Financial Snickens

Ever consider hosting a podcast? Podcasts continue to gain popularity and bring in new listeners daily, which can translate to new customers for savvy business owners. 

In this episode, I dive into the many reasons small business owners should start a podcast, how podcasts attract an audience you might not otherwise reach, and how podcasts are content gold mines.     

In this episode, you’ll also hear: 

Must-listen moments:  

[00:01:23] It provides a platform that you can share your expertise easily, give your insights and experiences with a broader audience by creating valuable content that resonates with your target market. 

[00:02:09] This can enhance your credibility and establish your business as a thought leader, and it also can help you to differentiate from your competitors. 

[00:06:07] By providing valuable content and maintaining a regular publishing schedule, you could actually build brand loyalty and ensure that your business is remembered when it matters most. 

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com 

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected] 

Connect with us on social media! 

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial 

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/ 

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/ 

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Spooky times are best for Halloween, not your financial journey! Learning to navigate different accounting terms can help fortify your financial future and avoid frightful surprises along the way. 

In this episode, I demystify common financial jargon so you can know how to make the numbers work for you!      

In this episode, you’ll also hear: 

Must-listen moments:  

[00:01:28] EBITDA stands for Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, and Amortization. This is the way to figure out how much money your business is making before certain expenses are deducted. 

[00:01:25] Liquidity, it's the potion of instant gold…it's like having the power to summon treasure whenever you need it. 

[00:04:19] And remember, that even though these terms might seem intimidating, they are simply the keys that unlock the secrets of your business's financial story. 

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com 

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected] 

Connect with us on social media! 

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial 

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/ 

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/ 

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Don’t wait until April to prepare your taxes! If you do, chances are you’re not getting all the tax breaks you deserve or saving as much money as if you planned in advance. 

In this episode, I outline why it’s beneficial to plan for tax season months before Tax Day and different approaches to tax planning for your business.     

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:00:52] Did you also know that tax planning is one of the most important aspects of financial management?

[00:01:25] We strongly recommend that you have a tax planning meeting with your CPA in October or November to take advantage of the actions your CPA suggests.

[00:04:00] There's a few different approaches to tax planning. You can do it yourself, or you can hire a professional tax planner. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

IRS Website 

https://www.irs.gov/

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Having your financial records in order is crucial to keeping your business on track for success. 

In this episode, I focus on tips for cleaning up your QuickBooks Online and ensuring your account is free of errors and duplicate transactions.    

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:00:22] QuickBooks Online can be a lifesaver to small business owners, but only if it's in good shape.

[00:03:11] If you’re seeing any of these issues, take action. Waiting until next year can leave you with less options for the current year and can also cause huge problems later.

[00:04:40] Sometimes the easiest way to know that something is wrong is to reconcile your account.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Taking a vacation can create unnecessary stress if you don’t prepare your team to properly plan for your absence. 

In this episode, I offer helpful ways to ensure your business runs smoothly when you are out of the office. 

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:01:52] And then part of the planning process is to go through the tasks that you are responsible for and then create a process around those tasks and then delegate them.

[00:04:30] I'm going to let key clients know that I'm going to be away, here's the key person for you to contact. So that they know I'm away, and they appreciate the communication, and who can they reach out to.

[00:05:45] Most importantly, relax and unplug while you're away. You will come back feeling so much better. You will feel that you are rejuvenated, you've invested in yourself. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

Harvard Business Review - The Leadership Odyssey

https://hbr.org/2023/05/the-leadership-odyssey

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

As a leader, are you doing what’s always worked for you or are you asking for feedback and embracing change? Recognizing the need to improve your leadership style is a skill in itself. 

In this episode, I highlight three transformative stages called “departure, voyage, and return” from a recent Harvard Business Review article focused on taking your leadership journey to the next level. 

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:00:52] What has got you to where you are right now is not going to get you to the next step in your journey, and you have to really think about what your leadership skills are like and who you are as a person.

[00:03:15] So what behavior that needs to change has to be sustainable. And once you figure out what the issue is, then you can move into this stage called the voyage, where typically you have to figure out someone to help you, or you have to create a new context for learning.

[00:07:51] And another key factor in this part of the journey is you have the desire to share your learning. You want to teach others what you've learned and in turn, make your workplace grow emotionally.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Harvard Business Review - The Leadership Odyssey

https://hbr.org/2023/05/the-leadership-odyssey

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Some kids start lemonade stands while others sell chocolate bars for different school fundraisers, and these experiences might just launch the next big business owner.   

In this episode, I recall my own entrepreneurial journey and how permission to think outside the box planted a seed that’s still influencing my professional career. 

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:02:00] What it got me inspired about, was it was a thrill to own my own business and be in charge and helping people and getting paid for it.

[00:03:09] But he allowed me space to be me. He gave me the permission to think outside the box, and this fostered such a creative sense for me that it really allowed me to think of things that weren't being done.

[00:05:43] It's a testament to the power of childhood experiences and the power of great teachers. It also reminds us that the seeds of entrepreneurship can be sown at the most unexpected times and places. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

Shawn Achor - Happiness Advantage - https://www.shawnachor.com/books/happiness-advantage/

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Finding joy in your work is a lot easier when you have leaders that create a positive and supportive culture. 

In this episode, I dial in on what keeps employees happy and ready to come to work, and game-changing advice to incorporate the “4 G’s” into your work life. 

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:00:59] Company culture is one of the strongest forces for happy employees. And it's the number one thing why employees stay with a company and the leaders are the ones who are creating the culture and delivering the message.

[00:02:00] As a leader, you need to have faith in your employees and constantly talk about all the good things they're doing.

[00:06:11] Even if you're in a situation where your manager isn't practicing the four G's and you're the employee, you can start and it's contagious.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Shawn Achor - Happiness Advantage - https://www.shawnachor.com/books/happiness-advantage/

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Networking can be intimidating but events held by your local Chamber of Commerce can make connecting with other professionals easier. 

In this episode, I shed light on my experience with my Chamber of Commerce and why you should consider joining yours to better serve your community while growing your business.  

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:01:39] You are not there at these events to talk about your business. You're actually there to talk about how you can help others. And when you offer to help without asking anything in return, that's when you make really strong relationships and become part of the community. 

[00:03:09] My business exploded from being part of the chamber and being active in it. And it wasn't because I was the smartest or best accountant there, but it was because when people met me, they saw somebody who serves others.

[00:06:33] Through workshops and networking opportunities, you can learn from successful business leaders and gain insight and apply those strategies and help contribute to your business growth.

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services

Time is money so it’s always important to enhance efficiency when you’re trying to run a business. 

In this episode, I share our current favorite online tools that can help streamline your business operations and save you time and money.   

In this episode, you’ll also hear:

Must-listen moments: 

[00:01:43] The result is that it takes pictures of each screen and it transcribes the actions that you took, and it highlights where your cursor is so you don't have to do anything except for do a little bit of editing, and a process that would have taken at least 20 minutes…is now down to 30 seconds.

[00:04:24] You can also pay bills through it and set up an approval system…and it's really streamlining all of the accounts payable side and receipt collection, which is always a big pain for business owners and anyone who works with employees, even yourself.  

[00:06:33] We've been impressed with what Chat GPT comes back with, and we've been able to use these well-crafted responses to be able to answer questions that would normally take us a lot of time and create some angst, too, but it allows us to be professional and give quick responses. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

ScribeHow - https://scribehow.com/

Corpay One - https://cp.corpayone.com/

ChapGPT - https://chat.openai.com/

Visit our website and click on the Let’s Talk button: http://www.firststepsfinancial.com

Reach out to Alisa: [email protected]

Connect with us on social media!

FB - https://www.facebook.com/FirstStepsFinancial

IG- https://www.instagram.com/firststepsfinancial/

LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-steps-financial/

Podcast audio/video editing and show notes by  http://www.podcastabundance.com/services