Gentle Frog’s Bookkeeping Lily Pad

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/

Episode Thirteen - Digging Deeper: What’s Your Definition of a Good Client?

In this "Gentle Frogs, Bookkeeping Lilypad" podcast episode, Rachel Barnett chats about how bookkeepers can spot great clients. She gets real, saying there's no magic list for finding the right client - it's kind of like figuring out who makes a good friend. Rachel digs into the personal side of it: What does a 'good client' really mean to you? Is it about the business size, the vibe you get, or the specific stuff they need done? She shares her own take - she's all about clients who dive into learning QuickBooks. Her teammate, Meghan,  loves clients who just hand over all their bookkeeping tasks. Rachel also tosses in some tips on getting noticed. She's big on having a website and using Google My Business. Her key message? Be clear about what you're looking for in a client. Don't just blend in with the crowd. 
 
https://support.google.com/business/answer/9157481
https://www.facebook.com/groups/gentlefrogsbookkeepinglilypad
https://www.gentlefrog.com/services/

Episode Twelve - Year-End Review: Crafting a Vision for Your Bookkeeping Future

In this "Gentle Frogs Bookkeeping Lily Pad" episode, the focus is on goal planning and year-end review. The discussion revolves around the importance of reflecting on the past year, recognizing successes, and identifying areas for improvement. The episode touches on experiences with course creation and YouTube content, highlighting the importance of setting achievable goals. Emphasis is placed on SMART goals - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, illustrated through personal examples. The conversation also delves into the value of creativity, self-reflection, and openness to new opportunities. Topics include creating more content, adhering to personal and professional boundaries, and appreciating team efforts. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their 2023 achievements and set 2024 goals, with suggestions like participating in online groups or masterminds to alleviate isolation. The podcast concludes with an invitation to the Facebook group, reinforcing a commitment to community support and helping others grow.
 
https://mariettemartinez.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/gentlefrogsbookkeepinglilypad
https://gentlefrog.com/about

Episode Eleven - Introducing Gentle Frog’s Landing Pad: Diverse Voices of Everyday Bookkeepers

In this podcast episode, Rachel Barnett introduces her new podcast 'Gentle Frogs Landing Pad,' where she interviews everyday bookkeepers, both veterans and newcomers. The show aims to share real-life stories and experiences from the bookkeeping industry, discussing their starts, likes, dislikes, and genuine conversations about the profession. This new podcast differs from her existing 'Gentle Frogs Bookkeeping Lilypad, which is more focused on the challenges faced by bookkeeping business owners. The episode features clips from the first three episodes, which include interviews with Christy Decker, Terri Bork, and Linda Shuler.
 
You can find our upcoming guests here: 
Christy Decker / Bay Point Bookkeeping / https://baypointbookkeeping.com/
Linda Shuler / Shuler’s Bookkeeping / https://www.linkedin.com/in/shulersbookkeeping/
Terri Bork / Abacus Gal / https://www.abacusgal.com/

Episode Ten - A Weekend of Bookkeeping Insights in Syracuse, NY

Join me, Rachel Barnett, as we dive into the special weekend we had with fellow bookkeepers in Syracuse, New York. In this episode, "Together in Numbers: A Bookkeepers' Weekend in Syracuse," we share the warmth and wisdom from our informal get-together. It was a time for open chats about everything bookkeeping - from tricky sales tax questions to creating better engagement letters. More than just a meet-up, it was about building friendships and learning from each other's experiences. Listen in for stories and insights from this cozy retreat, showing the real power of coming together in the world of numbers and books.
 
Links To Check Out: 
- Wendy Sloneker - https://www.selftalkwordsearch.com/ & https://www.wendysloneker.com/
- Kaela Beach - https://www.helloearlybird.com/
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Syracuse/Liverpool
 
Be sure to join us over on the Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad's Facebook Group