Ever stare at your bank statement and feel personally victimized by tax season? You’re not alone—but you could be more prepared. In this episode, Nata Salvatori brings on wedding photographer and tax educator Heather Leicy, who went from architecture student to creative CEO with a tax-savvy twist.

They talk about everything from saving for the slow season to how to talk to your CPA like a boss (yes, really). You’ll get the exact steps Heather took to transition careers without financial chaos, and the weekly tax prep ritual that actually makes April feel like a win.

What you’ll walk away with:

• How to make tax season a non-event
• The four CPA questions that could save you thousands
• Why putting 30% aside is the best self-care
• A pep talk if numbers make you want to run

Connect with Heather:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather.marie.leicy and https://www.instagram.com/theconquercommunity/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.marie.leicy
• Website: https://heathermlphoto.com/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathermariephotography

This episode is packed with mindset shifts and practical tools for any creative entrepreneur who’s tired of winging it with their money. Hit play, and let’s get your financial life together—without the tears.

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When Brittany Webb got laid off, it wasn’t the end. It was the spark. In this candid episode, licensed therapist and founder of Better Minds Counseling Services reveals how being unheard at work pushed her to build the practice she never had.

She walks us through the fears, freedom, and false starts of launching a virtual private practice while still employed. We talk real numbers (spoiler: it's cheaper to start than you think), real talk on hiring (spoiler: enthusiasm over resumes), and what leadership really looks like in mental health. Plus: how Brittany uses nature, cooking, and conscious decision-making to manage energy as a CEO.

Whether you’re navigating a toxic workplace, thinking about expanding your team, or just wondering if you can actually build a business that supports your life—this one's for you.

Follow Brittany for more!
👉 https://www.instagram.com/bettermindscounseling/ | https://www.bettermindscounseling-services.com/

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Jessica Bishop didn’t mean to start a business—she just wanted to get married without going broke. In this episode, she shares how her personal wedding blog turned into The Budget Savvy Bride, one of the most trusted wedding resources on the internet.

Jessica gets real about what it means to serve two totally different audiences (engaged couples and wedding vendors), why transparency around pricing is a game-changer, and how her small but mighty team built a fully custom vendor directory from scratch.

Whether you're a wedding professional, a fellow founder serving two client types, or just curious how someone builds a 16-year-old content business that’s still thriving—this one’s a goldmine.

Takeaways include:

• Why hiding pricing actually hurts your sales
• The truth about marketing costs for vendors
• How to scale with intention (and a tiny team)
• What it really takes to build trust in a saturated market

Resources + Links:

• thebudgetsavvybride.com
• Jessica’s book: The Budget Savvy Wedding Planner and Organizer
• Follow on Instagram: @budgetsavvybride
  
  

🎧 Listen now and learn how to grow a lean business with a big impact.

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What happens when a stay-at-home mom turns a babysitting gap into a thriving, multi-brand business? Beth Heyer is the founder and CEO of Babysitting Connection, a Texas-based service with over 300 vetted sitters and 700 monthly subscribers. She’s also the creator of Pet Sitting Connection and the nonprofit BC Gives Back—all while solo parenting and scaling her team across the state.

In this episode, Beth breaks down her path from burnout to business-building brilliance. You’ll hear how she pivoted during COVID, scaled using a low-barrier membership model, and why her team of Gen Z sitters taught her how to stop glorifying hustle. We also talk real talk about managing boundaries, expanding into new verticals, and why good systems—and good sitters—matter more than ever.

You’ll learn:

• How she scaled a local service to a statewide operation
• What Gen Z workers really need to stay loyal (hint: it’s not pizza parties)
• The secrets behind her $35/month recurring revenue model
• How to vet people when trust is the product
• Why her nonprofit helps foster parents and single moms find relief

Whether you’re thinking about a membership model, building a remote team, or just need some CEO realness from someone who’s been in the trenches—this episode is packed with gold.

Resources Mentioned:

• BabysittingConnection.com
• PetSittingConnection.com
• BCGivesBack.org
• BethHeyer.com

Connect with Beth!

✅ https://bethheyer.com/ | @babysittingconnection

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What if the thing keeping you stuck isn’t lack of time—but your inability to let go?

In this episode of the Accidental CEO podcast, I sit down with the brilliant (and very real) Tressa Beheim, founder of Simplify Now. She’s the strategic brain and online business manager behind countless creative entrepreneurs—helping them stop drowning in the daily chaos and finally run their business with clarity.

Tressa shares how she accidentally grew her agency from one client to a 12-person team, the hard truths about hiring help too late, and why micromanaging is a sneaky form of self-sabotage.

We dig into:

• The psychology of delegation and why it feels so hard to release control
• How to get the information out of your head (so people can actually help you)
• Real-world frameworks to prevent team chaos and decision fatigue
• Two powerful case studies of clients who went from “burned out” to breathing again

You’ll also hear Tressa’s take on why multitasking is a lie, how to stop “context switching” your way into exhaustion, and how to figure out what only you should be doing.

If you’re the creative CEO who’s still in the weeds, this is your episode. Let’s talk structure, support, and the mindset shifts that actually move the needle.

Connect with Tressa Beheim:

👉 https://www.instagram.com/tressabeheim/ | https://tressabeheim.com/

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Time management is not about squeezing more into your day — it’s about doing the right things at the right time.

In this episode, Nata Salvatori reveals her personal system for running multiple businesses without living in overwhelm. You’ll hear why delegation is the first step in her process, how she keeps track of every recurring task, and the exact method she uses to match her daily to-do list with her natural energy levels.

If you’ve ever forced yourself to push through a mentally heavy task when you were already running on fumes, you’ll love this episode. Nata explains why it’s more efficient to adapt your work to your current state — and how doing so can dramatically improve your productivity, efficiency, and mood.

You’ll learn:

• Why there’s no “perfect” time management method for everyone
• The task tracking system that reveals what to delegate
• How to use your body’s energy as a productivity tool
• The “do it now” rule that keeps your task list clear
• Why curiosity leads to better workflow solutions

Links & Resources:

• Signs It’s Time to Hire a VA checklist: https://accidentalceo.co/va-freebie
• Instagram: https://accidentalceo.co/podcast

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In a world that’s constantly online, are we losing what it means to truly connect? 

This week, Nata sits down with Sam and Elliot Archuleta, hosts of Something More Human and creators of the Return to Real Life event series—a growing movement that invites people to put down their phones and rediscover authentic human interaction.

In this conversation, we cover:

• Why phone-free spaces create the best conversations
• How to build meaningful friendships as an adult—even in a new city
• The real reason authenticity is non-negotiable for strong relationships
• How to curate your inner circle for growth and support

If you’ve been craving more depth and less distraction in your life, this episode will give you the mindset shifts and practical steps to make it happen.

Links and Resources:

• Something More Human
• Follow Sam & Elliot on Instagram: @somethingmorehuman

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How do you go from burnout in a corporate healthcare job to becoming an in-demand visibility marketing coach? Today’s guest, Michelle Kuei, shares the bold story of how a life-changing trip to Machu Picchu set her on a new path—and how she turned that journey into a thriving coaching business.

In this episode, we unpack:
 ✔ How Michelle used storytelling to build trust and attract clients
 ✔ Why personality is the foundation of personal branding
 ✔ Practical steps for increasing visibility and growing your business

If you’ve ever wondered how to get seen, heard, and hired without feeling fake or salesy, this episode is packed with actionable strategies you can implement today.

Resources Mentioned:

• Visit Michelle at Elevate Life Coaching
• Learn about ICF Certification

Ready to stop hiding and start leading? Hit play now.

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If you’ve ever sat on a train, in your office, or even in the shower and thought, Is this it?—you’re not alone. Today’s guest, Lisann Valentin, knows what it’s like to hit that wall. She went from Wall Street lawyer to actress on shows like Manifest and The Blacklist, and then pivoted again to become a certified spiritual coach.

In this raw and empowering conversation, Lisann and Nata dig into what it really takes to reinvent yourself at any age. Spoiler alert: it’s not about burning everything down—it’s about listening to that inner nudge (or scream!) and learning to trust your intuition.

You’ll hear how Lisann used journaling and meditation to navigate career pivots, why merging all your passions is not only possible but powerful, and how to overcome the fear of starting over—especially when the world thinks you’ve “made it.”

Takeaways:

• A midlife “crisis” can actually be your soul calling you forward
• Why intuition is a business strategy, not woo-woo nonsense
• How to take imperfect but intentional steps toward reinvention
• What to do when your biggest critic is YOU

Ready to stop white-knuckling life and start living it fully? Press play and prepare to see your next chapter in a whole new light.

Get to know more about Lisann Valentin here:
📲 LGValentin.com | @LisannValentin

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Aria Leighty is not here to play nice—and that’s exactly why you’ll love her.

In this episode, we’re breaking the “visibility means more social posts” myth wide open. Aria, founder of Show The F*ck Up Media, shares what it really takes to build a brand that people actually care about. Spoiler: it starts with showing up as yourself and building real relationships—not collecting business cards or cold DMing strangers.

We talk about what makes a networking event not suck, why she created The Plug newsletter for women of color and queer folks, and how diversifying your visibility strategy is the key to avoiding burnout.

If you’re over performative networking and cookie-cutter strategies, this episode is your permission slip to do things differently—and better.

Takeaways:

• The power of intentional, inclusive visibility
• How to host events that feel like belonging—not business
• Where to find aligned networking opps without scrolling endlessly

Resources:

• Follow Aria: https://www.arialeighty.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/arialeighty/

Let’s make showing up feel good again.

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