249 ⎸ [Q&A] Starting a Firm While Employed, Hiring Advice, and Employee Benefits episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 8, 2026 · 51 MIN

249 ⎸ [Q&A] Starting a Firm While Employed, Hiring Advice, and Employee Benefits

from The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast · host Serena Shoup, CPA

This round of Live Q&A we got into some really good stuff: how to navigate starting your firm while you're still employed, why book to tax differences are completely normal and not something to lose sleep over, and how I approach the "can I afford to hire" conversation with clients (spoiler: it's rarely just about the numbers). I also pulled back the curtain on my monthly client newsletter, walked through my PTO and benefits setup for a part-time team, and gave a real update on the new version of Elevate that's dripping out in early September.Grab a notebook and your favorite drink and let's go.In this episode you’ll hear:How to approach telling your current employer you're starting a firmMy take on where clients really come from and what to focus on first when you're trying to grow.A full walkthrough of my client newsletter strategyAnd how I do my part-time team's employee benefitsResources mentioned in this episode:Elevate https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/elevateBookkeeping Business Accelerator (BBA): https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/bbaTake Command (medical expense reimbursement program for the team)Xero: https://xeroamericas.partnerlinks.io/79afz10exu7dQuickBooks Online: https://www.referquickbooks.com/s/Serena4Squarespace: https://squarespace.syuh.net/AgROVNGoCardless: https://manage.gocardless.com/refer/us/serena/ygvg9o-amzGusto : https://gusto.com/partners/i/serena591Liz Wilcox's Email Marketing Membership: https://serenashoup--lizwilcox.thrivecart.com/list-building-live/Alyssa Lang / Workflow Queen's Breakthrough: https://serenashoup.krtra.com/t/IKUxtNZoz7lFKajabi: https://app.kajabi.com/r/SLFEMUL4/t/uiptq7nuMax Emery / GoPro Bookkeeping: https://www.skool.com/go-pro-bookkeeping/about?ref=216fd17bf3b64591bbd1f284f72ae8b7Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeperFor more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.comFollow me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeperConnect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpaThank you for your support of our show. If you haven’t left a review yet it’s super simple. Please go to ambitiousbookkeeper.com/podcast and leave your review.Podcast Publishing Tools we use:Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llcDescript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1753696 (affiliate link)

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This round of Live Q&A we got into some really good stuff: how to navigate starting your firm while you're still employed, why book to tax differences are completely normal and not something to lose sleep over, and how I approach the "can I afford to hire" conversation with clients (spoiler: it's rarely just about the numbers). I also pulled back the curtain on my monthly client newsletter, walked through my PTO and benefits setup for a part-time team, and gave a real update on the new ve...

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249 ⎸ [Q&A] Starting a Firm While Employed, Hiring Advice, and Employee Benefits

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