their ideal customer. He explains that knowing your audience is key to crafting a brand message that connects with them. By gaining deep insights into what your target market truly wants and needs, firms can create content and branding that positions them as the go-to experts in their niche. Vivek shares practical tips for busy founders on how to create impactful, standout content without overwhelming their schedules. The episode also covers strategies for determining which content format works best for different personalities and brands. Whether it's blogs, podcasts, videos, or social media posts, Vivek offers a framework to help founders choose the right path. His approach is all about simplifying content creation, making it easier for accounting firms to build and maintain a unique brand that attracts clients and drives business growth.   Website:https://www.vivekshankar.net/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/vivek-shankar-content/ Corporate Partner: People Processes - https://peopleprocesses.com/

Show Summary In today’s episode of the Grow My Accounting Practice podcast, Mark Evans shares his insights on business growth and building businesses remotely. Mark reveals how he completed thousands of real estate deals without ever meeting sellers and buyers face-to-face, showcasing the power of remote operations. He also dives into his entrepreneurial journey, including how he traveled the world for seven years while growing his business. Mark discusses the common challenges entrepreneurs face, how to overcome them, and why understanding the different "seasons" of business is crucial for long-term success. Tune in to learn how to navigate business growth and scale your success!   Website:www.MarkEvansDM.com Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/markevansdm/?hl=en   Corporate Partner:People Processes - https://peopleprocesses.com/