In this episode, host Emma Bowdler, Founder of The Women’s Accountant, debunks the romanticised view of business ownership often portrayed by business gurus and motivational speakers. They share several harsh realities that new business owners face, such as tax bill shock, working with undesirable clients, making poor hires, investing in irrelevant systems, and working harder for less money initially. The speaker emphasises that these challenges are part of the learning process and provide valuable lessons that employees would miss. The goal is to prepare and inform potential and current business owners about the unglamorous aspects of running a business while fostering a community for shared experiences and support.
00:00 The Harsh Reality of Business Ownership
01:50 Tax Bill Shock: The Unseen Burden
03:38 Dealing with Difficult Clients
05:43 Hiring Mistakes: Lessons Learned
07:02 Investing in the Wrong Resources
08:20 The Hard Work and Low Pay Paradox
10:42 Learning from Mistakes: The Silver Lining
In this episode, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, challenges the traditional professional services culture that equates long hours and physical presence with professional value. Through personal anecdotes and alarming industry statistics on burnout, the host argues that this mentality is driving talented individuals away from professions like law, accounting, and allied health. Advocating for a balanced work-life approach, the host shares insights on setting boundaries, choosing energising clients, and redefining success. The episode calls for a shift in mindset to prioritise sustainable success without sacrificing personal well-being.
00:00 Introduction and Personal Story
01:12 The Toxic Culture of Professional Services
03:51 The Impact on Future Professionals
05:12 Choosing a Different Path
05:29 The Glorified Job Trap
07:35 Working Differently
09:27 What Needs to Change
In this episode of 'The Business BFF,' host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, discusses the harsh reality businesses face in the current challenging landscape. She shares actionable insights and strategies for businesses in crisis, emphasising the importance of brutal honesty, stopping financial bleeding, engaging with creditors early, eliminating problematic clients, and investing in professional help. Emma also emphasises the importance of maintaining marketing efforts, building financial reserves, and knowing when to close a business strategically. Tune in for practical advice on navigating through tough times and ensuring business continuity.
00:00 Introduction: The Brutal Business Landscape
01:01 Key Differences Between Survivors and Failures
01:42 Welcome to the Business BFF Podcast
02:17 Step 1: Brutal Honesty
04:09 Step 2: Stop the Bleeding
05:40 Step 3: Addressing Tax Obligations
06:29 Step 4: Letting Go of Problem Clients
06:58 Step 5: Seeking Professional Help
08:09 Step 6: Focusing on Revenue Recovery
09:08 Step 7: Building Financial Buffers
10:20 When Business Isn't Viable
In this episode, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, discusses the often-overlooked benefits of running a business as a mother. She challenges the societal notion that working mums might be negatively impacting their children. Instead, she argues that children are gaining invaluable lessons through witnessing their mothers handle real responsibilities, solve problems, and exhibit strong work ethics. These kids are learning critical life skills, including accountability, problem-solving, confidence, financial literacy, and setting boundaries. The episode emphasises that entrepreneurship teaches children resilience and that mothers can successfully balance a thriving business with being present and loving. The host invites listeners to share their own experiences on Instagram.
00:00 Introduction: The Guilt of Working Mums
01:40 Teaching Accountability Through Business
03:27 Instilling a Strong Work Ethic
05:35 Problem-Solving Skills in Action
07:42 Building Confidence and Leadership
09:14 Fostering Entrepreneurial Thinking
11:10 Prioritising Family Over Work
12:48 Conclusion: Raising the Next Generation
In this special episode of the Business BFF Podcast, host Emma Bowdler pulls back the curtains to introduce Emily, the practice manager and operations ninja at The Women's Accountant. Emily shares her journey into accounting and business operations, her role within the firm, and the systemsshe has implemented to keep things running smoothly. The discussion also dives into the dynamics of their working relationship, the human side of business, and what makes their practice unique. Tune in to learn about Emily’s role inmaintaining structure, the importance of having processes in place, and their plans for the future. Join us for an open and honest conversation on achieving success in the world of women-led businesses.
00:00 Introduction to the Business BFF Podcast
01:51 Meet Emily: The Operations Ninja
02:42 Emily's Journey into Accounting
04:54 Joining the Women's Accountant
08:27 A Day in the Life at the Women's Accountant
10:15 The Importance of Systems and Processes
16:21 Balancing Work and Personal Life
20:37 Celebrating Milestones and Looking Ahead
28:43 Advice for Aspiring Leaders
30:41 Conclusion and Farewell
In this episode of the Business BFF podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, tackles the harsh reality that often the biggest obstacle in a woman's business success is herself. Emma discusses five common self-sabotaging behaviours—winging it without a plan, letting fear take control, chasing someone else's version of success, trying to do everything alone, and avoiding financial numbers. Providing real-life examples and actionable steps, Emma empowers listeners to recognise and address thesehabits to build fulfilling and profitable businesses. Grab a coffee, get cozy, and join the conversation about building a business that truly works for you.
00:00 Introduction: The Real Reason Your Business Feels Stuck
01:00 Welcome to Business BFF: Meet Your Host Emma Bowdler
01:35 Self-Sabotage #1: Winging It Without a Plan
04:37 Self-Sabotage #2: Letting Fear Run the Show
07:24 Self-Sabotage #3: Chasing Someone Else's Version of Success
09:53 Self-Sabotage #4: Doing It All By Yourself
12:48 Self-Sabotage #5: Avoiding Your Numbers
15:36 Conclusion: Taking the Next Right Step
In this episode of the Business BFF podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, discusses a common but sneaky issue faced by many growth-minded business owners: growing broke. Despite increasing sales, client lists, and team sizes, many business owners find themselves struggling with profits. Emma identifies four primary reasons for this phenomenon: outdated pricing, absorbing rising costs without adjusting prices, forgotten subscriptions, and reinvestment without clear ROI. She offerspractical tips for sustainable growth, including rebuilding pricing structures, conducting regular money audits, understanding cash conversion cycles, and updating service packages. The episode emphasises the importance of maintaining strong profit margins and operational clarity to achieve stable and meaningful business growth.
00:00 Introduction to Growing Broke
01:35 Defining Growing Broke
03:08 Common Reasons for Growing Broke
09:59 Conscious Scaling: The Solution
13:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In this episode of Business BFF, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, shares a practical step-by-step framework to reset your business at the start of the new financial year in July. Emma discusses the importance of a year-end review to identify what worked and what didn't, the significance of revisiting and realigning your goals, the necessity of simplifying and streamlining processes, the need for resetting habits and structuring time effectively, and the critical role of accountability in ensuring progress. These strategies are designed to help business owners stay focused on their goals, enhance client relationships, and create a business that supports their desired lifestyle. This episode is packed with actionable advice to help you refresh your business and set it up for success in the months ahead.
00:00 Introduction: Resetting Your Business for Success
00:41 Welcome to the Business BFF Podcast
01:17 Realigning and Resetting for the New Financial Year
01:45 Year in Review: Analysing Past Performance
04:34 Revisiting and Realigning Your Goals
09:17 Simplifying and Streamlining Your Business
12:51 Resetting Habits and Structuring Time for Growth
15:23 The Importance of Accountability
17:40 Conclusion: Taking Charge of Your Business
In this episode of the Business BFF podcast, hosted by Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, we dive into understanding and overcoming the role of a bottleneck in your business. Emma shares personal insights and practical tips to help you identify if you are the one holding your business back. You'll learn about common signs of being a bottleneck, including a lack of delegation, perfectionism, and micromanaging. Emma provides actionable steps, like conducting a role audit, empowering your team, and creating efficient systems, to help you step back from daily operations and focus on strategic growth. Tune in for honest advice and real talk to help your business flourish.
00:00 Introduction: Are You the Bottleneck?
00:59 Welcome to Business BFF
01:35 Understanding the Bottleneck
02:47 Signs You're the Bottleneck
05:57 Overcoming Fear and Letting Go
06:55 Practical Steps to Delegate and Empower
10:19 Benefits of Not Being the Bottleneck
11:36 Conclusion: Lead, Don't Control
12:54 Final Thoughts and Farewell
In this episode of The Business BFF podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, demystifies the often overwhelming tax lodgements that business owners must handle. Emma covers the key lodgement types, including income tax returns, business activity statements (BAS), instalment activity statements (IAS), super guarantee contributions (SGC), fringe benefits tax (FBT), single touch payroll (STP), and tax file number declarations. She provides detailed timelines for each, shares tips for those who are behind on their lodgements, and stresses the importance of staying on top of tax obligations to alleviate stress. Emma also introduces a downloadable tax lodgement calendar to help listeners stay organised. This episode is a mix of practical advice and motivational support designed to help business owners navigate tax time smoothly. Don't miss the chance to get empowered and informed about your business taxes!
00:00 Introduction to Tax Time
00:38 Welcome to the Business BFF Podcast
01:13 Understanding Income Tax Returns
02:39 Business Activity Statements (BAS) Explained
03:56 Instalment Activity Statements (IAS) Overview
05:21 Super Guarantee Contributions (SGC)
06:39 Special Lodgements: Fringe Benefits Tax and More
09:29 Catching Up on Overdue Lodgements
12:23 Staying on Track with Tax Obligations
14:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In this episode of 'The Business BFF' podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder of the Women's Accountant, recounts a pivotal moment in December 2009 when everything changed. As a single mum juggling a busy life, she decided to leave her job after her boss denied her a day off without pay to care for her daughters. This life-altering choice led her to start her accountancy practice in January 2010. She shares the valuable lessons she's learned on her journey to financial independence, the importance of setting boundaries, and tips on how you can take control of your financial future. Don't miss this empowering story of resilience, determination, and success.
00:00 Life-Changing Moment in 2009
01:56 Starting a New Journey
02:59 The Importance of Financial Independence
04:45 Setting Boundaries in Business
07:35 Overcoming Challenges and Growing
11:40 Steps to Take Control of Your Financial Future
13:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
In this episode of 'The Business BFF' podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder of the Women's Accountant, demystifies tax planning for business owners. Emma explains that proactive tax planning is not just about compliance, but a strategic tool to save money, grow your business, and reduce stress during tax season. She breaks down essential tax strategies, such as maximising deductions, prepaying expenses, managing invoices, and leveraging superannuation contributions. Emma also busts the myth that paying taxes is bad, emphasising that it signifies business profitability and growth. The episode is packed with practical tips and strategies to help you plan, avoid tax surprises, and optimise your financial health. So grab your favourite beverage, get comfy, and tune in for an informative chat that promises to make tax time less daunting and more manageable.
00:00 Introduction: Why Tax Planning Matters
00:47 Welcome to Business BFF
01:23 Understanding Tax Planning
02:22 The Importance of Paying Taxes
04:11 Common Tax Strategies
07:21 Superannuation Tips
10:44 Managing Debtors and Stock
13:11 Final Thoughts and Advice
16:04 Conclusion and Next Steps
In this episode of The Business BFF, host Emma Bowdler (founder of The Women’s Accountant) dives deep into the four most important numbers that every business owner should track. These aren't your typical revenue and profit figures. Discover the metrics that truly matter for business growth, including retention rates, conversion rates, average sale value, and sales per customer. Learn how to leverage these key numbers to increase revenue, improve profitability, and build a more sustainable and successful business.
Key Takeaways:
Timings:
00:00 Introduction
01:14 Retention Rates
05:57 Conversion Rates
09:59 Average Sale Value
12:13 Sales Per Customer
15:00 Conclusion
In this episode of The Business BFF, host Emma Bowdler (founder of The Women’s Accountant) dives deep into the importance of systems and processes for your business. This episode explores how implementing robust systems can significantly impact your business's success. We discuss how systems can:
Key Takeaways:
Timings:
00:00 Introduction
01:26 Consistency leads to better results
03:18 Easier to train or replace staff
06:36 Good systems save time
08:23 Makes the business more saleable
09:37 Reduce stress and improve work-life balance
11:41 Systems and processes need regular checkups
14:11 Tools to help you get started
16:58 Conclusion
In this episode of The Business BFF podcast, host Emma Bowdler (founder of The Women’s Accountant) explains why your profit and loss statement might not match your bank account. We explore common reasons for this discrepancy, including accrual accounting, the exclusion of GST and loan repayments, the impact of drawings and dividends, and the treatment of asset purchases. Emma breaks down these concepts in an easy-to-understand way, helping you gain a clearer picture of your business's financial health.
Key Takeaways:
Timings:
00:00 Introduction
01:21 Accrual Accounting
03:45 GST and Tax Exclusions
05:02 Loan Repayments
06:36 Drawings and Dividends
08:08 Asset Purchases
09:53 Conclusion
This podcast episode from The Business BFF, with Emma Bowdler (founder of The Women’s Accountant) focuses on handling challenging clients. Host Emma Bowdler emphasises the importance of setting clear boundaries and recognising when to end client relationships that are no longer serving your business.
The episode provides practical advice on breaking up with clients professionally, including sample scripts and tips for attracting ideal clients. By implementing these strategies, business owners can create a more positive and profitable client experience.
Key Takeaways:
Timings:
00:00 Introduction
01:22 Set your standards and boundaries
03:29 Recognising it’s time to break up
06:06 How to break up professionally
08:24 Meeting the right clients
09:12 Audit your messaging
10:52 Raise your standards
13:30 Benefits of breaking up
15:23 Conclusion
In this episode of The Business BFF podcast, host Emma Bowdler (founder of the Women's Accountant), explores setting powerful goals for 2025. Emma guides listeners through the process of defining their ideal business and lifestyle, identifying key gaps, and stepping into the CEO role.
Key Takeaways:
Timings:
00:00 Introduction
01:15 Define Your Ideal Day & Life
03:45 Identify & Address Gaps
05:36 Embrace the CEO Role
09:02 Develop Powerful Habits
11:42 Embrace Discomfort
14:26 Success is Not a Solo Journey
15:31 Own Your Own Values
17:20 Conclusion
In this episode of The Business BFF Podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, explores how to reignite your passion for your business or recognise when it's time to move on.
Key Takeaways
Rediscover Your "Why": Reflect on your initial motivations for starting your business. Reconnecting with your original purpose can reignite your enthusiasm.
Set New Goals: Establish ambitious, achievable goals that align with your professional and personal aspirations. This could involve launching new products, expanding into new markets, or simply reducing your workload.
Streamline Operations: Automate tasks and delegate responsibilities to free up time and reduce stress. Identify and outsource non-essential activities so you can focus on what you enjoy most.
Celebrate Your Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, both big and small. This could involve creating a wins board or sharing your successes with a supportive network.
Professional Development: Invest in your professional development. It doesn’t have to be formal or expensive but focus on something to reignite your passion for your business.
Consider Exiting Strategically: Recognise that exiting your business is not a failure but a potential opportunity. If you feel burnt out or misaligned, explore strategic exit options, such as selling your business or transitioning your role.
Timings:
00:00 Introduction
00:58 Rediscover Your "Why"
02:06 Set New Goals
03:08 Streamline Operations
05:13 Celebrate Your Wins
07:29 Professional Development
08:19 Consider Exiting Strategically
13:25 Conclusion
In this episode of The Business BFF podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder of The Women's Accountant, discusses the pitfalls of pricing based on self-worth and the benefits of value-based pricing. Emma shares her insights on why 'charge your worth' is a toxic concept that keeps women in business small, explaining how emotions can lead to inconsistent pricing. She introduces value-based pricing and provides actionable strategies to help women entrepreneurs price their services based on the results and transformations they deliver. Tune in for tips on overcoming imposter syndrome, avoiding comparison pitfalls, and shifting your pricing mindset to reflect true client outcomes.
Show Notes
00:00 Welcome to The Business BFF Podcast
00:35 The Problem with 'Charge Your Worth'
01:27 The Dangers of Pricing Based on Self-Worth
02:52 Real-Life Examples of Pricing Pitfalls
07:43 Understanding the Root Causes
09:44 Reframing Your Pricing Mindset
10:41 Practical Strategies for Value-Based Pricing
14:12 Final Thoughts and Staying Connected
In episode two of The Business BFF podcast, host Emma Bowdler, founder ofThe Women's Accountant, discusses the importance of establishing business boundaries and non-negotiables to protect your time, energy, and mental health. Emma shares personal anecdotes and practical steps for defining and maintaining these boundaries, identifies warning signs of slipping boundaries, and emphasizes the significance of communication in setting and upholding these limits. The episode encourages business women to reclaim their balance and freedom, providing actionable advice to achieve the work-life harmony they originally set out for.
Show Notes
00:00 Welcome to the Business BFF Podcast
00:40 The Reality of Running Your Own Business
01:02 Understanding Business Boundaries and Non-Negotiables
03:48 Identifying Your Non-Negotiables
08:30 Warning Signs Your Boundaries Are Slipping
10:38 Reestablishing and Communicating Boundaries
13:54 Conclusion and Resources