Gentle Frog’s Bookkeeping Lily Pad

Episode Thirty Three - Bookkeeping Business Discussion: From Contractor Status to 1099s

In this episode join Rachel Barnett and the Bookkeeping Handmaid, Elizabeth Sims, in a discussion on the ins and outs of operating a small bookkeeping business. Tune in as they tackle common questions, and shed light on crucial aspects of running a successful bookkeeping venture. From addressing misconceptions about contractor status to unraveling the complexities of W-9s and 1099s. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this candid conversation is sure to provide valuable tips and inspiration to fuel your journey in the world of bookkeeping.

Episode Thirty Two - Unlocking Efficiency: The Roles of Admin Help in Business Operations

In this episode, Rachel dismantles the myth of the "super admin" and explores the various tasks that can be efficiently outsourced. From social media management to client communication oversight. Learn how strategic delegation can alleviate bottlenecks, empower your team, and propel your business forward. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just beginning to explore administrative support, tune in to uncover the secrets of maximizing efficiency with admin help.
 
Grow My Accounting Practice with Mike Michalowicz - https://growmyaccountingpractice.com/
Gentlefrog.com/about

Episode Thirty One - Identifying What Role to Fill First in Your Bookkeeping Business

As your business expands, you might find yourself at a crossroads, needing to bring on additional support. The first step? Figuring out which role to fill. It's important to identify exactly what you need and what will benefit you the most (not what’s trendy or popular). When Rachel embarked on her Gentle Frog journey, she didn't seek another bookkeeper. Instead, her initial hire was her former CRM manager (Nena) who was responsible for tracking incoming leads and nudging—sometimes pushing—her to follow up. This role was all about tying up loose ends. Spoiler: Rachel's need for someone to organize her loose ends hasn't changed in the past five years, this is why you hear about Jess so frequently!
 
Nena - my former “boss”, CRM manager, and right hand: https://www.linkedin.com/in/snezana-markoc-908124170/. If you are looking for someone to forcefully nudge you along, reach out to her and ask if she’s accepting clients.

Episode Thirty - Harmonizing Team Support in Your Bookkeeping Bookkeeping

In this episode, Rachel delves into setting clear expectations for working with your team and explores various strategies to support your team members effectively. She shares insights on creating a collaborative environment where both you and your team can thrive, achieving mutual satisfaction in the working relationship. Rachel highlights practical tools like Slack for communication and the importance of a thoughtful onboarding process.
Otter for transcriptions - https://otter.ai/home
Slack - https://slack.com/
The whole team - https://www.gentlefrog.com/about/
Nena, our former admin (CRM manager) who helped shape Rachel and Gentle Frog into what has become - https://www.linkedin.com/in/snezana-markoc-908124170/

Episode Twenty Nine - The Upsides of (Accidentally) Underbidding Projects

In this episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad, Rachel Barnett dives into the silver linings of underbidding projects. Despite the initial feelings of disappointment, she highlights the benefits like cash flow, building relationships, gaining experience, and improving efficiency with software. Rachel also stresses the importance of learning from each project, whether it's mastering a new software or getting better at identifying things to look for when preparing your next proposal. Sometimes the win is that you’ve made someone else’s day better by offering them a screaming deal on their project.
Saasant: https://www.saasant.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gentlefrogsbookkeepinglilypad
Get on my calendar: https://gentlefrog.com/meeting
Interested in group coaching? https://gentlefrog.com/group-coaching

Episode Twenty Seven - Navigating Client-Caused Complications in Bookkeeping Projects

In this episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad, Rachel Barnett talks about a bookkeeping dilemma: handling a client who messes up their financial records during the course of a cleanup, making it harder for the bookkeeper to finish the project because they’ve just created a bunch of extra work. Rachel gives an example where this happened (to someone else) and discusses possible ways to address this and other scope creep issues. 
 
Gentle Frog’s diagnostic review and clean up course: https://courses.gentlefrog.com/offers/AvrZAG8u/checkout
97 & Up — affiliate link & welcome offer: https://www.nerdenterprises.com/a/2147546802/DyoHDAZY
How we work and what to expect: https://www.gentlefrog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-Gentle-Frog-Welcome-and-What-to-Expect.pdf
My recent video on Rewind backup software: https://youtu.be/OjUpwlDaoHk?si=wcIu3NnNoG6XE_n1 (there are other videos on my YouTube channel)
My Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gentlefrogsbookkeepinglilypad
Wanna chat? Let’s grab Zoom coffee: https://gentlefrog.com/meeting

Episode Twenty Eight - I’m Considering Offering Group Coaching. Help Me Decide!

Hey there, it's Rachel from Gentle Frog! I'm super excited to share a little something I've been pondering – a group coaching program designed specifically for new bookkeepers.
Imagine a space where we tackle those first-client jitters together, with live support and a treasure trove of resources.
Curious? Click here to learn more let me know if you’re interested.
https://gentlefrog.com/group-coaching

Episode Twenty Six - Marketing Tips For Small Business with Jodi Snow

In this episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad, Rachel Barnett and Jody Snow dive into the challenges entrepreneurs face, regardless of their business's size. They share insights on creative, budget-friendly marketing strategies that work for people who want to attend in person events as well as for folks who are more inclined to market virtually.
1,000,000 cups: https://www.1millioncups.com/s/
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses: https://10ksbapply.com/
SCORE workshops: https://www.score.org/workshops-events
Texas Woman’s University, Center for Entrepreneurs: https://twu.edu/center-women-entrepreneurs/

Episode Twenty Five - I Was Wrong About Course Pricing

Join Rachel Barnett as she delves into the challenges and revelations of reevaluating her pricing model. This episode offers a candid look at the trial and error behind optimizing course offerings, the power of listening to one's audience, and the importance of being flexible in business strategy. A journey of discovery for bookkeepers and entrepreneurs alike.
“Before You Stop Posting On Instagram or Youtube... You NEED to Watch This.” by Vanessa Lau https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QyLTuw8d12I
12 week year: https://12weekyear.com/
Gentle Frog’s Courses: https://www.gentlefrog.com/qbo-courses/

Episode Twenty Four - What is a Niche?

In this episode, Rachel Barnett explores the concept of niches in the context of owning and operating a small bookkeeping business. She discusses the flexibility of niches, how they can be based on factors like geography or software preference, and the importance of working with clients you enjoy.
 
Why Kate Josephine Johnson niched in Freshbooks: https://www.freshbooks.com/blog/kate-josephine-johnson
Kate’s bookkeeping website: https://heritagebusinessservices.com/
Accounting Coach: https://www.accountingcoach.com/
Julie and Julia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julie_%26_Julia
Moroccan cookbook that I’ve used for years and love: Amazon Cookbook
Here is a 10 min YouTube interview that I found about niches and I really liked it, I found it after recording or I would have mentioned it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VgerS0pPxP8
Nerd Enterprises aka Seth David’s 97 and Up group (affiliate link): https://www.nerdenterprises.com/a/20214/DyoHDAZY