In this deeply personal and moving episode of The Bookkeepers’ Podcast, Jo Wood sits down with her business partner, colleague, and friend, Zoe Whitman, to explore the story behind Zoe’s fierce independence. Over the last five years, Jo and Zoe have built multiple businesses together—but this episode goes far beyond business. Zoe opens up about her childhood, the challenges she faced growing up in and out of care, the emotional weight of financial insecurity, and how her experiences shaped her relationship with work, success, and trust.

Zoe reflects on how her early life built a sense of self-reliance that has served her—but also cost her. From buying her first house at 19 to closing her bookkeeping practice in 2020, Zoe shares how shame, pride, and practicality have collided in her journey as a businesswoman and mother. This is a rare glimpse into the vulnerability that sits behind many entrepreneurs' stories and a conversation about redefining success, legacy, and balance.

What Listeners Will Learn:

How childhood experiences shaped Zoe’s values and independence

The emotional impact of growing up in care and navigating unstable housing

Why Zoe became an accountant and how the profession changed her life

The real story behind closing her bookkeeping business during lockdown

How shame and resilience intersect in entrepreneurship

Why pricing and flexibility are vital for working parents—especially women

The legacy Zoe hopes to leave for her children and the bookkeeping community

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About us

We're Jo and Zoe and we help bookkeepers find clients, make more money and build profitable businesses they love. Find out about working with us in The Bookkeepers' Collective, at: 6figurebookkeeper.com/collective

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About our Sponsor

This episode of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is sponsored by Xero. Get 90% off your first 6 months by visiting: https://xero5440.partnerlinks.io/6figurebookkeeper

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Promotion

This video contains paid promotion.

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Disclaimer

The information contained in The Bookkeepers' Podcast is provided for information purposes only. The contents of The Bookkeepers' Podcast is not intended to amount to advice and you should not rely on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. Professional advice should be obtained before taking or refraining from taking any action as a result of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast. The 6 Figure Bookkeeper Ltd disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on any of the contents of the Bookkeepers' Podcast.