Want to Actually Grow Your Business While Still Enjoying Your Latte? Welcome back to Balanced! Steph, your bookkeeper and fellow entrepreneur, is sharing a game-changing perspective in this quick 10-minute episode. 

Forget restrictive budgeting and the myth of constant cost-cutting. Discover how intentional spending and financial clarity are your secret weapons for sustainable savings and business success (yes, the latte is safe!). Tune in for the details! 

What You'll Learn:

• [0:25] The Latte Lie: Why cutting small personal expenses isn't the key to business savings.
• [1:05] Intentional Spending > Blind Cutting: Focusing on making every dollar work for your business goals.
• [2:05] Unlock Your Bookkeeping Power: See your financial records as a tool for strategic decision-making.
• [3:10] Quick Bookkeeping Wins: Learn to analyze your profit & loss, gross margins, and expense categories.
• [5:10] Value Your Time: Understand the real cost of doing everything yourself.
• [6:40] Time Audit 101: Simple steps to track your time and identify areas for outsourcing.
• [7:55] Spending with Intention: Align your business spending with your core values and growth objectives.
• [9:05] Spend to Save: Discover when strategic investments can lead to long-term cost savings.
• [9:45] Get Financial Clarity Now: Learn about Steph's free consultations and in-depth diagnostic reviews.

Resources to Take Action:

• Get personalized advice! Book your FREE one-on-one bookkeeping consultation today.
• Ready for a deep dive into your financials? Explore the Diagnostic Review service.
• Don't miss out on more practical business tips! Subscribe to Balanced!
• Help another entrepreneur find financial peace – share this episode!

Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!

Are you a small business owner or aspiring entrepreneur held back by the need for everything to be "just right" before you launch? Host Steph Blain shares relatable experiences and practical strategies to break free from perfection paralysis. Learn to embrace imperfect action, effectively organize business finances, and find more work life balance by launching before you're 100% ready. This podcast for entrepreneurs offers real-world advice for navigating the challenges of starting a business.

Inside This Episode:

• Steph Blain's Vulnerable Launch Story [0:45]: Relatable honesty about launching outside the comfort zone.
• Defining Perfection Paralysis [2:15]: The frustrating state of stalled progress in your financial organization.
• The Fear Behind the Facade [5:30]: Exploring the anxieties fueling perfectionism (failure, judgment, imposter syndrome) as a business owner.
• Lost Opportunities: The Price of Waiting for Perfect [8:30]: Real-world consequences of delay when building your small business.
• Key Mindset Shifts for Progress:
  • Done > Perfect (in your bookkeeping & accounting)
  • Embrace the First Draft
  • Service Over Self
  • Fear as a Sign of Growth
  • Compare Less
• Actionable Strategies to Launch Now:
  • Set a Public Deadline
  • Break it Down
  • Define Non-Negotiables
  • Embrace "Good Enough" & Beta

Take Imperfect Action Now:

• [24:15] What's one tiny, imperfect step you can commit to in the next 24 hours?
• Ready to ditch perfectionism and grow? Get a FREE consultation with Steph at Starlight Bookkeeping to discuss your business goals!
• Solidify your foundation first! Download our FREE "Leaky Bucket Report" and find hidden funds for growth.
• Subscribe to Balanced: Get more real-world tips for launching and growing! .
• Share this episode: Help a fellow entrepreneur break free from perfection paralysis!

Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!

Feeling stuck with a business goal that no longer resonates? Host Steph Blain gets real about why it's not only okay, but powerful, to pivot in your entrepreneurial journey. Learn to shed the guilt of changing direction and discover how aligning your business decisions with your core values leads to a more fulfilling and balanced life. This episode provides practical insights on recognizing when it's time to evolve your goals and how to do so authentically.

Key Pivot Points:

• [0:55] The Pressure to Persevere (and Permission to Change): Why sticking to a misaligned goal hurts.
• [2:30] Paradigm Shifts: A Natural Part of Business Growth: Understanding fundamental changes in your perspective.
• [4:15] The Strength in Adapting: What the Smartest Leaders Know: Embracing flexibility over stubbornness.
• [5:45] Overcoming Pivot Paralysis: Releasing the Guilt of Changing Your Mind: It's progress, not failure.
• [8:15] You're the Driver: Reclaiming Ownership of Your Goals: They serve you, not the other way around.
• [9:45] Beginning with Your "Why": Aligning Vision and Core Values: The foundation for purposeful direction.
• [14:30] Your Guiding Principles: Identifying and Honoring Core Values: Your internal compass for decision-making.
• [20:45] Purposeful Pivoting: Strategic Evolution, Not Impulsive Action: Knowing your "why" behind the change.
• [23:30] A Simple 3-Step Framework for Intentional Pivots: Reflect, Realign, Plan for a smoother transition.
• [26:45] Turning Past Goals into Future Wisdom: Learning from Every Experience: No effort is truly wasted.
• [27:30] Your Values as Your Anchor: Staying Grounded Through Business Changes: Maintaining authenticity.

Take Action & Connect:

• [27:50] Your 10-Minute Pivot Reflection: Identify a goal causing stress and assess its alignment with your values.
• Share your insights! DM Stephanie on Instagram @_stephblain_
• Subscribe to Balanced: Don't miss future conversations on balancing business and life!
• Leave a Review! Your feedback helps other entrepreneurs discover valuable content.

Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!

Ready to scale your business without the overwhelm? Join your host Steph, a bookkeeper and fellow entrepreneur, who's built a business, she shares the real, actionable steps you can take today to set yourself up for success tomorrow. On this episode of Balanced, Steph breaks down the practical strategies for getting your finances scale-ready, building efficient business systems, cultivating the right growth mindset and leadership, and strategically building your support team. 

If you're dreaming of expansion but not sure where to start, this is for you. Grab your coffee and let's make scaling feel less scary and more "let's do this!"

Key Growth Prep Steps:

• [1:44] Financial Fitness for Scaling: Know your numbers to grow confidently. 
  • • [2:50] Keep Books Updated (Monthly Wins!).
    • [3:36] Focus on What Matters: Key Metrics.
    • [4:18] Secure Your Future with a Cash Buffer.
    • [4:55] Make Growth Real with Simple Planning.
    • [5:50] Smart to Ask for Financial Help.
  • [8:30] Smooth Scaling with Systems: Document once, grow easily. 
    • [9:10] Your First Task SOP.
    • [10:00] Automate & Use Templates: Save Time!
    • [11:10] Organized Files = Future Sanity.
    • [11:50] Regular Review for Growth.
  • [13:10] Lead Your Growth: Mindset Matters: Shift to CEO thinking. 
    • [13:55] Your Dedicated Growth Hour.
    • [14:45] Believe You Can Grow.
    • [15:15] Invest in Being a Better Leader.
    • [16:00] Let Others Help You Grow.
    • [17:10] See Yourself as the Future CEO.
  • [18:30] Your Dream Team for Scaling: Delegate for bigger impact. 
    • [19:05] Envision Your Future Team.
    • [19:50] Start Delegating Something Small.
    • [20:25] "Who Not How" for the Win!
    • [21:15] Hire People Who Get You.
    • [21:55] Communicate & Trust Your Team.

Ready to take the first step towards scale-ready finances? 

• Get a FREE consultation with Steph at Starlight Bookkeeping to discuss your growth! 
• Before you scale, make sure your financial foundation is solid. Download our FREE "Leaky Bucket Report" and find money that could be used for growth! 
• Subscribe to Balanced for more real-world scaling strategies and   actionable tips in every episode! 
• Share this with an entrepreneur ready to scale – it could be exactly what they need!

Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!

Welcome back to Balanced the Podcast! Your host, Steph (bookkeeper and business owner), brings you real, down-to-earth conversations about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, helping you balance business growth and a fulfilling life.

In this episode, we're tackling a topic that can often feel overwhelming but is absolutely crucial for business success and peace of mind: organizing your business finances. If you've ever felt like your bookkeeping is a chaotic puzzle, you're not alone. Steph shares practical, stress-free strategies to get your books in order, leading to a clearer mind and more control over your business.

Key Topics Covered:

• [0:40] Clean Books, Clear Mind: Why organized bookkeeping means peace of mind and business control, beyond just taxes.
• [1:30] The Cost of Messy Books: Discover how disorganized finances hurt your business with missed deductions and tax stress.
• [3:00] Declutter Your Business Finances: A Step-by-Step Guide: Actionable steps to streamline your bookkeeping system. 
  • [3:45] Step 1: Simplify Categories: Declutter your accounts for easier tracking.
  • [5:00] Pro Tip: Use Bank Feeds: Simplify categorization by connecting your accounts.
  • [5:30] Step 2: Reconcile Accounts: Match transactions to bank statements for accuracy and fraud prevention.
  • [6:30] Step 3: Review Recurring Transactions: Cut unnecessary subscriptions to save money.
• [8:00] The Golden Rule of Financial Clarity: Steph's key principle for effective bookkeeping.
• [9:00] Stay Tax Ready: Your Monthly 15-Minute Routine: Simple habits for year-round financial organization and less tax stress. 
  • [9:30] Categorize Transactions Consistently.
  • [10:00] Review Your Income Accuracy.
  • [10:30] Check and Follow Up on Unpaid Invoices.
• [11:00] Tools for Easy Bookkeeping: Explore QuickBooks features and helpful apps. 
  • [11:15] Automate with QuickBooks Bank Rules.
  • [12:00] Use the "Ask My Accountant" Category.
  • [12:30] Simplify Receipts with Management Apps.
• [13:45] DIY vs. Hiring a Bookkeeper: Making the Right Choice: Guidance on when to handle books yourself or get professional help.
• [16:30] The Benefits of Organized Finances: Recap: clean books improve your business and well-being.
• [17:00] Your Next Steps: Free Checklist & Review: Resources to implement better bookkeeping. 
  • [17:15] Get Your Free Bookkeeping Checklist.
  • [17:45] Book a QuickBooks Diagnostic Review for Personalized Help.
• [18:45] Conclusion: Achieve Financial Clarity for Business Success.

Links & Resources:

• Keep your books squeaky clean year-round with your FREE no-stress guide to keeping your business finances in check
• Book a diagnostic review for your QuickBooks to get a personalized step-by-step plan to declutter your business finances.
• Looking for more real-world business strategies? Subscribe to Balanced and get actionable tips in every episode! 
• Know an entrepreneur who needs practical solutions? Share this Balanced episode – it could be exactly what they need! 

Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!

Balanced the Podcast - Episode 1: Welcome to Balanced the Podcast! 

Welcome to Balanced the Podcast! In our very first episode, your host Steph (bookkeeper by trade, business owner by heart!) kicks things off with a down-to-earth introduction to the podcast and her journey. If you're a fellow entrepreneur, whether just starting out or navigating the thick of it, you're in the right place. We're diving into real, actionable tips for getting your bookkeeping and accounting in order, helping you find that sweet spot between business growth and a balanced life. Beyond the numbers, we'll also be exploring the broader ups and downs of entrepreneurship, from mindset to motivation. Grab your coffee and join the conversation – let's navigate this balanced life together! 

Key Topics:

• [0:00] Welcome to Balanced! Meet your host, Steph.
• [0:55] Why this podcast? Steph's story and passion for balanced business.
• [2:30] From corporate dreams to stay-at-home mom to accidental bookkeeper.
• [5:45] The turning point: realizing the need for a different path.
• [7:15] Diving into the world of bookkeeping and the initial overwhelm.
• [9:30] The evolution of her business and the love for the entrepreneurial side.
• [11:45] Why a podcast? Connecting with other business owners and sharing knowledge.
• [13:30] What to expect from Balanced: more than just bookkeeping!

Links:

• Juggling business and life? Don't let hidden cash leaks add to the chaos! Our FREE report pinpoints 52 potential drains. Find balance – starting with your bottom line! 
• Ready for some actionable steps for your books? Your personalized price is just a few clicks away! Click here to get started with a FREE, no-obligation bookkeeping services quote. 
• Looking for more real-world business strategies? Subscribe to Balanced and get actionable tips in every episode!
• Know an entrepreneur who needs practical solutions? Share this Balanced episode – it could be exactly what they need!
• Want daily doses of motivation and practical business tips beyond the podcast? Follow Steph on Instagram.

Want more tips on balancing business and life? Follow me on Instagram for insights on bookkeeping, business, and everything in between!