182 ⎸ The #1 Event to Attend this Year with Erin Pohan

In this interview episode we've got the incredible Erin Pohan joining us to talk all about her journey in accounting, and to share some exciting news about WAVE, the must-attend event for women in accounting this year!

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Erin’s incredible journey from having just one side client to now running her very own bookkeeping firm
• all the exciting details about the upcoming WAVE conference in Seattle
• strategies for making lasting connections at events

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• My performance at Xerocon
• Women in Accounting & Finance Entrepreneurs & Visionaries (WAVE) event in Seattle on May 22nd

Meet Erin

As Founder of UpKeeping® and a proud student in The Ambitious Bookkeeper community, Erin is changing the old & boring stereotypes of the accounting industry. Erin and her team support new entrepreneurs and already-established small business owners by being their #1 financial cheerleader/concierge/communicator.

When she’s not trying to make accounting more “fun”, Erin loves traveling the world with her family, playing the violin, and convincing accounting students & professionals that owning an accounting firm is the American dream.

Connect with Erin

• LinkedIn
• WAVE: Women in Accounting & Finance Entrepreneurs & Visionaries event on May 22, 2025.

Thanks 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 @ambitiousbookkeeper

For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

• Visit our website: ambitiousbookkeeper.com
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Podcast Publishing Tools we use:

• Podcast Editing: Sabr Media LLC
• Descript (affiliate link)
• Buzzsprout (affiliate link)

Transcript

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Serena: 0:35

Welcome back to the Ambitious Bookkeeper podcast. Today I have a super duper special guest on today, Erin Poen. She is the founder and owner of Up Upkeeping. Why am I stumbling over my words? I'm just like way too excited. but welcome Erin, how are you?

Erin: 0:54

I am so good. This is like full circle because I've been on the podcast in a much smaller capacity several years ago now when I was just starting out. I am a lifelong ambitious bookkeeper student. So this is so great to be here.

Serena: 1:12

Yeah, it's so awesome. So, uh, for our listener to have a little background of, like how we met and why you're here today in case, you want to go back and listen to the previous episode we did. I will link it in the show notes at this point. I don't even remember what number it was or what year,

Erin: 1:30

same

Serena: 1:30

but it was probably one of the student spotlight episodes that we did. and Erin has been a bookkeeping business accelerator student since.

Erin: 1:40

2021,

Serena: 1:41

2021. Okay. So that was probably the first or second cohort that I did like the live launch with. I would say you're an OG at this point., Erin: For sure. Yeah. And I feel like, and sometimes I still pop into the VIP meetings and I'm like, see, take advantage. Yeah. I love it. I love having you there and you're so helpful in the group. so yeah, it's really awesome to be able to see like you grow and I'm always there to support people throughout their journey. So, Erin: I am a testament to that. Yes. Just, Yeah. you. have been a mentor since the beginning. And honestly, I mean, this is like the Ambitious Bookkeeper podcast, right? But this is also like a little marketing plug for the Ambitious Bookkeeper because I feel like I'm like Your greatest ambassador. I just love it so much, just the support, and honestly I would not be where I am today without your targeted ad on Facebook or something back then, but I

Erin: 2:37

which is wild because I was working for another firm and I had like one side client and I was Not getting my own clients, you know. besides that one hobby client, working for someone else's clients and just not very happy. And then I saw that ad and it was like, run your own bookkeeping business. And then I was like, okay, we'll see. And I mean, like that catapulted me into this whole wild, wild west world of a bookkeeping

Serena: 3:08

I know.

Erin: 3:08

And it's been great.

Serena: 3:09

That's so awesome. And just like, it's a testament to like sometimes maybe not our listeners here because I think bookkeeping is a little bit different to run ads to, but for anyone that maybe has like a different type of business or like a lot of our clients, a lot of people are afraid to run ads, but Like it literally helps people. Like when you can get in front of the right people, it can help people. So, it's just like selling. Don't like look at it as selling. It's more of like serving. So I look at ads the same way. It's like, this is enabling me to reach people that wouldn't have otherwise heard about me or what I do even like, even if I can just plant that seed in someone that decides to not even go through my program or anything. Like, Hey, it gets more bookkeepers out there.

Erin: 3:55

Yeah, exactly. Yeah. And we all know that's needed. So,

Serena: 4:00

Yeah, absolutely. So let's rewind a little bit and give us, for anyone who doesn't know who you are, give us a little background, on yourself and then we'll go from there.

Erin: 4:11

Yeah. I, uh, so I was just on Alyssa Lange, your Biz Besties podcast. And when she asked me to share about myself, I realized that 2025 hits. Year 20 of working within the accounting industry in some capacity. So I actually started at a Walmart in Virginia. I had just moved back home after making stupid mistakes in Cleveland where I'm from and my parents lived in Virginia. Had to get a job, worked at customer service during Christmas time at a Walmart. It was terrible. Yeah. Immediately after that, they were like, there's a position open in the accounting office, which is just behind that locked door, and I was like, okay, I'm in. I just need a break from people at this moment. So I started working there. That was my first ever accounting role. And from there I was, so I was going to a community college in Virginia. I actually started as a marketing major and switched over to accounting. As soon as I took accounting 101 because I was the only person in that class who was like, this is Awesome. And everyone was like hating their life. So from there, I ended up marrying a Marine and we lived all over the country and the world. And I picked up roles at CPA firms who were so gracious to let a military spouse work for however long they had me. And I helped, I ended up working in the educational sector to help universities and publishers with their accounting content as well, which was great because I lived in Japan at the one point for three years and was able to start that job there and still add to my resume, which was wonderful. and then upkeeping just because of you and the ambitious bookkeeper started in 2021. And so I've been running that in this, New chapter of my life, honestly. We are now a small team of four of us. I've got three part time employees and we're here in Seattle, but we serve clients all over the country and we are, I think we're maybe up to 40. It keeps fluctuating, but yeah, I think we're up to 40 clients now.

Serena: 6:29

Awesome. That's so exciting to hear, like, where people are at in their journey and like, especially since we've been connected for so long, it's just been so fun to watch you grow and do all this cool stuff. Like, the conference that you're putting on. So do you want to talk a little bit about that and how that came about?

Erin: 6:48

I, so we are putting on a one day live event here in Seattle. It is on May 22nd. And even though it is in Seattle, it is for anyone who wants to make the trip. And it's been really exciting because we've already went through our presale and we're selling regular tickets and women from all over the country are buying their tickets. And so this event is for women in accounting and finance. The acronym is WAVE. It's Women in Accounting and Finance, Visionary and Entrepreneurs. So it's the idea that I knew there were women here in this general region, whether it's Seattle, Washington, West Coast, that love what they do. They're very passionate about the accounting industry. They want to grow within their roles or their firms, and they're tired of jumping on an airplane to Orlando to like meet other people in the accounting industry, because I feel like so many of the conferences are over there, which is great, but it's expensive. So I figured, well, if we put something on here, Maybe everyone will come out of the woodwork. And I feel like that's exactly what is happening. just today, I think we got like, probably because of Alyssa's podcast, we have three more, attendees signed up and ready to come. And I'm looking at their address and I'm like, okay, Washington, Washington, Washington. So they are here. We do exist. And so it just, someone just needed to put something together for people to want to come. So this event, I call it a proference and I can't take credit for that, but I just love it so much. it's for women in accounting, as I mentioned, and we will have, speakers. we have, what I'm really excited about is a, Peer strategy session, where, which will be facilitated by an expert leader who does this for a living. She puts peer boards together. So she'll lead us as a group into a conversation about a few key pain points that most of us struggle with, with the idea of this is what it looks like to bring your vulnerability or your weakness to the table and have others help you and collaborate.

Serena: 9:05

That's awesome. I love that idea. That's something that Alyssa and I did on a really small scale this last December in Scottsdale. It was kind of like on a whim where we did like an advisory board basically of, we just threw it out there. We sent out like one, maybe two emails, both of us, and, invited people to come meet with us in Scottsdale for a day and do like a board Strategy session and it was amazing. And yeah, the vulnerability that it requires,

Erin: 9:33

you. Yes. And I

Serena: 9:35

there were tears shed.

Erin: 9:37

and that's okay. And I think that's beautiful. And really that's the heart of this event is to, you know, be around people who want to grow, who want to support others' growth. Because at the end of the day, the future of accounting in this industry is collaboration. It's coming together to support, to encourage, to be there for the hard days, so that way we don't quit or we don't give up. And we can continue to change the industry.

Serena: 10:08

Yeah, absolutely.

Erin: 10:09

And one of the more, more exciting things about the event is that you and Alyssa will be taking the stage and I cannot wait to see what this develops into, but it will be a live podcast that we'll be able to share with the world after, and I, I purposefully wanted it to be you and Alyssa, because you both are. amazing examples of taking something and making so much more from it. So you're like, you continue to be seeds that keep growing. And then not only that, you also support so many other pursuits within your own growth. So I think it just aligns really well. You're also so much about community, obviously. And, the whole BizBestie thing. I just love that.

Serena: 11:02

Yeah. It's going to be super fun. Um, yeah. When, I saw that you were putting on the conference, I was like, I want to sponsor it. So please tell me how,

Erin: 11:11

You guys are also sponsors. You're co sponsoring. So that's funny too.

Serena: 11:16

We're going to do a booth together. So Alyssa has a cool vision for that. So hopefully it comes together the way that she wants it to. I'm kind of like with the two of us when it comes to like organizing, like I'm good at organizing things, but like, I love letting Alyssa take the lead because she always has these like great ideas and she's really good at like. making it happen. And sometimes I feel like I'm just along for the ride. I just got lucky and got like a really good Biz Bessie that just can like do everything. but, yeah, so I'm excited to see her vision come to life. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'm going to keep my mouth shut on that

Erin: 11:53

all about the surprise for sure.

Serena: 11:57

but yeah, when I reached out to you about sponsoring, I don't remember, maybe it was part of that conversation, but you were like, I had a dream

Erin: 12:06

Yeah. Yeah.

Serena: 12:08

or that you guys, I don't know, tell, tell me about what your dream was. Cause I can't quite remember the

Erin: 12:12

Yeah. Well, it's funny. Cause it's like, was it a dream or was I awake? Because I was suffering through this weird illness that I'm still figuring out. And I was on this steroid pack and I could not sleep for like two weeks. I was just laying in bed. And it's one of those things where is your, is. Am I awake? Or have I been sleeping? I can't tell. But the thought of having you and Alyssa up on the stage during the event popped into my head. And so when you reached out, I think you were like, are you doing sponsorships? Or maybe you had seen something I had posted. And I was like, Yes, and also, I had a dream, and you were like, Yeah. Alyssa's here, we're in. And so, I just love how easy that was to just make happen because I just feel like it's so aligned with everything you guys are doing and what the event means, and will mean to the women who get to be in attendance.

Serena: 13:15

yeah, so I'm so, like, I'm so excited for this and I'm very, very impressed with your ability to put together an event while also supporting 40 clients. I know you have a team, but still, it's like a lot to carry. So can you talk about that and how you've been working through that and balancing that? Because I think, like, it's good to be a little bit transparent about those kinds of things. So can you talk about like what it's been like to balance bringing this vision into life? And I know it's not quite there yet, but I'm sure that it's a lot to hold this dream and vision while also holding the dream and vision of your business. I mean, I do the same thing, so I get it, but an event is a totally different undertaking than running two businesses that are running. Yeah,

Erin: 14:08

I work a ton. It's not like I'm gonna sit here and say, yeah, I'm doing this all between 9am and 3pm every day. And you know, I still have time to do all the things I don't. It is currently January, it is busy season. But I feel like if I were going to plan an event at any point, of a year. Doing so in November slash December time frame was the best time because things were really slowing down at the end of the year for us, at upkeeping. And I knew January was right around the corner. I don't know if anyone else has like January scaries, but I do. So I was like, let me get as much done as I can right now. So I was, you know, reaching out to speakers and sponsors and having those conversations, knowing that January is going to be pretty, packed and, I'll have to focus on upkeeping in our clients. So I feel like I set up the event enough that we can take this little break for me to focus on upkeeping and then pick right back up in February. And that's also very much the intent of why the event is in May, because not only does that still give us time, we have a great volunteer committee who All accountants, all same busy season. So the idea is I'm not going to bother you during January with this. You know, I know, we'll pick right back up in February and then. The event's in May, so post tax season for anyone who does tax services and maybe a little respite if you're going to take a trip to Seattle.

Serena: 15:45

that's awesome. I'm trying to remember if I had other questions about the whole event situation.

Erin: 15:51

I can, I can talk so much about it, like I can, so the tickets are 397. We made it really accessible for anyone who wants to come, especially, I know, if people are coming from out of town, uh, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, the, Flight and hotel costs add up really quick. So we also have a hotel room block with a really affordable nightly rate. And the ticket gets you not only the. Event day itself, which is 9 a. m. To 4 30 p. m it comes with the breakfast and the lunch and the chocolate afternoon snack and full day beverage cart and Access to I think we're going the slack route, but a slack channel for attendees To hang out and get to know each other better Brief before the conference set up, pre or post conference events. If anyone comes in early and wants to grab dinner or stays late and wants to do something fun. But again, the idea with this is building community and it's going to have lasting impact before and after.

Serena: 16:59

Awesome. Yeah, that's, that's incredible. Like, that is incredible to include two meals and snacks and drinks for that ticket price. And that's why you need sponsors.

Erin: 17:11

Exactly, yeah, So, very thankful for sponsors.

Serena: 17:14

yeah. yeah, that's super exciting. So, um, Yeah, I'm like not a party planner, so the thought of putting on an event, that's part of why I love doing collaborations with Alyssa, because she loves doing that stuff. But to me, like, planning an event or even, like, even planning a birthday party for my kids stresses me out so hardcore that I'm like, I could not ever plan, like, an event for hundreds of people. but maybe one day I'll work past that. But I'm totally, yeah. Happy to like, I'm that parent that's like, I'm not going to be the room mom, but I will come and volunteer if someone else is organizing and I will donate supplies and I will donate money. So it's like, that's how I feel with sponsorships. I'm like, I'm also sponsoring a, a podcast conference, mom's in podcasting conference. So it's like a very niche little conference as well. It's like, again, a one day thing. It's in Tennessee. I did it. I went to it last year, but this year I was like, I want to be a speaker. Sponsor and she was like, which package do you want? You know, like, 'cause d different sponsor levels can get you on stage or whatever. And I was like, I wanna do this level, but I don't really wanna talk in front of people. I just wanna be there and participate. Like I wanna be able to enjoy it. And so yeah, I'll get up and do like a five minute spiel or whatever, but yeah, I was like, I'm already gonna be at, you know,

Erin: 18:34

I love how you say that, yet here we are, what, three months post you getting on Xero's XeroComms conference. stage and singing, so

Serena: 18:44

Singing is way easier than talking.

Erin: 18:46

You are crazy! I beg to differ, and I think that's amazing that you actually think that.

Serena: 18:53

I mean, it's taken some mindset shifts to get there for sure.

Erin: 18:57

Yeah.

Serena: 18:58

And the fact that I wasn't alone on that stage helped a ton. Both of us were like a buddy system with that. It was like, that's why I was there to support Scottie. And I didn't feel like, you know, the spotlight wasn't really on me completely. Although like it was a big stage and a room of like a couple thousand people. Which is by far the biggest audience I've ever been on stage in front of. but for some reason, like, I don't know, I guess all the work I put in paid off on like meditating and all the

Erin: 19:32

don't know, for anyone who's listening, like, if you felt the same way I did when all of that came to light, that that's what happened at XeroCon, but I was like, and this, my friends, is what it looks like when you go after your dreams, because that was just like goals. It was really cool to just even just experience through social media.

Serena: 19:55

Not even, it's not even just like going after your dreams, but I mean, you kind of touched on it before how you like, you, you just kind of like, asked the question, the dream that you had, you're like, I would love to have you both on stage. And we're like, heck yes. That's kind of how like the Xerocon thing happened because of the relationships that you build. So it's not, it's not just that you have the dream and just that you're working toward it, but like you actually have to put yourself in the circle of the right people. And it's not like I ever had the intention of doing that. Yes. Xerocon stage has been on my dream board since like 2021, but it was like, maybe someday. I will speak on that stage. It was like a dream stage to speak on and So the, like, leading up to that since 2021 was, I, I didn't, wasn't like keeping that in my, like, goals of like doing things to get me towards that. It was more like, because I have that vision, I'm now putting myself in the room with other people that are all about Xero. I happened to go to those conferences and meet people. And I met Scott there, the first XeroCon, and we started talking about podcasting. And then like, it's, it's all about like, Having the right conversations, but not like doing it in a way with an end goal, if that makes sense. Like it all just came together at the end where he was like, would you do this? And I was like, for a moment, I was like, I'm going to wait to respond for a minute. And then my fingers wouldn't let me wait. Cause I was like, I wanted to say no, but I like typed back. I was like, hell yes. And I was like, what have I done? Because it's like, the universe knows like, this is a goal for you. And like, that's an opportunity that. You don't pass up, no matter how scary it is. So,

Erin: 21:45

So true, and I love how you said like the goal like even for me in networking events I do I I love people So, I just love going to networking events with the goal of just meeting new people and What I've learned Over the years now is it's never about that night. It's never about that two hour event. It's about continuing to speak to those people. and two years down the line, you might be front of mind for them when someone is looking for help with accounting. Or when someone's putting on an event and you would be perfectly aligned for that event or that stage and the, the relationships that you're able to build in between have nothing to do with that opportunity. And then also in the opportunities, just the cherry on top.

Serena: 22:37

yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. I love the way that you put, you put that so much more beautifully. I was like, so rambly story about it, but yeah, that's absolutely right. It's, it is about. the relationships that you continue to cultivate after that conference. So it's great to talk about this before an event that you put on so that people, that's always my thing too, is like, before I go to an event, I sit down and I write in my notes app on my phone. Like if there are specific people at that event that I know they're going to be there. And I want to make a point to talk to them. Not for any self serving reason, but just like, I know they're going to be there. And this is a person I want to know and connect with. Like I'll make a list of people I want to meet and have a conversation with or take a picture with. Like it can be as simple as that. Like, I just want to make sure I get a picture with this person, you know, like for the

Erin: 23:30

That was me at Intuit Connect this year. I'm like, I know you, you don't know me. Can we have a picture?

Serena: 23:37

yeah. And, and then the other thing too is like, I decide on what my intention for that event is and Nine times out of ten, the intention for me, I've learned some things about myself. If I go into it being like, I want to learn a specific strategy, that's not going to happen. I'll miss the session or whatever happens, right? So usually what my intention is, as I've gotten used to going to more events, is actually just to connect with people and trust that the right people are going to be introduced to me. I'm going to be introduced to the right people. And that's what I've been These relationships will flourish from there, but it does take effort afterwards. Like, you have to continue to connect with those people, like, follow them on social, shoot them an email, like, try to stay organized about it.

Erin: 24:24

Yeah, organizing is key. I don't do that and I should.

Serena: 24:29

Yeah, it is kind of tricky, like, I'll collect business cards from people. I handed out some business cards at XeroCon, and I didn't hear, really, from anyone, but I didn't hand out very many of them. I did try to, like, email people that I got business cards from, but I don't even Like when I'm marketing myself for my firm, when I do like local events and do stuff on that side, I use a digital, contact card. I use the

Erin: 24:58

nice. Yeah.

Serena: 24:59

yeah, that one is really cool. If someone else also has Blink, it'll like save their information. Like it'll swap for you. Most people don't, but most people, when I show it to them, they're like, Oh my gosh, I need to create this.

Erin: 25:12

Yeah, my mind was blown the first time. I was like, I've got literally every piece of information from you that I need. So, and it's saved in my phone. It's so cool.

Serena: 25:22

Absolutely. It's great. So yeah, as people are thinking about coming to WAVE, then now you have little, thing that you can do is like figure out your business card situation and figure out your intentions and your list of people that you want to meet.

Erin: 25:36

Yeah.

Serena: 25:37

think that's enough, honestly. Just be present.

Erin: 25:39

that, that is it. Be present, come with the expectation that this is a place, a safe place for you to feel heard, to take up all the space and to carry new relationships that you will create into your future.

Serena: 26:05

Yeah. Yeah. That's so important. yeah, it is so important. Maybe you'll meet your biz bestie there.

Erin: 26:11

Yeah. maybe that's my, that's my, uh. Next ad campaign with it, come meet your biz bestie.

Serena: 26:19

Yeah. Yeah, I'm all for that one. will your BizBestie be there? Do you have a BizBestie?

Erin: 26:29

biz bestie for a while. You remember Remy, right? Remy, if you're listening, Yademi, she was my person. So we both went through your program at the same time and she was, My person, year two of upkeeping was really, really hard. I think you know that I actually reached out to you for support and I went through a lot of mindset work from setbacks that I had in year two and she was the person that I could call and be like, This is hard and we could talk about it. And it, it was so important for me, to have that person at that time. Like I could cry thinking about it, but,

Serena: 27:13

I have goosebumps because I know exactly how you feel and that's what Alyssa is to me too. It's like, It is so crucial to have that person. So for anyone listening, if you're in your first year of business, it might get really hard at some point and you do need a person besides your spouse.

Erin: 27:29

yeah, yeah. And, if you're listening, Yara, she's so busy now. It's like we've hardly had time to connect, but I know, I know I could pick up the phone right now and be like, hey, and she'd be like, what's up?

Serena: 27:43

yeah, yeah, for sure. And Alyssa and I go through long periods of time where we don't talk for maybe like a month and then we talk every day. So it's like, it's just like a regular friendship where, we don't take it personally. We both have lives too. We don't live in the same city. It was really nice having her here locally for like a month and a half. Um, I was like depressed when she left because I was like, my best friend is gone. But

Erin: 28:13

special. And In order to make it happen, you have to make yourself open to it. So, if anything comes from this event in May, I truly hope that its relationships are formed. I'm not selling a course, or I don't have time to create a community after,

Serena: 28:33

you're like, I don't have

Erin: 28:34

like speaking of real time yeah, like I just genuinely,

Serena: 28:38

doing this from the, yeah, the bottom of your heart, I guess. Which is so amazing. And I think that's what's going to make this event be like none other, because that really isn't, there's always an agenda with events. Like if it's put on by a software company, You know, trying to get more people to adopt the software or learn more about the software. if it's put on by a group of people, like sometimes it is selling a course or selling a mastermind or, Some sort of thing like that. And so the fact that you really don't have an agenda like that, it truly is about giving to the community and connecting people is going to make this just an amazing event and I cannot wait.

Erin: 29:25

And yes, it is. I, yeah, I, I can't wait. to see who else decides to sign up. We've got a huge ambitious bookkeeper crowd already. Um,

Serena: 29:37

I'm good.

Erin: 29:37

fun to just, uh, and it is a testimony to just building relationships, even on social media, and then watching these online virtual relationships come into your real life. So this is your chance to step into real life with other accountants.

Serena: 29:57

Yeah. I truly think that's going to be like I mean, that's my focus for this year is to just pour more into relationships like in person and doing more in person stuff you know, on the client side, on the bookkeeping side, all of it, and I feel like That's kind of where things are headed. You know, like go back to the olden days where we did like some in person networking and stuff like that.

Erin: 30:25

yeah. except for now with social media, it doesn't have to be like just Seattle or just, you know, a certain area, a certain city. It's like, cool. Where's the next event? We're in Denver. Let's go. We're going to Dallas. Let's go.

Serena: 30:44

And it's a great way to just be able to explore, explore the country and see new places. And that's what I love about one day events too, by the way.

Erin: 30:53

Yeah.

Serena: 30:53

Because, especially with the family, like, if it's a two or three day event, you have a day of travel on either end, and then it's like, then you feel guilty for adding, on another day to explore the city that you're going to, and so, for me, I usually don't. on those longer events. I get there, the next day is the event, and then I leave either the final day of the event, or the morning after. And so like, that's why I love one day events, because now you have wiggle room in case you can take an extra day, and you're not exhausted and ready to be home yet, you know? So yeah,

Erin: 31:29

I'm notorious for leaving on the last day of the conference, and of course, like, The agenda's never, like, fully done, and then I realize, oh, great, I'm missing, like, three things I really want, Yeah. I really wanted to go to.

Serena: 31:42

Yeah. If anything, like, for anyone considering going to larger, like, multi day events, if you're gonna miss any of the event, miss the first day. Because the end of the event is where all the fun happens.

Erin: 31:56

Yeah. show up passionately late, people will be like, oh, you made it, and then there you go.

Serena: 32:02

They won't even know if you were there on the first day in a large event. It's like, I just missed you yesterday, I guess.

Erin: 32:07

That's So, true. Yeah.

Serena: 32:10

So, um, yeah. Okay, so I have one more fun thing that I'm gonna be trying to do on interviews this year. And you're my guinea pig, because you're my first interview of the year. I'm going to do a fun little game. did this on one of the podcasts I did with Alyssa whenever I went to visit her. And it was easier with her because She's not the only Alyssa Lange. You are literally the only Erin Poehn.

Erin: 32:40

You know what? That's hilarious. I'm not, I'm

Serena: 32:43

You're not? Okay.

Erin: 32:44

Aaron Poland, who is my husband's cousin and people like always.

Serena: 32:49

on the internet about her,

Erin: 32:50

Okay. Well this is, oh, I know what game this is. This is fun. I'm also

Serena: 32:54

Well, so I just, I had to change the game is what I'm saying. I would have wanted to do that game of like, did you say this or did the other Erin say it? I can't play that game. So instead we're doing this or that. And let me get my notes up. this or that accounting edition, just so people can like, I just think these are fun. It's to get to know people and be like, Oh, maybe, you know, someone is going to be like, Oh my gosh, I'm like exactly the same as you and reach out to you and you'll have a new best bestie. Okay. So first section is tools and tech. QuickBooks online are zero. I already know

Erin: 33:29

QuickBooks Online.

Serena: 33:32

HubDoc or Dext?

Erin: 33:34

Ooh, Neither. but I guess Hubdoc.

Serena: 33:37

Neither. Why neither? Do you use the QuickBooks functionality

Erin: 33:40

Yeah. Yeah, but I do have a client who lives in Hubdoc and it works really well for them. I don't know anything about Dex, so Hubdoc it is.

Serena: 33:48

And so, side note, has the receipt capture stuff improved in QuickBooks Online

Erin: 33:54

I think it has. I feel like with the um, ability to add from the app, that's been a game changer.

Serena: 34:01

Yeah. Gusto or ADP?

Erin: 34:04

Gusto!

Serena: 34:06

Excel or Google Sheets?

Erin: 34:08

Ooh, Google Sheets?

Serena: 34:10

Really? Interesting. Okay. Online or local bank accounts?

Erin: 34:16

Mmm. Shout out to Relay.

Serena: 34:19

Yep. Dubsado or Ignition?

Erin: 34:22

Dubsado.

Serena: 34:24

Okay. Asana or ClickUp?

Erin: 34:26

Ooh, neither. I was Asana for a while. Um, Keeper. Can we add

Serena: 34:31

Keeper. I was like, should I put like Keeper on here or ClickUp and whatever. Cause I'm going to hear the answer anyways. Digital calendar or physical planner.

Erin: 34:39

Oh, digital. Oh my goodness. I love physical planners for like, Three days and then they remain blank. So it's a problem.

Serena: 34:48

Know yourself.

Erin: 34:50

Yeah.

Serena: 34:51

Zoom or Google Meet.

Erin: 34:53

Ooh, Zoom.

Serena: 34:55

Okay. All right. Now this one's about like event culture, like conference culture and events. In person conferences or virtual summits.

Erin: 35:04

Yeah. In person.

Serena: 35:06

Hands down. Early morning keto or late afternoon breakout session.

Erin: 35:12

Ooh, I, I'm gonna have to go with early morning keynote.

Serena: 35:17

Networking events or panel discussions.

Erin: 35:20

Ooh, I love panels. I love a good panel.

Serena: 35:24

Swag bags or free coffee stations.

Erin: 35:27

Both. You're really gonna make me choose. That one's hard.

Serena: 35:30

both on literally everything.

Erin: 35:33

Okay. Three coffee stations and that was a part of this event that I was like, we have to get the all day beverage cart because I've been to so many conferences where it's like you hit that afternoon like 3 p. m. lag and you're like, where's the coffee? And they're like, oh yeah, that was with

Serena: 35:49

it away.

Erin: 35:50

Yeah.

Serena: 35:51

Yeah. bookkeeping retreats or tech focused

Erin: 35:56

Bookkeeping retreats. Happy

Serena: 35:58

Lunch and learn sessions or happy hour meetups.

Erin: 36:00

meetups.

Serena: 36:02

Oh! Big name keynote speakers or niche relatable presenters.

Erin: 36:07

Niche relatable presenters.

Serena: 36:09

I hope we're getting a look into your conference with

Erin: 36:12

I know, I'm like, uh, I mean,

Serena: 36:14

You're giving it all away. Beachside conference location or big city convention center?

Erin: 36:21

Beachside would be great.

Serena: 36:23

Yeah. Conference after party or heading to bed early?

Erin: 36:26

after party. I hear there may be a party bus being ordered for

Serena: 36:31

Oh, awesome.

Erin: 36:33

Talk to Alyssa.

Serena: 36:34

Yeah, I know, wherever she's at, those will be there. yeah, and even though I'm an introvert, I still, like, when I'm at these things, I do get FOMO if I don't participate in things, so I, I power through, I will be drinking caffeine even though, like, I don't drink a lot of caffeine anymore for certain things when in Rome. It calls for it. So, yeah, I'm super excited for your event. Do you have any other closing remarks, that you want to share? Is there an easy URL people can go to if they're just listening? It'll be in the show notes,

Erin: 37:06

Yeah. We'll leave it in the show notes, because I did have one, but it works 50 percent of the time. It works every time. So I'll make sure you have the right one to use. And, last remarks. I shared this on Alyssa's podcast and I think it's so important that it'll just go. continue to be shared. Even if you can't make this event here in Seattle in May, there is room for you, listener, in this industry and, you don't need anyone's permission to create an event yourself or just take up the space and share your voice. So we just need to know you exist. So show yourself and find a biz bestie. And yeah. Thanks for having me, Serena.

Serena: 37:50

you're so welcome. And I have one more question about the confer the event. Are you capping the attendance number?

Erin: 37:57

Yes, so we are, it's going to be a much more smaller focus, just to build the relationships and so people don't feel like they're lost in a big room. And so we're hoping to get at least 50 women in the room. Ideally 65 is our max.

Serena: 38:20

Okay, awesome. Good to know. So, if you're listening to this, don't delay

Erin: 38:25

Yeah, we're in, we're just about, yeah, we're just about halfway sold out.

Serena: 38:30

Wow, that's actually really incredible for a pre sale situation. Like, I've, I've heard of events not being even at half like a month before. So

Erin: 38:42

Oh wow, okay, well get on it then

Serena: 38:44

yeah.

Erin: 38:45

Yeah. because I, I do, I mean we have to like have our hard counts in 30 days before, but yeah, we want you here if you can make it, so please sign up or reach out if you have questions.

Serena: 38:57

Yeah. Amazing. Thank you so much for sharing on the podcast and being a part of the community. and if you're in my Facebook group, reach out to Erin. She's in there. and yeah, so thank you again so much and we'll talk to you next week.

Erin: 39:13

Thank you.