Gentle Frog’s Bookkeeping Lily Pad

Episode Twenty Three - Clarifying Your Subcontracting Journey: Expectations vs. Reality

In this episode Rachel talks about managing your expectations as a person who goes to work as a subcontractor for someone else. Specifically, thinking about what you’re hoping to get out of the experience of subcontracting. In her experience most subcontracting gigs are just to pass off overflow work and not to provide mentorship to others but those opportunities do exist. She talks about feedback she’s been given when she mentors others, this is shared so that the listener can perhaps use it to identify what they’re hoping to get out of a relationship with others.
Gentle Frog’s VIP offer: https://www.gentlefrog.com/vip-offer/
Fake check scam: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-report-fake-check-scams
Goodreads about The One Thing: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16256798-the-one-thing
QuickBooks Online Apps: https://apps.com/
‘Appy Hour: https://www.facebook.com/qbappyhour and https://www.theappyhour.com/
SCORE mentors: https://www.score.org/find-mentor
Facebook group for this podcast: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gentlefrogsbookkeepinglilypad
Our other podcast, Gentle Frog’s Bookkeeping Landing Pad: https://gentlefrogslandingpad.podbean.com/

Episode Twenty Two - Navigating Doubts and Seeking Experienced Guidance in Bookkeeping

In today's episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lilypad, Rachel Barnett dives into the parallels between learning Pilates and learning to be a bookkeeper for small businesses. She shares her personal experience of doubting her Pilates technique based on seeing others perform an exercise differently and applies this to the experience of seeing answers in online forums and how just because someone is confident, doesn’t make them right. 
Rachel encourages listeners to seek advice from those who've truly walked the path before, highlighting the value of authentic experience over mere opinion.
 
Facebook Community Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/gentlefrogsbookkeepinglilypad
Pilates machine: https://www.pilates.com/collections/pilates-reformers/
Seth David / Nerd’s Guide to the Galaxy:
https://www.nerdenterprises.com/a/2147522163/DyoHDAZY (affiliate link but it’s free)
Becky Frampton / Pachira Business Solutions: https://pachirabusinesssolutions.com/
Gentle Frog VIP offer: https://www.gentlefrog.com/vip-offer/
Varonica Wasek / 5 MB Academy course: https://courses.5mbacademy.com/courses/shopify-bookkeeping-method
Seth David / Nerd Enterprises courses: https://www.nerdenterprises.com/a/2147505668/DyoHDAZY (affiliate link)
Ron Baker and Ed Kless / The Soul of Enterprise Podcast: https://www.thesoulofenterprise.com/
Mark Wickersham / Value Pricing: https://www.wickersham.co.uk/
Ski Skirt Example: https://www.columbiasportswear.ca/en/c/women-bottoms-shortsskorts/?prefv1=Warmth&prefn1=productTechnology
My other podcast, Gentle Frog’s Landing Pad: https://gentlefrogslandingpad.podbean.com/

Episode Twenty One - Discussion: Anne Little & Rachel Barnett on Navigating Price Increases

In this episode, Anne Little and Rachel Barnett chat about how to handle price increases with clients. They talk about timing, minimums and the challenges of raising the price when you’re a new bookkeeper. 
The podcast is a bit of Anne interviewing Rachel but more it’s two friends talking about the challenges of raising the price and the legacy clients who get special treatment as a way of saying “thank you”.
Little Details Bookkeeping: https://littledetailsbookkeeping.com/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/gentlefrogsbookkeepinglilypad
Varonica Wasek: https://www.vmwasek.com/
Dawn Brolin: https://www.dawnbrolin.com/
Seth David’s 97 & Up Group: https://www.nerdenterprises.com/a/2147546802/DyoHDAZY (Affiliate link)

Episode Twenty - Assessing the Need for Time Tracking in Bookkeeping

In this episode of "Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad," Rachel Barnett delves into the subject of time tracking for bookkeepers. She opens up about her personal choice of not tracking time and explores the motivations behind bookkeepers opting to track their time, such as identifying wasted time, improving quote accuracy, and reevaluating pricing strategies. Rachel also discusses a range of time tracking tools available, including traditional options like Excel and more modern apps like Clockify and Timely, highlighting their ability to assist in monitoring different aspects of work, including client-related tasks and administrative duties. Throughout the episode, Rachel emphasizes the significance of making an individual decision regarding time tracking practices.
Timely - https://timelyapp.com/
Clockify - https://clockify.me/
Toggl - https://toggl.com/
QuickBooks Time - https://quickbooks.intuit.com/time-tracking/timesheets/
The Soul of Enterprise Podcast - https://www.thesoulofenterprise.com/
Seth David’s free group - https://www.nerdenterprises.com/a/2147522163/DyoHDAZY
 

Episode Nineteen - Exploring the Pros and Cons: Working for Yourself vs. Working for Others

In the podcast episode, Rachel Barnett provides a balanced view of the advantages and disadvantages of working for oneself versus working for someone else. She highlights that while working for someone else provides stability and a fixed income, working for oneself offers the freedom to choose working hours. However, being self-employed also requires putting in extra hours and dealing with the challenges of client acquisition. Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to consider various factors when deciding between self-employment and traditional employment.
https://pachirabusinesssolutions.com/bookkeeping-business-mentors/
https://www.nerdenterprises.com/a/20210/DyoHDAZY ←- Affiliate link to a bookkeeping crash course by my mentor, Seth David
https://gentlefrogslandingpad.podbean.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/gentlefrogsbookkeepinglilypad

Episode Eighteen - Echoes of Success: Exploring Sounding Boards

In this episode, Rachel Barnett discusses the significance of having a sounding board, such as mentors, coaches and self employed friends. She reflects on her personal journey, illustrating how engaging with others has been instrumental in the success of her bookkeeping business. Rachel strongly advocates for listeners to seek out their own sounding boards for guidance and growth in their professional endeavors. 
https://www.score.org/find-mentor
https://www.wendysloneker.com/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us
https://www.nerdenterprises.com/a/2147546802/DyoHDAZY ←— Affiliate link and a coupon
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1291878781599153
https://www.imprintequity.com/aboutquicksource/ (Seattle bookkeeping group)

Episode Seventeen - Tech Tips for the Tech-Shy with Nicole Lux-Ritchie

In this episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad, Rachel Barnett chats with Nicole Lux-Ritchie, a technology coach. Nicole shares her slogan "don't let your technology bully you," focusing on helping the tech-shy manage their digital tools. They discuss the importance of foundational tech like email and data storage, and navigating the tech world without feeling overwhelmed. The episode is a blend of practical tech advice and encouraging support for small business owners.
https://luxcentric.com/
https://calendly.com/
https://acuityscheduling.com/
https://workspace.google.com/
https://luxcentric.com/blog/game-choose-your-password-pattern/
https://luxcentric.com/blog/game-digital-security/
https://passwords.google.com/?pli=1

Episode Sixteen - Tips for Effective Bookkeeping Agreements

In this episode of " Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lilypad", a host Rachel Barnett talks about various things to include in the client engagement letter. The scope of work should describe what the bookkeeper is offering and what the client can expect. This episode was inspired by a post on the Facebook community group and includes Rachel's top five list is well as Suzette Flemming's top five list.
 
http://www.flemmingbusinessservices.com/
https://www.receptionhq.com/business-referral/ <-- if you like the idea of this, fill in my contact info.  :)
https://www.lburgon.com/

Episode Fifteen - From Candidate to Colleague: Tips for Hiring

In this podcast episode, Rachel guides listeners through a few tips for hiring and things to think about when narrowing down which candidate to invite to join the team. She shares insights on where to find potential candidates and offers strategies for assessing their expertise, especially in areas outside your own expertise. The discussion then shifts to compatibility between employer and candidate, touching on aspects like the candidate's capacity, your desired check-in frequency, and aligning with their long-term goals. Rachel also addresses the importance of matching teaching styles with the candidate's learning preferences and reminds people to offer a living wage. 

Episode Fourteen - SCORE Mentoring and Workshops

In this episode of the Gentle Frogs Bookkeeping Lily Pad podcast, Rachel Barnett explores her experiences with SCORE, an organization she's been involved with for over six years. The discussion covers a range of topics, from attending various workshops on marketing and financial concepts to teaching QuickBooks Online. Rachel reflects on how her involvement with SCORE has shaped her teaching style, emphasizing the importance of simplifying content for better audience understanding. She also delves into her business journey, highlighting the role of mentors at different stages and the supportive community within SCORE. This episode offers insights and practical advice for bookkeepers and small business owners. 
 
https://www.score.org/seattle/local-workshops
https://pachirabusinesssolutions.com/bookkeeping-business-mentors/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pam-hines-03973732/
https://www.ardeacoaching.com/
https://www.nerdenterprises.com/a/20214/DyoHDAZY
https://www.gentlefrog.com/vip-offer/