Do you know your worth?
Our returning guest, Lisa Campbell-Marchese, owner of The Marcam Group, has 27 years of experience in the bookkeeping industry. In the beginning, she struggled in her business and worried about getting things done on time or missing a deadline.She sought help from the Pure Bookkeeping System and started implementing systems into her business.
The results were incredible.
It kept her organized and her clients trust her more because she doesn't miss any deadlines.
It helped her grow as an individual because she knows she has more value and expanded her business beyond what she expected.
Now, she has more control over her work day regardless of how many clients she has. She's freed up, and spends more time on what is important.
During this interview, you'll discover...
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The importance of day-to-day documentation
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Why focusing on the value you create for your clients is important
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What systems or guides you should use for your bookkeeping business
Watch the webinar mentioned in this episode:
How Workflow Automation Software Can Put Your Business Success On Autopilot
To listen to her previous podcast episode, check this out.
This episode was voted as one of the TOP 5 Interviews to Help You Get Freedom in your Bookkeeping Business
EPISODE TRANSCRIPTION
Michael Palmer: 01:30 Welcome back to The Successful Bookkeeper podcast. I am your host, Michael Palmer, and today's show is going to be a great one. Our return guest is a Pure Bookkeeping North American licensee and has 25 years experience in the bookkeeping industry. She's the owner of the Mark Ham group and I'm happy to chat with her again. Lisa Campbell-Marchese welcome back to the podcast.
Lisa Campbell-Marchese: 01:54 Thanks, Michael. It's great to be here.
MP: 01:55 It's small, it's great to have you. And I'm so excited to hear, it's actually exactly one year ago, this actually 13 months ago cause you were, you were here with us May 2017. That was episode 35. And if listeners are listening at is an awesome episode, go back and listen to that one. But uh, I'd love to, we're going to talk about some updates where you've been, how you've improved upon your business. But before we get into all of that, can you tell the listeners, for the listeners who are just meeting you for the first time, a little bit about yourself and your journey thus far?
LCM: 02:31 Oh sure. It's been quite the journey how case, so I've been a bookkeeper for a long, long time, kind of on a part-time basis. And in about 2012 2013 that's when I started to focus on really becoming more of a full-time business. And at that point I really didn't even know that I could turn it into a business that was more than me and people were skeptical saying, you know, how are you going to turn this into a business? You're a bookkeeper. My thought was, will you just me? And so that's when I received an email from you, Michael, regarding your seven secrets of growing your bookkeeping, those lists. And that kind of wowed me. When I listened to that Webinar and I watched everything that was involved in your bookkeeping system, I was really quite wowed and I decided that this was a journey that I needed to take.
LCM: 03:21 And so I spoke with you and looked into implementing systems in my business because I was at a point where I was pulling my hair out and I was up all night and, and you know, waking up in the middle of the night because things got really, really busy and out of hand and I couldn't find things. And truthfully, when I was looking into getting into pure bookkeeping systems, it was more to kind of organize myself because I felt really maxed out. And that system has taught me that I can expand, but my bookkeeping business beyond anything I ever imagined when I first started this journey. And there's so much to this slide, I think we need to take it in stages, Michael.
MP: 04:05 Yeah, well I love, I remember the call our first call together and remember you sharing your vision of where he wanted to take your business. And I was, I was so pleased to see you make such rapid gains in your, in your business. And I think it's a testament to you once you like, just like you said, you know, look, people said, hey, oh, you know, you're going to be able to build a business. I don't know. And you're like, I'll show you. Just watch me. I think that says a lot about you as an individual about just going and taking action, which is so, yeah.
LCM: 04:38 Well, I mean it is a little intimidating to dive in, but I'll tell you, I couldn't have done it without the support of pure bookkeeping because the system is what guides you. It makes you, it holds you accountable. It makes you take the steps that you need to take to get where you want to go. I could not be where I am right now had I not taken the leap and, and you know, invested in a system that is amazing. I mean, I've never seen a system like your bookie thing. Um, and it's just, it's really helped me kind of grow as an individual as well.
MP: 05:15 Beautiful. Well, thank you for sharing it and we're, we're proud of what we've, what we've built and what the community has built and contributes. I mean, it's not just pure bookkeeping but the entire community that, uh, of great people like you, but keepers like you that support each other and getting the results in their business. Uh, I'd love for you to share a little bit about where you are now because you've done a lot of work and in those first, uh, couple of months of starting, you made some gains. Share a little bit about that and what your life is like now. Because I think that's inspiring for our listener to hear that, you know, the having the business that they love, that gives them the type of lifestyle that they want as well as the income that they want and freedom that they want. I think that's really inspiring to hear others who have gone in and built it.
LCM: 06:08 Well, I can tell you that, you know, in the beginning when I first started turning it into more of a, I, I say business, but we all know it's a practice because if it's just you, it's a practice, you do the work, you don't get paid. And I never really thought about, you know, what happens after this. So I maxed my time out and I maxed my rate out, which I thought was inappropriate rate at that time. Turns out it wasn't, it was much lower. And at that point I really had, you know, two big clients and a few small ones. And when you put all your eggs in one basket like that, you can run into trouble. And I actually did, I lost one of those clients. I went through a rough time and I lost kind of track of what I was doing and I lost one of them.
LCM: 06:46 But what happened, it was because I had the system sort of building up and, and showing me how things should be done properly and how that equates to my value as a bookkeeper. Because I am a good bookkeeper. I know what I'm doing and I don't, I don't skimp on things. I think it's really important to, you know, dot all your i's and cross all your t's. It's, it guided me along to a point where I knew that I could grow this based on the systems that were in place, regardless of how many clients I had at the time. Because new clients come along all the time and in the beginning you will take every single client you get because you think, oh wow, somebody wants my business. So I'll take them. And you get those people that just do not value what you do.
LCM: 07:33 They have no respect for your knowledge and they become a pain. Like they're just more hassle than their work. So what happens when you start implementing systems and, and learning how to grow and recognizing your value is you get to a point where you not only have control over your work day, but you also get to pick and choose your clients because you're now in demand. Your clients know that you get things done on time. You don't miss deadlines because of your systems that you've got in place. You don't spend time struggling to find, where did I put this file? Where did I put that file? You know where everything is at the drop of a hat, it's, it's so systematic. You can also now bring someone else in because you can train, they'd learn pure bookkeeping system. They know your processes, you've already evaluated them as a bookkeeper.
LCM: 08:21 You bring someone else in, they're doing things exactly the same way you're doing it and you're now freed up. You can move on to things that are more important to you. You're still picking and choosing your clients because now you have more value. Which I found by the way, just in the first year of of implementing PBS, my value went up tremendously because I recognized that I was putting more work into smaller clients that weren't really appreciative. Whereas I could use the knowledge that I had and the experience that I had to attract those more high end clients. Know basically your business. That's what you want.
MP: 08:57 Mm. So, so awesome. And now you talked a little bit about systems and I think it's it for those that are listening that don't know what a system is because often people think of software, it's like a a software system, right? But really systems and process is different standard operating procedures. It's like a guide that it's like this is how you do it right down to the nth degree. Talk a little bit about that, right? To help our listener understand what a great system should look like in your business.
LCM: 09:30 Okay, well first of all I recommend everybody reads the email bookkeeper that that really helps you to understand why a system is important because your business cannot operate without you. If you don't have a system in place and if you don't have a business that can operate without you, you are basically a slave to your business. You can't grow. So a system is when everything that needs to be done in your processes is documented and it's very granular. You have literally checklists for each procedures. So that would involve things like payroll, processing, source deductions, HST onboarding, client documents. You have everything in one place. So when you don't have a system in place, a client calls you up, it needs, you know, you may have your own internal checklist of, of things that you need to get from the client. You may not, you may have it all in your head.
LCM: 10:24 If you have it in your head, it is imperative that you document it because every time you, you bring on a new client, you need to go do the same procedure over and over again. Uh, and you miss things along the way. And then you'll six months in, you think, oh Geez, I never asked the guy for his articles of incorporation. Well, that's something that a good bookkeeper would have at the very beginning. You make sure you have all of your documents in place so that you can move forward and provide the best service for that client. So systems, I don't know how to explain it, it's, it's, I cannot even imagine at this point going backwards to working without a system. You are frazzled. A system will not only enable you to grow, it will enable you to have peace of mind because you know that things are done and they're done right.
MP: 11:15 Beautiful. I think it's beautifully said. I mean it helps people understand and, and really thank you for the recommendation on E-myth bookkeeper, which was written by, uh, Debbie Roberts, our cofounder and Peter Cook, our cofounder of course, Michael Gerber, who is, who is the, the, the king if you will, or the, what do they call him? LCM: 11:35 The Guru. He is the system-driven Guru, that Inc magazine called him the world's greatest small business coach. Really Excellent.
MP: 11:46 Yeah. Excellent. Excellent stuff. I've loved. I love Michael Gerber. So it's a, a good read. Uh, and we'll give definitely the listener understanding of system, how to build a system driven business. Now do systems. How did systems help you though, as a solo, as a solo practitioner, as a, did it help you when you were just yourself working with yourself?
LCM: 12:06 Oh, absolutely. And that was my big question to you at the beginning. Is this going to help me? And you assured me that it would, and it did because it helped me gather my existing clients and put things in order. Even just the filing system. So the protocols for filing within your systems, I don't really know how to explain it to people that aren't familiar with the system, but there's a protocol that we follow for filing documents for filing reports, which reports are filed, how they're labeled. Um, that in itself allowed be to be far more efficient because I knew where everything was, I could find things so quickly. So let's say for example, you have, you know, let's say five clients and they've all got different aspects to their business and you have, you know, a client folder, let's say it's on Dropbox or whether it's on your desktop, Google docs, it doesn't matter, but you don't really have a format for filing things.
LCM: 13:00 So let's say your client calls you up and says, oh, I need to know something about this, this or this. And you now have to go through that file folder and figure out where did you put it. And I've been in that spot where I'd been embarrassed on the phone because somebody is on the phone waiting for information and I can't remember where I put the file. So when you have a system in place, you don't even question it, you know exactly where it is. It's immediate because it's the same for each client, which also makes it the same for your staff. They have no issues.
MP: 13:29 Beautiful. Well, that's that streamlining and that, so you essentially streamlined your entire practice as a solo, which gave you better efficiency. Billability did deliver a better product to your clients and now you've got staff. And so that's where you've started to leverage and, and what's, what's life like now as opposed to then with staff and systems and process and your life?
LCM: 13:55 Oh, life now is I, you know, get the kids to school in the morning and I get organized. I get on my computer about 9:30 I work and by 5:00 at the latest, my computer is shut off my clients. No, don't contact me at night. I do not work on the weekends. And I make sure that I, you know, if I take on a new project, I made sure that I have the time to do it within my regular business hours. I don't sit there at night and wonder what I've forgotten to do. I don't panic over the weekend. I don't work on the weekend and stress myself out. That family time is really important to me. So having, it's allowed me to basically have a nine to five job with freedom to take time off to go to my kids' events at school or run out to the doctor, dentist, whatever I need to do because I know everything is in order.
MP: 14:40 Beautiful. Yeah, I love it. I love it. It's a family first and, and you've built a business that's delivered the promise. Uh, I don't think there's many business out there that I can say they, they've actually had the promise of having their own business delivered to them, which is, you know, people want to make more money. They want to have more freedom and have more fun. And it looks like you've been able to do that for yourself and your, your, the true winner is your family.
LCM: 15:09 Oh yeah. Family is very important. I've, I've done that from the beginning. I don't want to be sitting in a, in an office and worrying about doing what the kids are doing and I mean my kids are a little bit older now, but at the time when I was starting, you know, it was very important for me to be home, create an income, but also be available for my kids if the school calls and like, you know, I'm around the corner. So that's been a huge, huge benefit. And let me touch on the money that there for a second. If you focus on the money, you're going to have an issue. What you need to do is focus on the value that you're creating for your client by implementing systems because then you're at your best. The money will come naturally because your value has just shot through the roof.
MP: 15:51 I love that. And natural price, natural price pressure and natural attraction of more money just simply by working on delivering more value.
LCM: 16:01 Yeah, I mean you, you do get what you pay for it. You've heard that saying, if you, if you hire an ama issue thing, if you think it's expensive to hire a pro, wait until you hire an amateur. Do you know that saying?
MP: 16:12 Yeah, absolutely.
LCM: 16:13 Yeah. So I mean it's just, it's a natural flow. If you, if you put everything in place, you're giving that client the very best that you can give them and, and you're, you're, the money just comes naturally. Don't focus on the money. It'll happen.
MP: 16:27 Love it. Love it. Very inspiring. Now you, you've spent a lot of time innovating as well in your practice and even with the pure bookkeeping system in terms of your suggestions and, and contributions to pure bookkeeping have been incredible. But as well, you, you said, I want to have software that automates my systems and process and you looked to jetpack workflow. Tell us a little bit like what was the turning point when you realized you needed practice management software?
LCM: 17:02 Well. Okay, so after getting everything in place, I'm now super busy, but you know, I'm, I'm falling within the lines of what I want to do as far as work hours. Um, so I needed to have some type of system that could track dates, um, things that needed to be filed for compliance for my clients, you know, and just cleared of an overall, um, one touch record of, of phone numbers, business numbers, that sort of thing. And so I did start with another, um, software system and it didn't work out for me because it wasn't cloud-based and I came across jet pack and I find that the function of jet pack is amazing. I can access it from anywhere. If I met my client's office, which I do do occasionally, um, or I'm sitting here or I need to refer to staff or, or somebody, it's all in one place.
LCM: 17:47 And what I found was I was creating tasks, jobs and tasks on jet pack that were very similar to, you know, the processes that I needed to follow in pure bookkeeping. And I thought, well, why wouldn't I just duplicate and put all of the processes that I need to follow in PBS on to jetpack? And so I started with a few templates. I did it with stage first, which is my least favorite socks where, I'm sorry to say, but I did start with that one because that was one of the more difficult clients with my thought. Okay, let's take all of the checklists that I need to use. If you're bookkeeping, get this client on board with jetpack and see how it goes. And the functionality of it was incredible and I kind of thought, wow, why not expand this? So I ended up adding all of the templates to jet pack that correspond to pure bookie begin. Now when I onboard a new client, I literally log into jetpacks, I dropped down whatever template I need for that client. Like if they don't have payroll, I don't need the payroll template. But if they have HSE, I need to pull that one on. You know, the anything to do with onboarding a new client, client documents, everything is right there in one touch. So that has saved me so much time and so much stress about worrying, you know, how to, how to get this client onboarded properly and how to maintain their books.
MP: 19:07 That's incredible. And you spent a lot, I mean just hearing you talk about it, you, you spent a lot of time working on creating this. How much time do you think you've spent building out jetpack workflow for your business?
LCM: 19:23 A lot of time. But I can tell you that anytime you put into any system that's going to streamline your business and make it more efficient is well worth it.
MP: 19:36 The reason I ask is I want to give, you know, when you're sharing the success, it's it, it's often people will look at successful people and say, oh well they, you know, they're an overnight success and they don't see the blood, sweat, tears and the, you know, the 20 years prior that it took to get to where they're at. But what I, what I love about any great story is when an NRA, my own personal journey is when you know, the harder you work, the longer it takes. Often you, you, you get eventually get something that you truly cherish and love. And especially from a motivation standpoint for our listeners is that when you know that you're, if you're building a business, like we know what we know is a big bookkeeping business, a thriving one, a successful one, a highly profitable bookkeeping business is very, very possible.
MP: 20:29 I mean, it's not uncommon. I mean, it's not like everybody has them because they're not doing the right things or not taking the right actions, but to know that what you're building, if you really want that, if you want to have that kind of a life, it's very possible and it just takes work. And when you in the work and the actions, you take the right actions, you will be able to have this outcome. So it's, I think it's a motivator to think every day for you, Lisa, you wake up, you're building an asset, you're building your future, you're building your retirement. And, uh, I just love hearing about it.
LCM: 21:03 Well, that's great. And, and I can tell you as well this, this point in time is also sort of a shift for the bookkeeping world in general. Um, I know there were a few kind of new bookkeepers who were a little bit panicked with all the apps that are coming out. You know, they're, they're saying a five minute bookkeeping and you know, um, apps like, excuse me, apps like receipt bank and Hubdocs, um, that are saying they can pull the data for you. And, and you know, bookkeepers are thinking we're not going to have a business that all the stuff is going to be automated. Well, I can tell you that that's, that's not what's happening. You still need a bookkeeper who's going to put things into place. But what it does do is it eliminates a lot of the data entry that the bookkeeper needs to do.
LCM: 21:44 And it gives us opportunities to step up our game. We are now in a position of being more in an advisory role to our clients. So it's kind of in between the bookkeeper and the accountant, but clients are now looking for more guidance from their bookkeepers. And so having your systems in place ahead of time by having put all that work in, gives you opportunity to really step up your game and be available to those clients who need more than just data entry and compliance. They want to know what can you tell us from our books? Where should we go from here? We need your help with this, this decisions. And that's where I think having all of this in place is really going to show those bookkeepers who really want to build a good business, that they are worth something very valuable to their clients and their years and years of experience is finally gonna pay off. You need to put the work in.
MP: 22:38 Yeah, absolutely. And I love, I love that. No, it's not hard. It's really, it's actually quite simple. It does take time and it does take energy and uh, tapes moving, removing like there were, there were sacrifices that you had to make to get to where you are now.
LCM: 22:56 Oh yeah. Oh yeah. I mean, back then when I was setting everything up, definitely evenings and weekends they were full. I would work my full day with my clients. Uh, and then you know, I was working on my systems and yes, you're exhausted. But I had that vision in my head and I knew something could come of this. I knew that I had, I had it right in front of me. I had Pure Bookkeeping right in front of me. I had jet pack right in front of me. Let's make this work. Just follow it. You've got to just jump in. And I'm one of those people that will stand on the side of the pool and put my toe in before I jump in. But not with this. With this, I went full on, put all of my energy in. My kids dealt with it. You know, mom's busy, but I always say to them, I'm busy right now because I'm working on something that's going to benefit us all in the long run if temporary. So it passes. And so now the next thing comes up. Right. I'm always looking for more.
MP: 23:41 Thanks. Exactly. Well, that's expansion and growth. And I know you've become a bit of a hero in the Pure Bookkeeping licensee member community because the hundreds of hours, yeah. The hundreds of hours that you've put into creating the jetpack workflow integration is now literally getting, being delivered to them at the flip of a switch where all they need to do is just learn how to use it. And it's an instantaneous that they can bring that level of streamlining to their business using Pure Bookkeeping and jetpack, which is a big, big thank you to all our, our listening licensees to you, Lisa, for doing that. And uh, and you've been really helpful in sharing your knowledge and what you've done. I mean, that's, that's the cool thing I love about the Pure bookkeeping. Sorry, I, I, it's actually not the pure bucket. It's the bookkeeping community globally. There you are all just such generous people sharing.
MP: 24:35 It's so almost like I had a, a, a bookkeeper had a conversation with someone that I had just met and she was saying, you know, when I first got into the business I thought, you know, it's like competitors. Like I'm going to, I'm going to have a conversation with a competitor. Will they do the bucketing? And then she realized that when she met them, that person treated them like almost like a partner, like the like appear. And it's not it almost like that there are competitors, but it's such a almost indirect because there's so much opportunity in the marketplace. So many business owners need bookkeepers and there's a limited supply of them that it's such a collaborative and sharing and generous community and that's why I love, I love doing the podcast. I love working with bookkeepers, but you're definitely right.
LCM: 25:16 It's a great community. It's fabulous. We are really, really big on helping each other out. I, you can put any question out there and somebody will respond and you get several different perspectives, which really helps you make the right decision if something comes up or even just something that you haven't experienced before. The community itself is so welcoming. Nobody shoots you down and dough. And I find that especially the, you know, the newer bookkeepers that come on board, they need so much direction and they're listening to two bookkeepers that have been doing it forever, who know things like the back of their hand and, and we want to share that. We want to help people succeed. You don't succeed in life by knocking other people down and stepping on them. You succeed by helping them.
MP: 25:57 Absolutely. And it's, uh, you know, uh, I think that's what we, we pride ourselves on with the successful bookkeeper Facebook community is that we don't tolerate any negativity. There's no place for it. It's not needed. And it's not like we need to police it that much. That's the cool thing is that most are, uh, like the 99% of people that are on their totally positive, uh, generous and, and, and, and wonderful people. But if there is anybody on there that, that, uh, talks, you know, negatively to people or shoots people down or anything, it's like by, by, you know, it just, there's no place for it. And we pride ourselves on that because we don't, we have enough negativity in the world. We don't need to have it in our, our own communities. Right?
LCM: 26:42 No, it's, it's a great space. It really is a great space to communicate, to put things out there and just in general, follow what people are doing, seeing what people are coming up against and see how people are struggling to build their business and guide them, help them out. And then when I say struggle, I mean they might be stuck on an issue. Well there's lots of numbers that can help them out and it's, it's definitely a community that wants to help each other grow.
MP: 27:07 Beautiful.
MP: 27:15 Now, so you've created a lot of freedoms in your life, freedom in your business. You're, you, you have some staff, you have the ability to remove yourself a little bit from the business. Now, what's the future look like for you? Where are you going? What things are you going to be doing?
LCM: 27:30 Oh my. So right now I am doing my certification for profit first, which I could never have done in my opinion had I not set all of this up because I, I am using now my bookkeeping business that I have created as a tool because what I can, what I can offer people in the profit first realm is now more of a cash flow management system, more of how to get them out of debt, how to have their tax obligations already set aside. That's an amazing community in itself. But had I not put all of this in place, I don't think I could do what I'm doing with profit first. So to me it's just one step at a time. The business is now in place. It's almost like I don't really need to think about that as much because I know that, you know, the bookkeeping will be done, it will be done properly to be documented properly. The audit trails are in place now. I can spend more time bringing in those clients that, like I spoke of before, that really want more guidance in their business. So that's, that's where I'm going now. I'm, I'm looking more towards the, the nine would I want to say salting, I don't like that word, but the advisory part of, of the bookkeeping position with the client.
MP: 28:42 Yeah. I think advisory's yeah,
LCM: 28:44 I'm very excited about it.
MP: 28:45 Yeah. I think it's exciting. And, uh, you know, you, you spoke a bit about the role that bookkeepers need to up their game and, and, and use this as an opportunity, which it really is. Small business owners need, needs someone to help them. Right? And so who better than someone who has an incredible knowledge of their financial situation, it's a very trusted place and, and uh, power a powerful place, eh, but it takes, it takes the confidence you have to match your confidence with the owner's confidence and, and show up like a leader in the small business owner and you know, in the presence of the small business owner and lead them. Now you've talked about being advisory and profit first. I mean, just another tool for you to use with these clients to help them be more profitable. I mean, what a great mixture. I love it. And I love Michael Ocala. Amazing. He's a lot of fun. He's been on the podcast as well for listeners. Um, I don't have the episode handy, the number of the episode handy, but if you go in there and search, you can find the episode with Mike McCale and reach out to Lisa if you have questions about it. It's a beautiful program and I've listened to his book. I think it's just so simple, you know, in many ways the energy is amazing.
LCM: 30:03 Yeah, absolutely.
MP: 30:04 And the philosophy of it.
LCM: 30:07 Yeah, exactly. It's all about the client. You have to make your work. Everything that you do has to be about how can you benefit the clients. And so this is why putting the systems in place is how you benefit to clients. That's where you get the confidence because you don't second guess yourself. You know, things are done, you know everything is done the way it's supposed to be done, which gives you the confidence to step up your game.
MP: 30:34 Beautiful. And what's what, what is it? Tell us a few stories of what, what have been the responses from some of your clients with this, the, the changes that you've made over the last couple of years?
LCM: 30:45 Oh, it's, I mean, I just get tons of positive feedback and you know, I just met with a client yesterday and you know, I was telling him I can have a month where I'm just, you know, working away and everything's smooth and all of a sudden I get six inquiries is whether it's from, you know, a Googler or QuickBooks, um, accounting online, that sort of thing. But all of a sudden they'll be inundated with clients and I screened them out and I've actually had clients email me back saying, do you even have bandwidth to accommodate this given your screening process? I do have the screening process because I don't have time for those clients who are shopping for the cheapest bookkeeper or somebody who just wants you to file their HST because it's three years behind. Yeah, I can help you with that. But that's not my focus, that my focus is, is being able to pick and choose the clients that really want to benefit from what we can offer them. So the feedback all around has been very positive. I generally have a very good working relationship with my clients. They're not struggling. I do have a couple that are and they are so excited to get this profit first program in place. I'm, I'm just in my training stages on that right now. So I'm actually working with Beta clients, but just in the little bit that we've done so far, they are stoked and ready to go.
MP: 31:59 Beautiful. That's excellent. And, and nothing like making people more money, uh, for getting, getting a bit of positive feedback.
LCM: 32:07 Well, yeah, I mean I need to help them.
MP: 32:10 Yeah. Yeah. It's, it's, it's beautiful when they're making more money. You're, you're their hero.
LCM: 32:17 Well, you know, it goes full circle, right? They make more money, you make more money. Everybody's happy. Everybody sleeps at night.
MP: 32:23 Exactly. That's a, that's we, we, we should have the, uh, the, the theme music for, it's a wonderful life really. It can be business often is not. And so when there's bright shining stars like that, uh, it's exciting and it's not, it's not difficult. I mean, business has been around for thousands of years and there are practices and processes that are our benchmark. They're just the standard. So, uh, human beings, we overcomplicate things and we make it difficult. And so when we can streamline and simplify and bring the right actions to play, great things happen. And it can be really easy. You know, that big easy button can be pressed.
LCM: 33:06 Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. You know what, these people that take the risk to open up a business to and you know, they sacrifice family time and whatnot, they shouldn't be struggling with that and not getting paid. And bookkeepers have such a crucial role right now because, you know, the definition of a bookkeeper is somebody that, you know, records all transactions within a business that is so outdated because of the apps that are in place. Don't be intimidated by the APPS, use them to your advantage, help your clients. These clients should be, you know, rewarded for taking that risk and opening up a business. Yeah, I be successful.
MP: 33:40 Beautiful. I think under the, the definition of bookkeeper really needs to change to the shepherd of your finances is really, really what the way I, I like to think of it as. And, and our great bookkeeper that we work with bookkeepers, there's a team of them. They, they that do the pure bookkeeping books. I mean, we haven't read business too, so we need great bookkeepers, right? Uh, they, they, I, for me, they occur like my shepherd, right? I know the flock of our dollars are being cared for and it helps give us the knowledge and information to make sure the herd of our money or profit, uh, stays healthy and vibrant and does what it needs to do. And, and that lets me sleep at night. So I just think it's a perfect analogy or metaphor, if you will, for bookkeepers. They are the shepherd for your finances.
MP: 34:28 So that may be a, a new podcast coming out. I don't know. Maybe this has been so greatly. So now you know, I want to share some really great resources that uh, you've been a part of recently that our listener can take advantage of. There is you did a Webinar, uh, with myself and as well with David Cristello from jetpack workflow where he actually unpacked and, and demonstrated how your using jetpack workflow in your practice. And I just want to let the listener know that in the show notes of this episode, there's a link where you can go and register and watch that replay. I think that's a really good opportunity. And of course, if you're interested, there is the seven secrets of growing your bookkeeping business program. You can do that online and as well we'll have some notes and Lisa, thank you for mentioning that. It really is.
LCM: 35:20 Oh, I would highly recommend that. Yeah, great places. And then I took all of your listeners
MP: 35:24 Beautiful. And of course the group if you want to interact with wonderful people like Lisa, get onto our Facebook group, the successful bookkeeper on Facebook. You just search that and join. If you haven't already, you just have a chat with Lisa. If you have questions or want guidance or inspiration, get in there. The community is there for you. Don't do it alone. There are many others that are generous and, and want to help you have the business that you love and the future that you love. So come and come and join us. Lisa, this has been so great. Thank you so much for being on the podcast. Anything else you want to add in terms of if people want to get in touch with you or work with you?
LCM: 36:01 Oh, I've, you know, I would say absolutely be a part of the Facebook group. It's a wonderful resource. I'm on there all the time. I try and help as much as I can. I don't know everything I ask questions too, you know, definitely join that. Definitely read emails. Definitely do the seven secrets program. They, they really make you see things from a different perspective and it's going to change your game.
MP: 36:25 Beautiful. I love it. Thank you so much. Uh, and we'll look forward. Yeah, we'll look forward to having you back. And maybe another year, maybe even sooner than that, because you've got so many things going on that are awesome, so thank you.
LCM: 36:38 I look forward to it. Thank you.
MP: 36:39 Beautiful. Well, that wraps another episode of The Successful Bookkeeper podcast. To learn more about today's guest and to get access to all sorts of valuable free business-building resources, you can go to Thesuccessfulbookkeeper.com until next time, goodbye.
