Gentle Frog’s Bookkeeping Lily Pad

Episode Eight - The Distinctive Bookkeeper - Creating Your Brand

Join Rachel Barnett in this insightful episode of Gentle Frog’s Bookkeeping Lily Pad, where she delves into the art of standing out in the bookkeeping world. Rachel discusses how bookkeepers can differentiate themselves, not just through niches but through unique service offerings and personal touches. She shares experiences with fellow bookkeepers like Terri Bork, Christy Decker and Amanda Root, highlighting how they cater to specific industries and personalize their services. Rachel encourages listeners to find their unique voice in the industry, whether it’s through specialized services, client engagement, or certifications. This episode is a must-listen for bookkeepers seeking to create a distinctive and memorable presence in their field. Keep an ear out for the upcoming interviews with Terri and Christy, soon to be released!
 
https://www.abacusgal.com/
https://baypointbookkeeping.com/
https://rootsystembookkeeping.com/

Episode Seven - Finding What’s Right for You in Business and Life with Guest Wendy Sloneker

In this insightful episode of Gentle Frog’s Bookkeeping Lily Pad, host Rachel Barnett and guest Wendy Sloneker engage in a conversation about the personal and professional journeys of small business owners and freelancers. Wendy, a grief and emergence coach, shares her perspectives on how to navigate the complex emotions and decisions that come with running a business and facing personal challenges.
Key Points Discussed:
Finding Personal Resonance: Wendy emphasizes the importance of asking oneself, "What would be right for me?" This question guides the entire discussion, exploring how individuals can make decisions that resonate with their personal and professional goals.
The Journey of Podcasting: Rachel reflects on her experiences with podcasting, discussing the challenges and learnings from her previous and current podcast ventures.
Grief and Business Ownership: Wendy talks about the intersection of grief coaching and business, especially relevant in December, a month often marked by emotional highs and lows.
The Concept of Emergence: Wendy introduces the idea of 'emergence coaching', focusing on helping people navigate through grief, loss, and major life changes.
Engaging with Future Self: A unique approach discussed is engaging with one's future self to gain insights and guidance on current challenges and decisions.
Avoiding Comparison Traps: The conversation delves into the pitfalls of comparing oneself to others, especially in the context of social media and professional growth.
Listening to Your Body: Wendy advises on the importance of tuning into one's physical and emotional responses as a guide for decision-making.
Final Thoughts:
Rachel and Wendy wrap up the episode with a discussion on the importance of acknowledging one's progress and the journey of personal development that comes with entrepreneurship. Wendy also shares information about her collaborative project related to seasonal changes and personal growth.
 
https://the-juicy-good-life.mykajabi.com/solstice-shift-live-event
https://linktr.ee/wendy.sloneker

Episode Six - Productivity Amplified - Utilizing a Virtual Assistant

In this episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad, Rachel Barnett explores the myriad of tasks that a virtual assistant can handle, ranging from software research to content creation, thus enabling business owners like Rachel to concentrate on their core competencies. Delving into her personal journey with her virtual assistant, Jess, Rachel shares invaluable insights on how outsourcing distractions and tasks can significantly enhance productivity and focus. Rachel's candid and engaging narrative illuminates the varied and essential services virtual assistants offer, showcasing how they can be pivotal in scaling and streamlining small businesses. Dive in and discover how a virtual assistant can be your secret weapon in growing and organizing your business.
Key Topics:
Outsourcing Distractions and Maximizing Efficiency
Practical Examples: Software Setup and Content Creation
The Importance of an Outside Perspective in Business
Flexible Engagement Models for Virtual Assistants
Rachel's Experience with Her Virtual Assistant, Jess
Links:
https://gentlefrog.com/about
https://www.facebook.com/groups/gentlefrogsbookkeepinglilypad/

Episode Five - Reflections on Boundaries: Time, Respect, and Clear Communication

Today's episode of 'Gentle Frogs Bookkeeping Lilypad' delves into the crucial topic of boundaries, focusing on self-reflection and personal values. The discussion centers around the importance of time and respect, two key boundaries that significantly impact our professional and personal lives. We explore effective strategies for communicating these boundaries to clients, ensuring a harmonious and respectful working relationship. This episode is not just about managing business interactions; it's a deeper look at how setting clear boundaries can lead to a healthier work-life balance and more meaningful client engagements. If you're looking to understand and implement boundaries in your work life, this insightful conversation is for you.
 
https://luxcentric.com/
https://www.gentlefrog.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/2023-Gentle-Frog-Welcome-and-What-to-Expect.pdf
https://www.sarrigilman.com/
 
 

Episode Four - Saying ’Yes’ and Helping Newcomers

In this episode of Gentle Frog's Bookkeeping Lily Pad, Rachel Barnett discusses the importance of seizing opportunities and the challenges of balancing a bookkeeping business. Rachel shares her journey from being overwhelmed by commitments to learning the art of saying 'no' and strategically choosing projects. She emphasizes the value of teamwork and mentoring in the bookkeeping field, detailing her experience with various projects from the week. Rachel highlights her commitment to helping others, whether it's lifting up new bookkeepers or volunteering with SCORE to teach QuickBooks Online. She also touches on ethical considerations in outsourcing work and the importance of honesty with clients. Throughout the episode, Rachel's passion for bookkeeping and empowering others in the field shines through, offering insights and inspiration for fellow bookkeepers and small business owners.
Links:
https://www.nerdenterprises.com/a/20214/DyoHDAZY ←- 97 & Up affiliate link
https://www.score.org/seattle/local-workshops ←- Seattle SCORE workshops available via Zoom

Episode Three - Lessons Learned While Marketing Bookkeeping Services

In this episode of "Gentle Frogs Bookkeeping Lily Pad," host Rachel Barnett shares her journey as a small bookkeeping business owner. Rachel discusses various marketing strategies she experimented with, including sending postcards, generating curated lists, and participating in community events. She reflects on the lessons learned from these experiences, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and personal connection in marketing efforts.
Additionally, Rachel talks about her approach to content creation, like her "How do I" blogs and YouTube videos, and the significance of being a QuickBooks Online pro advisor. She shares insights on networking, both within the bookkeeping community and with software vendors, highlighting the value of building relationships for referrals. Throughout the podcast, Rachel's narrative is filled with themes of appreciation, gratitude, and the continuous learning that comes with running a small business. Her story is a blend of practical advice, personal anecdotes, and encouragement for fellow bookkeepers navigating similar paths.
Links:
https://yoursalesmaven.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/17-Buying-Signals-from-Sales-Maven-Nikki-Rausch.pdf
https://kcls.org/resources-types/databases/
https://www.gentlefrog.com/qbo-courses/
https://www.youtube.com/c/gentlefrog
https://www.nerdenterprises.com/advanced-video-editing-with-camtasia
https://www.linkedin.com/in/snezana-markoc-908124170/

Episode Two - Networking, Community and Individuality in Bookkeeping

In this episode, Rachel shares insights on self-marketing for bookkeepers, drawing from her journey since 2012. She discusses her initial marketing strategies, including Craigslist ads and leveraging client referrals. Rachel reflects on her experiences with networking, emphasizing the value of small, supportive groups and the impact of joining a Seattle-based bookkeepers meetup.
She provides tips for introverted professionals, such as using branded clothing at events. The episode concludes with Rachel encouraging feedback and suggesting future topics, setting the stage for the next episode focusing on practical marketing tips and her personal journey.
Links:
https://www.imprintequity.com/aboutquicksource/
https://thegsba.org/

Episode One - Pre-screening, Hiring & Creating Community

In this episode, Rachel shares her unique insight in the bookkeeping world and the driving force behind starting this podcast. Rachel also shares a behind the scenes look into what her process is like when pre-screening a potential hiring candidate and how giving meaningful contributions to your network is essential in building a supportive community.

Welcome to Gentle Frog’s Lily Pad

Welcome to Gentle Frog’s Bookkeeping Lily Pad. We’ll dive into what it is like to run a bookkeeping business with realistic expectations and genuine encouragement with the host Rachel Barnett of Gentle Frog. You’ll find an open, welcoming community in this cozy little corner of the internet.
 
To learn more about Rachel and Gentle Frog, check out: gentlefrog.com