200 ⎸ What I Learned in 2024 & Q1 of 2025

The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast

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It’s the 200th episode of The Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast and Serena pulls back the curtain on her bookkeeping firm's 2024 performance, sharing both the wins and challenges. She gets real about client churn, revenue growth, personal struggles with mold toxicity, and the hard lessons learned about communicating with clients who aren't taking crucial financial advice.

In this episode you’ll hear:

• Client management reality check - How one client's bankruptcy and fraud issues led to major communication style changes
• Personal health struggles - Living in toxic mold for 2 years and how it affected business decisions and energy levels
• 2025 strategy shifts - Moving away from high-ticket CFO services toward team-handled base packages for better work-life balance

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 175 | Threads: Is it Worth it? https://youtu.be/Ola7HlpRy2U
• Elevate: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/elevate
• Elevate Mastermind (only for program graduates)
• Dubsado Decoded (with Kendra Courtney): https://kendracourtney.com/dubsado-decoded/
• AI Unlocked Summit registration: https://ambitiousbookkeeper--gemmabonhamcarter.thrivecart.com/ai-unlocked/619bde31ff59d/
• Bookkeeping Biz Workshops (launching August 2025)
• Xero, QBO, Hubdoc, ChatGPT, Asana, Airtable, TaxJar, A2X, Dubsado
• Business by Design (James Wedmore's program): https://www.jameswedmoretraining.com/
• Xero Con, Podcasting Moms Conference, BBD Live, Wave Seattle
• Prescott Area Young Professionals

Thanks for listening. If this episode inspired you in some way, take a screenshot of you listening on your device and post it to your Instagram stories and tag me @ambitiousbookkeeper

For more information about the Ambitious Bookkeeper Podcast or interest in our programs or mentoring visit our resources below:

• Visit our website: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com
• Follow the Blog: https://www.ambitiousbookkeeper.com/blog
• Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@ambitiousbookkeeper
• Connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/serenashoupcpa

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Podcast Publishing Tools we use:

• Editing → Sabr Media LLC: https://www.iangilliam.com/sabr-media-llc
• Descript: https://get.descript.com/u7lubkx09073 (affiliate link)
• Buzzsprout:

To fill out The State of Virtual Bookkeeping Survey, click HERE.

For each response, I'll be donating $1 to charity: water. Learn more here.

Join the next free training at ambitiousbookkeeper.com/training

Chapters

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Client Stories and Business Decisions (00:06:03)

3. Financial Analysis and Client Management (00:08:04)

4. Fraud Detection and Client Bankruptcy (00:10:06)

5. Improving Communication and Client Rescue (00:18:13)

6. Client Engagement and Policy Changes (00:20:47)

7. Revenue Growth and Cost Analysis (00:24:43)

8. Reflecting on Team Building and Expenses (00:29:48)

9. Operating Software and Client Software Savings (00:30:50)

10. Networking and Memberships in 2024 (00:32:04)

11. Personal Challenges and Mold Toxicity (00:34:58)

12. Looking Ahead: Plans for 2025 (00:41:32)

13. Upcoming Events and Mastermind Launches (00:47:46)

14. Final Thoughts and Gratitude (00:52:20)